The striker netted a brace and provided an assist to open the goalscoring for Arsene Wenger's charges.

 

The Gunners drew first blood only six minutes into the clash. After a set-piece that Stoke failed to deal with, Alexis Sanchez got the ball and sent a superb cross into the area for Laurent Koscielny who headed home from close range.

 

Sanchez turned scorer in the 33rd minute as he netted the hosts' second of the day. The Chilean played a quick one-two with Rosicky on the left before slipping into the penalty area where he beat Ryan Shawcross and Asmir Begovic to find the bottom corner of the goal.

 

Shortly after the break Sanchez completed his brace as Arsenal secured the three points. The Gunners won a free-kick and it was Sanchez who thumped his shot low, deflecting off the wall to beat Begovic at his near post.

 

Arsenal could have made it 4-0 in the 86th minute when Santi Cazorla played the ball through for Mesut Ozil who only had the keeper to beat, but his powerful shot went wide of the near post as the hosts cruised to victory.