Deadly Delap missiles gun down Arsenal

STOKE // Long-throw specialist Rory Delap left Arsenal reeling at the Britannia Stadium. Delap, whose deadly deliveries from the touch line have already proved crucial to the Potters' survival hopes, found Ricardo Fuller at the far post after 11 minutes to lay the foundations for a shock victory. Seyi Olofinjana made it two for Stoke in the 72nd minute and again Delap was the central figure.

It was another long throw into the area and Ryan Shawcross nodded on to Olofinjana, who bundled the ball past Manuel Almunia via two touches from his chest. Gael Clichy grabbed a goal back with a long range shot into the bottom corner in the closing seconds but it was too little too late. It was a case of bad to worse for Arsenal after the dramatic 4-4 draw with Tottenham in midweek and a red card for Robin van Persie, coupled with injuries to striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott made it a grim day indeed for Arsene Wenger.

Stoke's first goal followed good interplay between Fuller and Mamady Sidibe and gave Delap a first chance to cause havoc - and he duly obliged. The midfielder's missile throw arrowed wickedly towards the far post where Fuller got the better of Kolo Toure to glance home from close range. Delap again caused problems after 20 minutes, looping a header goalwards after a mis-hit punch from Almunia. Only a Clichy clearance off the line kept the score at 1-0 as the Gunners' defence started to wilt under the pressure.

Van Persie added to Wenger's woes when he petulantly charged at Thomas Sorensen, knocking him into the net and earning a red card for his trouble. * PA Sport