Stoke City striker Peter Crouch enjoyed his battle with Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker.

Stoke could not unsettle Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the same way they had in the home Barclays Premier League game before Christmas, and were well beaten 3-0.

Crouch, though, relished his 'gigantic' battle with 6ft 6in German defender Per Mertesacker.

"I have always enjoyed it, I don't want to give any defenders an easy ride and hopefully you can put yourself about to unsettle them," he said. "I have tried to do that and always try to do."