Jese a big hit
WENGER’S LEFT FRUSTRATED AS HOT RODRIGUEZ MAKES A MARK
RAP artist Jese Rodriguez hit all the right notes for Stoke last night as Arsenal suffered a frustrating defeat.
Jese, recently signed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, scored the only goal of the game on his debut for Mark Hughes’ side in the 47th minute of a tight encounter.
That ended Arsenal’s winning streak in the Premier League which had stretched back to the end of last season.
The Gunners went into last night’s match having won six league games in a row.
If they had won last night, it would have been the first time since April 2015 that they had won seven in succession.
But Arsenal left Stoke furious that they had not at least picked up a point on their trip to the Potteries.
They were convinced that record-signing Alexandre Lacazette’s 73rd-minute goal should NOT have been disallowed for offside by the assistant referee.
Former England star Chris Waddle, working at the match for BBC 5Live, said: “He was onside – bang on. He was not offside for me.”
ARSENAL must have feared they faced a rap in the Potteries.
After all, Stoke have signed a rap artist in Jese Rodriguez whose talent is not confined to football.
And sure enough, Jese – on loan from Paris Saint-Germain – delivered a debut goal to become an instant hit at Stoke.
But Arsenal appeared to be robbed of an equaliser in the 73rd minute when Alexandre Lacazette fired home, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside.
The Frenchman looked onside and in further late drama, substitute Olivier Giroud headed just wide in added time.
Stoke’s final home match last season ended in a 4-1 defeat against the Gunners.
And from the start they were in the mood to make amends for that beating.
Their approach reflected manager Mark Hughes’ pre-match words of: “I hope Arsenal coming to town shows what Stoke are all about.”
Well, Stoke’s start almost produced a third-minute goal for their poster boy, Jese.
Darren Fletcher produced a driving run from midfield and a pass to the former Real Madrid starlet.
Jese’s first touch was assured but his shot was blocked by Arsenal keeper Petr Cech who was quick to leave his line.
The Spaniard then produced a thrilling breakaway run, which he ended by setting up a chance for another Stoke new boy Maxim Choupo-Moting.
However this time Cech was able to make a comfortable save from a weak finish.
But Arsenal were soon in their stride too. They had two penalty appeals turned down for handball against Erik Pieters and a challenge by Kurt Zouma on Hector Bellerin.
Stoke keeper Jack Butland also had to make fine saves from Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey. The latter’s effort followed a perfectly-delivered free-kick by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
A lively battle then saw Ryan Shawcross head over from a good position for Stoke following a fine cross by Choupo-Moting.
And at the other end, Butland held a long-range attempt by Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka.
But just two minutes into the second half Stoke were ahead through Jese.
Substitute Saido Berahino, on for the injured Xheridan Shaqiri, rolled a pass into his path and the Spaniard produced a fine left-foot finish across Cech and into the far corner of the net.
When Arsenal tried to hit back quickly they found Butland in commanding and decisive form.
Berahino, however, almost increased the Potters’ lead in the 62nd minute with a diving header which Cech turned over the bar.
But Arsenal were soon applying pressure again and Butland saved at the feet of Welbeck, who should have scored when he burst through.
There was more frustration for Arsenal when Lacazette lashed the ball home only to have his effort harshly disallowed for offside.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sent on three substitutes in an attempt to rescue the situation – Giroud, Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi but Stoke defended their lead heroically.