Gunners crush Potters

Arsenal swept aside Stoke 4-1 with three quick first-half goals to sign off in style from a difficult Barclays Premier League campaign. An own goal from James Beattie, making his 300th league appearance, was swiftly followed up by a penalty from Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby's bullet header. Stoke, safe from any last-day relegation drama, pulled a goal back from the spot through Ricardo Fuller, only for Rory Delap to then gift Van Persie his second four minutes before half-time. Arsenal's opener came after Cesc Fabregas played a quick corner to Van Persie, who slipped the Arsenal captain back in towards the near post. His ball across the face of goal was knocked into the net by Beattie to give the Gunners the lead after 10 minutes. Before Stoke could recover, they conceded a penalty when Shawcross brought down Van Persie. The Dutchman stepped up to score from the spot, his 19th goal of the season. Arsenal were in overdrive - and moved 3-0 ahead after 18 minutes. Van Persie whipped over a deep free-kick from the right, which Diaby dispatched with a bullet header on the penalty spot. After 31 minutes, Stoke were awarded a penalty when Denilson tripped Fuller, who sent rookie Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone the wrong way to pull a goal back. A terrible error of judgment from Delap handed Arsenal a fourth when his back header lacked enough power to get through to the keeper. Van Persie gratefully accepted the gift, collecting the ball expertly on his chest before swivelling to fire it past Sorensen after 41 minutes. After the break Diaby had the best chance when his downward header flew wide as Arsenal maintained the pressure, but had to be content with just the four.