An horrific injury to Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey overshadowed the Potters league game with the Gunners, with the hosts sunk by two injury time strikes from the wannabe Champions.
Stoke got into the Gunners face from the off and after two early throw ins were defended well it was third time lucky in the 6th minute as Shawcross got the flick on and Danny Pugh, in for his first league start of the season, stooped to nod in at the far post.
Arsenal struggled to make an impact in the game but the Potters defence had to be on hand twice before the half hour, first Faye had to slide in to stop Eboue before Sorenson tipped Fabregas shot wide of the post to keep the scores level. The lead was nearly doubled on the half hour when, after neat build up play, Whelan saw an effort blocked and Wilkinson scewed his volleyed effort wide of the goal.
The scores were levelled up on thirty two minutes when a cross from Fabregas was nodded across goal and into the far corner by lone striker Bendtner. City tried to strike back instantly but Sidibe, Pugh and Wilkinson all had efforts blocked after Delap skipped past Clichy and put in a dangerous cross.
The second half started with all blood and thunder but few chances created as Stoke had three early corners knocked away whilst both Ramsey and Eboue had penalty claims waved away, with replays showing Ramsey went to ground easy and Eboue just plain dived.
Gunners midfielder Eboue showed what he can do when he stays on his feet on the hour mark as he cut inside before drilling an effort goalwards from 18 yards. Sorenson got down early and got behind the shot.
The game was ebbing and flowing and Fuller forced Almunia into a smart save, getting onto Sidibe's flick on before lashing in a shot.
All this paled into insignificance less than sixty seconds later when a fifty fifty challenge between Shawcross and Ramsey resulted in the Welshman breaking his leg. Shawcross had cut inside of Bendtner before sliding into the tackle, with the Danish stars pull of the defenders shirt, possibly resulting in him arriving a split second late into the tackle. The referee pulled out a straight red card, even though it was just a horrible accident and not a malicious or dangerous tackle, and Shawcross left the field in floods of tears having seen what damage had been caused to Ramsey.
The game died on resumption and the passion was gone with both teams struggling to get their minds back on the game until the closing minutes when Eduardo, under pressure from Collins, fired wide as a sign of intent.
As the game ticked into injury time the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty as a clipped through ball caught the hand of Danny Pugh, who was attempting to pull it towards his body, and Fabregas just sneaked his spot kick inside the post with keeper Sorenson getting his finger tips to it.
The Gunners weren't finished there though and added a third late in injury time when Sorenson parried a Fabregas shot wide where Eduardo siezed on it and squared it to the unmarked Vermalen to tap into an empty net to seal the win.