Arsenal shines in one-sided victory vs. Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal supporters insistent that Arsene Wenger failed in not buying a striker during the summer transfer window were temporarily appeased Saturday, as both Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud scored in a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

A dominant, typically possession-based effort by the Gunners was too much for a Stoke side lacking an identity, as the Potters ceded 68 percent possession to Arsenal in hopes of attacking on the counter.

Stoke were as limp in attack as they were bereft of creativity, as the once defensive-oriented side under Tony Pulis seems to lack a purpose with Mark Hughes and his slew of attack-minded summer signings.

Mesut Ozil continued to cement his place as one of the Premier League's best passers, as a 31st-minute 30-yard pass over the top of the Stoke defence was cradled by the pacey Walcott, who calmly slotted the ball between Jack Butland's legs to punctuate a commanding first half.

Heading into the break, Arsenal had registered 13 shots, six of which were on target, littering Butland's goal with both long-range efforts and patented "walk-the-ball-in" efforts.

Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel continued to forge a near-impenetrable partnership in Per Mertesacker's absence, and Alexis Sanchez appears to have regained the form that made him one of the league's standout players last season.

The intricate passing schemes between he, Ozil, and Santi Cazorla left a Stoke defence stupefied and disoriented.

Never in doubt, the result was sealed with an 85th-minute header by Giroud on a free-kick from Cazorla, giving him his second goal of the campaign to share the team lead with summer signing Own Goal.

A vital three points for an Arsenal side who limped out of the gates sees the Gunners move to second in the table on 10 points - five back of a seemingly unstoppable Manchester City side.