London: Arsenal regained top spot in the Premier League on goal difference from Leicester City, after a fiercely-contested goalless draw at Stoke City on Sunday. The second half was far more exciting than the first with both teams creating chances in an end-to-end duel which saw both goalkeepers make some superb saves.

Jack Butland made three important stops for Stoke, from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud in the first half, and from Giroud in the second, with Petr Cech twice denying Marko Arnautovic after the break.

Cech also reacted brilliantly after saving from the Austrian to thwart a follow-up shot from Bojan Krcic at the end of a swift Stoke counter-attack. Stoke went close to a winner in the dying minutes only for Aaron Ramsey and Cech combining to clear two goal-bound attempts.

Arsene Wenger's side missed the creativity of Mesut Ozil, who was injured, but had chances to win the game only to be denied by Butland. Stoke finished strongly as Jon Walters had a late header cleared off the line by Aaron Ramsey. Stoke remained seventh on the table.

Arsenal have started 2016 well poised to challenge for a first league title in 12 years, and key to their impressive form this season has been Ozil.

The German tops the Premier League assist chart with 16, so his absence on Sunday because of a foot injury was undoubtedly a big blow for the Gunners. It did, however, provided Oxlade-Chamberlain with the chance to step up.

He certainly looked like he had a point to prove, forcing Butland into a fine one-handed save with a curling strike midway through the first half. However, he was also guilty of losing possession at times and became increasingly anonymous as the game wore on. Arsenal may never get as good a chance to win the league as they will this season, with the challenge from their traditional title rivals faltering.

Wenger's side had lost just once in the eight games, prior to the trip to Stoke, but Gunners fans might have been forgiven for feeling a little uneasy about their recent away form - they have now picked up just six points from a possible 18.

In the opening stages of the game, however, they were second best, struggling to match Stoke's neat passing. They improved as the game wore on, but not by much. Giroud's header - well saved by Butland - was their only effort on target in the second half.

Stoke's attacking talent had, quite rightly, been getting plenty of praise this season, but Butland had been just as impressive in the goal. His total of 81 is more saves than any other goalkeeper has made in the Premier League this season, and he was key to Stoke's frustrating of Arsenal.