The Russia international scored the opener and Aaron Ramsey added a second in the win, which came in Wenger's 500th league game in charge, as Wenger's team climbed to third in the table ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who play Everton tomorrow.

Wenger's striking options were limited today by injuries to Theo Walcott (hamstring), Robin van Persie (ankle), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Eduardo, who was a late withdrawal with a thigh problem.

Those injuries caused Wenger to turn to Arshavin, who led the line from start to finish.

The former Zenit St Petersburg playmaker usually plays a supporting role behind the main striker but scored the Gunners' opener and won a first-half penalty, which was missed by Cesc Fabregas, up front on his own.

Wenger was impressed with the 28-year-old's contribution and may use him more in that role in the absence of recognised strikers Bendtner and Van Persie, who is out until April.

"I don't think he was a big fanatic to play centre forward but I'm convinced he can play there because he has good body power, good movement and technique," Wenger said.

"He made intelligent movements and it worked today. He got a goal but could have had two or three and overall he did very well.

"I have to try it again to see if it works, at home and away from home, and to find a balance because I have many technical players around the team - (Tomas) Rosicky, (Samir) Nasri, (Cesc) Fabregas and (Emmanuel) Eboue.

"They all can penetrate from deep positions and that's needed when you have a player like him.

"We'll see. At the moment we don't have much choice, of course.

"Walcott is out, Bendtner is out and Robin van Persie as well."

mfl

Wenger's side were effectively ruled out of the title race after last week's 3-0 thumping by Chelsea.

That defeat came on the back of a 1-0 loss at Sunderland and Arsenal also lost to Manchester City in the Carling Cup in midweek.

The 60-year-old admitted confidence in the camp had taken a hit from the defeats but today the north London side looked confident, although they should have probably won the game by more.

"The win was needed," said Wenger, whose side face Liverpool next week.

"If we had not won today you could question that we have been touched mentally, but the fact that we won today was very important.

"We had a good first half. We should have been two or three up. You can tell that recent defeats played on our mind in the second half.

"We played more restricted but we didn't give any more chances away today and secured the second goal that got us the win.

"But you could see how we have a game based on initiative and if our confidence drops then we are in danger so it's important not to lose confidence."

Aaron Ramsey sealed the win in the second half with a cool finish and Fabregas also missed a penalty on his 250th appearance for the club.

Arsenal dominated most of the match but the win was tempered by the news Wenger could be without several key players for the Liverpool game.

William Gallas (hamstring), Eboue (muscle), Armand Traore (hamstring) and Arshavin (ankle) all picked up knocks during the match but Wenger is hopeful they will be back for next weekend.

Czech Republic midfielder Rosicky was also withdrawn at half-time with a groin injury and he is definitely out until at least next week.

Stoke barely threatened the Arsenal goal during the match and Potters manager Tony Pulis admitted he was left in awe at Arshavin's performance.

"I thought Arshavin was brilliant today," he said.

"His movement was brilliant. They played him up front from the start and that gave him more room and license to roam.

"He caused both our centre-halves problems from start to finish. He's a great player."

Pulis also believes the Gunners still have a chance of winning their first title since 2004.

"There's enough points in it for them to win it, there's enough there for anyone to come and win it," he said.

"It's still wide open for me."