Ozil guides Arsenal top as Gunners outclass Stoke

London - Mesut Ozil's crafty header inspired Arsenal to a 3-1 comeback victory over Stoke City on Saturday as Arsene Wenger's side supplanted Chelsea at the Premier League summit.

Charlie Adam's penalty put Stoke ahead at the Emirates Stadium, but Theo Walcott equalised before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain teed up Ozil to float a header over Lee Grant in the 49th minute.

Alex Iwobi completed victory to lift Arsenal top on goal difference above Chelsea, who goes in search of a ninth consecutive win against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Manchester City, four points off the pace in fourth place, visit struggling champion Leicester City later on Saturday, while third-place Liverpool entertains third-bottom West Ham United on Sunday.

Arsenal went into its meeting with Stoke on the back of one-sided wins over West Ham and Basel, but the first half hour of the match suggested its luck might be about to turn.

First, Shkodran Mustafi was forced off by injury, which saw Hector Bellerin make an earlier than expected return from an ankle problem as a substitute.

Then, in the 29th minute, Adam celebrated his 31st birthday by giving Stoke the lead from the spot after Granit Xhaka had caught Joe Allen with his elbow.

The decision drew a furious reaction from Arsenal manager Wenger, who appeared to push the fourth official.

But Arsenal levelled in the 42nd minute when Walcott neatly converted Bellerin's cross at the near post for his 10th goal of the season before Ozil put the home side in front.

Arsenal needed a two-goal win to claim top spot and the crucial third goal duly arrived 15 minutes from time when Nigerian winger Iwobi gathered Alexis Sanchez's pass before drilling home.