NEW Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had a further reason to be cheerful yesterday as his beloved Arsenal side registered their first home victory of the new Premier League season by defeating Stoke City 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the game surrounded manager Arsene Wenger’s lack of activity in the transfer window and the absence of a new centre-forward, but he maintains his belief that there is enough firepower in his squad.

The hosts went close to breaking the deadlock as early as the third minute when Alexis saw a header brilliantly tipped onto the post by Potters goalkeeper Jack Butland, before Walcott blasted over the rebound from close range.

The Chilean forward was denied by the woodwork once again a few minutes later as the Gunners looked to capitalise on their strong start to the game with their first home goal of the new season.

Butland was called into action further into the first half as he saved from Laurent Koscielny and Santi Cazorla, but he was unable to keep out Walcott’s effort, which broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.

Francis Coquelin won the ball back in midfield with a superb challenge and that allowed Mesut Ozil to spot the run of the England international and pick him out with a sublime pass.

The Gunners No 14 shrugged off the challenge from Marc Muniesa to score his first goal of the season.

Stoke gradually grew into the game after the interval and club record signing Xherdan Shaqiri forced Petr Cech into a routine stop and then saw two efforts on goal blocked by some last-ditch defending from the home side.

Ozil and Walcott both saw efforts blocked by Butland before the visitors were incensed over a challenge by Gabriel Paulista on Marko Arnautovic, with suggestions that the Brazilian defender used an elbow.

Substitute Giroud should have made the game safe just seconds after coming on but he dragged an effort wide of the far post with just the keeper to beat. He made amends minutes later to head home a Cazorla free-kick and seal a deserved three points for his side.

The Gunners begin their Uefa Champions League campaign against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and face London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Saturday lunchtime, while Stoke welcome the visit of high-flyers Leicester City to the Stanley Matthews Way later that same day.