Arsenal… Title contenders? Who would have thought it? Despite a disastrous start against Aston Villa, four games into the Premier League season the Gunners are perched near the top and there is renewed optimism around the club. Today they have the opportunity to fly to the summit as they welcome Stoke to North London. Welcome to live coverage of Sunday’s clash at the Emirates.

That's better from the visitors. They break down the right and whip in a delivery into the penalty area. Bacary Sagna heads clear.

Stoke take a breather as Begovic delays taking a free-kick inside his own half.

Arsenal passing it around with real intent. Stoke, to their credit, are defending resolutely though.

Great play from Ozil who plays a disugised pass into the path of Gnabry. He goes down in the area; it's the cleanest tackle you'll see but that doesn't stop half of the stadium appealing for a penalty.

Pretty cynical challenge from Steven N'Zonzi on Wilshere. Ref Mike Dean gives him a stern talking to.

Stoke are happy to have the ball on the deck but so far their opponents are pushing them back with ease.

Update on Walcott: Whilst he is unwell, the reason he withdrew from the starting XI is allegedly a mild abdominal injury.

Confident start from Gnabry who drifts in from the right wing, travelling a good 30 metres before offloading the ball.

The Emirates is alive with noise. As it stands, the Gunners are going top of the table by two points.

Gnabry, Walcott's late replacement, breaks down the right and finds Ozil who is dispossessed.

Stoke look stunned by the early goal as Begovic almost gets caught napping by Giroud.

"One Aaron Ramsey, there's only one Aaron Ramsey", chant the home fans. What a start to the season for the lad.

GOAL! Arsenal win a free-kick 25 yards out. And it's the new boy Mesut Ozil who is standing over it... The German forces a save from Asmir Begovic but who is alive to the situation? None other than Ramsey who fires in the rebound. The Welshman is prolific!

Ramsey coming face-to-face with the man who broke his leg: Ryan Shawcross. Unsurprisingly, lots of early boos for the Stoke man.

Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey exchange passes on the edge of the Stoke penalty area but the latter can't quite pick out Olivier Giroud.

Arsenal enjoy some early possession and force an early free-kick inside the Stoke half. Assured start from the hosts.

This is it. The referee blows his whistle and Stoke get us up and running at the Emirates. Let's hope it's a cracker...

The teams are loitering in the tunnel which can only mean one thing – Arsenal vs. Stoke is imminent. Got an opinion on today’s match? Then get in touch via Twitter (@BenSnowball) and, if I can master the imbed tool, we’ll get some of your thoughts into the commentary.

And here are the pre-match words of Mark Hughes: “You can't question the quality and ability of Arsenal; they are playing well and winning games. We are playing exceptionally well too, and in my opinion it is as good a time as any to go down there and play them. Lots of clubs invest huge amounts of money, and people will be thinking that by bringing Ozil in Arsenal will be challenging this year."

Change to the Arsenal line-up... Theo Walcott is OUT with illness. Serge Gnabry steps up to start in his place.

Let's get the thoughts of Mr Wenger: “Ozil has integrated well, and been well accepted. I think he is not at the top physically yet, overall we are very pleased to have him with us, but he will demand a bit of time to adjust to the vigorous body challenges he will face here in the Premier league. Once he has done that, he will be even stronger.”