Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Barclays Premier League - as it happened

Full time: Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal go back to the top of the Premier League table but they are unable to see off a resilient Stoke. There were chances at both end, particularly in the second half, but Petr Cech and Jack Butland kept their sides in it. Not a classic by any stretch.

Well that brings an end to our live Premier League coverage for the day. We're back with coverage of the FA Cup replays in mid-week but until then, goodbye.

Charlie Adam is on for Arnautovic and he almost creates and opening with a crafty cross which is header away by Monreal. Whelan's shot is deflected over from the corner Ramsey heads Walters' header off the line before Cech saves from Afellay. Belated drama. Calum Chambers on for the Gunners, who look to shut up shop.

Glen Johnson makes a foray into the Arsenal final third but he can't release an attack and the chance is gone. Six minutes left to find a winner.

Mark Hughes not happy with the latest foul given against his team, but in truth he will have been impressed with how Stoke have largely kept Arsenal at arms length.

Another corner for Arsenal but after Campbell knocks it back in, Koscielny's foul sees Stoke survive. Less than a quarter of an hour to go.

One goal in 160+ minutes of Premier League football today and it is starting to take its tole on my patience. Really has not got going this game despite an encouraging start to the half. These are the sorts of games you have to win if you're going to be a champion or finish in a European spot though, ambitions both of these sides have.

Stoke much better in this second half and Arnautovic tests a soft Arsenal centre with a fine cross which is headed behind. Bojan off and Mame Birm Diouf on for stoke. Finally, a real presence in attack.

Petr Cech comes to Arsenal's rescue. Arnautovic feeds Joselu who is denied by a fine save from Cech and the 'keeper saves from Bojan on the follow up. Really top class from the three-time Premier League winner.

Much more open game in this second period with Stoke and Arsenal playing quicker and more incisively. Another penalty appeal is turned down from Pawson will Wollscheid and Giroud involved again. Arsene Wenger not happy.

Theo Walcott runs down the right but is stopped by Wollscheid, who then takes down Olivier Giroud off the ball but referee Craig Pawson is unmoved. Bit more entertainment in this second half.

Just a minute gone in the second half and the Jack Butland-Olivier Giroud rivalry continues, with the England stopper denying the Frenchman with a fine low save from a header. Great work.

Teams out for the second half and there are no changes. Hopefully there is a change to the flow, or lack thereof, of the game.

Half time: Stoke 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal have had plenty of issues at the Britannia in previous years but no such problems today though they are yet to hit the front. Jack Butland denied Olivier Giroud with the best opening of the game, otherwise it has been largely forgettable with the absence of Xherdan Shaqiri leaving a gaping hole in the Stoke attack.

Perhaps the cold has finally got to these players because the games today have hardly been ones to get excited about. Very little going on at the Britannia as we enter one minute of stoppage time. Take my advice, go make a cuppa.

Bojan now gets free down the left comes inside on his left food but can't get enough curl on his low effort to test Petr Cech. On Joselu header to save for the Gunners stopper in this opening 35 minutes.

Stoke look a little lost without the artist that is Xherdan Shaqiri, with Arnautovic not able to find his form while Bojan looks overcome by the responsibility of leading the home side's attack. Arsenal hardly free-flowing either, but lookng far surer of themselves.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been quiet so far but he tests Butland with a fine effort after shifting the ball onto his right foot. The England man has another go but it strikes Laurent Koscielny and deflects wide.

Arsenal pressing hard even if Jack Butland has far been protected by the Stoke back four. Ramsey, who seems to have recovered from his hamstring problem, has hit shot blocked behind. On the break Stoke have a three vs two but they give the ball away at the crucial moment. Not much flow to the game but plenty to keep those at the britannia entertained.

Ibrahim Afellay gets free of the Arsenal midfield and in a central position shoots wide. Best chance of the game comes for Giroud, played through by Campbell but Butland was equal to it.

Aaron Ramsey had pulled up with a hamstring problem, which has dogged him in recent months. The Welshman has been inundated with boos in this game, but he might earn some respite now with an early departure. Will keep an eye on that one.

First shot in anger from either team and Marko Arnautovic takes aim but blasts the ball high and wide. Not a vintage opening 10 minutes.

Seven minutes in and the defining feature of this game has been the booing of Aaron Ramsey, who you will remember six years ago suffered a near career-wrecking broken leg at the hands of Ryan Shawcross. The reception is due to the criticism Shawcross [also unfairly] gets from the Gunners support. So it is all childish in other words.

Referee Craig Pawson resists from showing an early yellow card to Philipp Wollscheid as he clearly blocks Theo Walcott in the second minute. The subsequent Arsenal free-kick comes to nothing but decent start from the visitors.

Not much talk of what is on the line for Stoke this afternoon. Victory would see them extend their advantage over Crystal Palace, who lost to Man City yesterday, an go level on points with fifth place West Ham. They would need a six-goal win to go above the Hammers by tonight. We're under way at the Britannia.

Teams on their way at the Britannia. Only one win for Arsenal in seven visits to the Potteries and today is another big test of their claim as genuine title favourites. Big afternoon in the title race.

Full time at Anfield and Manchester United have prevailed by a goal to nil at Liverpool. Now time to turn attention to the Britannia Stadium where Arsenal have been travel-sick in the past, against a Stoke side who are reinventing themselves under Mark Hughes.

Into the closing stages of the game at Anfield and once the game has reached a conclusion we will start our build up to the match between Stoke and Arsenal. Around seven minutes to go in Merseyside.

Stokes are unchanged from the win over Norwich City in mid-week, with as mentioned previously Cameron and Shaqiri both missing.

Very interesting team news from both sides. Arsenal are without both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, with both players presumably held back for the game against Chelsea next week.

Teams:

Stoke: Butland, Shawcross, Pieters, Wollscheid, Johnson, Walters, Arnautovic, Afellay, Whelan, Bojan, Joselu

Arsenal: Cech, Mertesacker, Monreal, Koscielny, Bellerín, Flamini, Walcott, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Giroud

Arsenal could recall Alexis Sanchez for the trip to Stoke and new signing Mohamed Elneny could make his debut. As previously mentioned, Mesut Ozil has not travelled ahead of next weekend's visit of Chelsea.

Stoke are without Xherdan Shaqiri but Marko Arnautovic is back. Geoff Cameron misses out again with a hamstring problem.

Some breaking teams news from the Britannia Stadium before we get the line-ups and that is that Arsenal have travelled without Mesut Ozil, who is rested. Big call from Arsene Wenger.

Teams will be confirmed any minute now but until then let's have a look at how both teams might line-up...

Arsenal can return to the top of the Premier League with a victory this afternoon, but they travel to the scene of many of their worst hours in the top flight. Just one win has come from seven visits to the Britannia Stadium, where the Gunners have often been bullied and battered by Stoke teams of the past. Mark Hughes' side are a different proposition these days but expect them to test Arsenal's title credentials, having already beaten Chelsea and Manchester City this season. Teams news on the way.