Stoke-on-Trent, UK: Stoke City’s new loan signing Jese made an immediate impact by scoring the only goal as his side stunned Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal 1-0 yesterday.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who only arrived in England this week, started and finished the move that saw Mark Hughes’s men add to the question marks that are already building around Arsenal.
Jese, who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, surged through midfield in the 47th minute and exchanged passes with Sadio Berahino before slotting an impressive finish past Petr Cech.
He had already set home pulses racing, having almost made a dream start to his Premier League career after just three minutes.
Veteran midfielder Darren Fletcher played a fantastic through-ball behind the Arsenal back three and Cech was required to sprint from his line to block Jese’s shot from a tight angle.
It was an attack that buoyed the atmosphere around the bet365 Stadium, mindful that their home campaign had ended in a dismal 4-1 defeat against the same opponents three months previously.
As the half wore on it looked as if there might be a danger of a similar outcome this time as Arsenal’s pace and movement began to cause problems.
On 16 minutes, Alexandre Lacazette’s pass played in Aaron Ramsey, but a slight nudge from Mame Diouf was enough to put off the Welshman, whose shot was blocked well by goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Moments later, a superb lobbed pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain landed on the foot of Danny Welbeck, whose volley was kept out by the diving Butland.
Arsenal appealed, unconvincingly, for a penalty after Diouf and Hector Bellerin tangled.