Substitute Lukas Podolski’s deflected free-kick earned Arsenal victory and left battling Stoke City deflated at Emirates Stadium.
Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic produced a series of fine saves before Podolski struck in the closing stages.
Begovic denied Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from five-yards, kept out Laurent Koscielny’s header before saving Oxlade-Chamberlain’s angled drive.
But Podolski’s set-piece went in off Geoff Cameron to ease the frustration.
