Arsenal's wait for silverware will almost certainly stretch to six years after a defeat that will see them eliminated from the title race if Manchester United avoid defeat against Chelsea later Sunday.
Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant set Stoke on their way to ensuring their unbeaten home record in 2011 remains intact to leave Arsene Wenger finally admitting defeat in his bid to catch Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti.
Robin van Persie arrowed in a consolation for the Gunners nine minutes from time but Jon Walters produced an instant response after shambolic Arsenal defending that summed up the club's season.
Stoke's abrasive approach has infuriated Arsenal in the past, culminating in the much-publicised challenge on Aaron Ramsey from Ryan Shawcross last February that only served to inflame relations between Wenger and Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
And any thoughts Wenger might have had of Stoke minds drifting towards their Wembley date with Manchester City next weekend will have been dismissed by Pulis refusing to make any team changes.
The bad blood was demonstrated by Pulis' refusal to shake hands with his opponent before the game but there were no real fireworks on the pitch in a dour first half.
Van Persie blasted wastefully wide after six minutes, following a clever through ball from Ramsey, but they did not look like a team desperate for three points.
And they fell behind just before the half hour, with Stoke's first real meaningful attack.
Pennant bent in a delicious cross and Jones easily converted his fifth goal in six games from close range as the visiting defence dithered. "1-0 to the rugby team" chanted the Stoke supporters.
The hosts were further ahead five minutes after a goal that even Wenger could have been forced to grudgingly praise.
Pennant picked up a botched Ramsey pass 40 yards from goal and was allowed to run on unopposed before his shot took a substantial deflection off Johan Djourou to loop over Wojciech Szczesny.
Incredibly, Stoke could have increased their lead barely a minute later when Walters struck the crossbar.
The only headache Pulis will have picked up from this game was the loss of defender Robert Huth early in the second period with what appeared a shoulder injury, making him a doubt for Wembley.
Arsenal did battle valiantly to produce a snarl of defiance and van Persie beat Asmir Begovic with a low drive but Walters was given far too much room a minute later to clinch a sweet victory.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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