An early goal from French centre-back Sebastien Squillachi was enough for Arsenal to move to within a point of Manchester United at the top of the EPL.

But the three points over Stoke may have come at a cost as key figures Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott both left the game early due to injury, the Spaniard with a tight hamstring and Walcott stretchered off with a sprained ankle.

Arsenal started at an electrifying pace and Walcott struck the inside of the post with a right-foot shot in the game’s opening attack.

And the Gunners took an eighth-minute lead, Squillachi heading home from four yards after Nicklas Bendtner guided Jack Wilshere’s deep corner back into the danger area.

When Fabregas was replaced after 14 minutes, Arsenal lost their early momentum and the visitors came closest to scoring before half-time when John Carew’s right-foot 25-yard volley was acrobatically parried by Gunners keeper Wojciech Szscesny.

There were few clear-cut chances in a more even second half, especially after Walcott’s 71^st-minute departure.

Bendtner and Samir Nasri came closest for Arsenal while Ryan Shawcross’s deflected shot, Robert Huth’s header from Rory Delap’s long throw and Jermaine Pennant’s stoppage-time free-kick into the side-netting were Stoke’s best efforts.