The Potters produced a game of two halves and left the Emirates Stadium downhearted that they hadn't been able to grab a deserved share of the spoils.
City adopted the same defensive formation that they put out at Anfield three weeks ago and in the first half an hour produced very little up front as they left Carew very isolated up front.
After that period though, and already trailing to a goal from a corner, Walters was pushed further forward and the Potters came more and more into the game, going close to equalising on numerous occasions, but the hosts just about held out for the win.
The game started at a frantic pace with Delap sending in a couple of bullet like throws and Pennant putting two great corners into the danger area whilst at the other end Walcott was crowded out by the defence when through on goal after six minutes but only after striking the post from a tight angle after just two minutes.
The deadlock was broken on eight minutes when a corner was collected by Bendtner beyond the far post, the Dane bringing the ball down before clipping it back into the danger area for Squillaci to head in from 4 yards.
The game settled down after that strike, with Fabregas subbed shortly after with a hamstring strain, and although Arsenal passed the ball around at will City rarely seemed troubled by the Gunners and it was when Walters moved further up field that the games next chance arrived as the ex-Ipswich man nodded a long ball down to Carew who unleashed a vicious shot from 30 yards that had Szczecny scrambling to push wide of the post.
The only other chance prior to the interval was a 20 yard free kick by Nasri that flew just wide of Begovic's post.
City started the second period well and Shawcross had a header deflected wide for a corner straight after the break before a number of throw ins and corners had the home defence scrambling the ball anywhere they could get it to keep their lead in tact, Carew going close with a header aswell.
Huth then went closer yet on the hour mark as a throw in saw the German defender fly through a ruck of players and head the ball goalwards from 6 yards out, but the ball just cleared the crossbar.
The Gunners were looking to take advantage of a more attacking Potters approach and Walcott missed a glorious opportunity to seal the game for the hosts when, with the keeper drawn to the Russian, Arshavin pulled the ball back from the byline to the England winger. Walcott had the simple task of sliding the ball into the unguarded net but sliced his shot and it went for a throw in.
The home side were still enjoying large periods of possession but City were looking dangerous when they had the ball and Fuller had a mazy run halted by a last ditch Squillaci tackle, whilst, with the last major chance of the game, Pennant struck a free kick just wide, and into the side netting, with the keeper rooted to the spot.