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The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
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RealGunner
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The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
vs.
Sunday, 22 September 2013.
12:30 GMT
The Emirates Stadium, London.
______________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, 22 September 2013.
12:30 GMT
The Emirates Stadium, London.
______________________________________________________________________________
- Section 1 => Arsenal:
- Back to the action in the Premier League this weekend after a well earned win away at Stade Velodrome, the Gunners are high on confidence. In the history of the club, this has been the first team to win 10 away games in a row - a statistic much thrown around since the win. However, the focus shifts back to the Emirates, which will be under siege by the evil anti-football army from Stoke City. The race of humans, dwarves and elves will have to come together, under the able guidance of Arsene The White to get 3 points out of this encounter.
The Arsenal's season started with a 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa, the only blip in a wonderful run stretching back to the games against Spuds and Bayern last season. The loss has been followed by 6 wins in a row, including 3 wins in Europe and a 3 game streak propelling the team into a nice second place in the early season table, tied on points with the scum.
However, with the games coming thick and fast, the wafer thin squad is already well exposed. The highlight, of course, is the return to full fitness of the "technical leader" on the pitch, and stand-in skipper Mikel "Lego-hair" Arteta. (I shall refer to him as Legolas this week, given the LOTR theme of this preview.) The 31-year-old midfielder has yet to feature this season due to a quadricep injury and should be involved in some capacity in the game, once he clears a full fitness test due on Saturday morning.
Then there is the much anticipated home debut of the most expensive German in the history of football. The Emirates should be filled to brim with fans streaming in to see the first actions of in the red and white.
Other attention would be directed at the men in form, Aaron Ramsey (who is currently top scorer with 6 goals) and the handsome Olivier Giroud. While the Wales international will look to continue his rich vein of form in the game against the Orcs who almost brought his career to end, his wonderful recovery and the reborn midfielder in him has many a Gooner jizzing his pants right now. Needless to say, the height, strength and hold-up play offered by Giroud will be crucial against a physical side. Special mention to Gibbs after a masterful MOTM performance in midweek.
- Section 2 => Stoke City:
Mark Hughes has started off well with his new charges, after replacing Tony Pulis. After an opening day loss to Liverpool, the team has gotten off to a creditable start to the season with wins over Crystal Palace and West Ham, before earning a precious point from at home against top spenders Manchester City.
They currently sit seventh in the table, tied on 7 points with both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Newcastle - separated by their respective goal differences. Despite being just four games into the season, that is highly respectable, considering two of their four matches were against top dogs.
History is against Stoke and Hughes, however. Hughes has lost all six of his previous visits to North London, while Stoke have failed to take a single point from their 5 Premier League visits to the Emirates Stadium. In fact, the last time Stoke won away at The Arsenal was a 0-1 victory in 29 August 1981.
Marko Arnautovic could make his first start since his transfer-window move from Werder Bremen after his eye-catching debut as a 70th-minute substitute in the draw with Manchester City.
Stoke are supposedly playing some very good football under the aegis of Mark Hughes. I can't vouch for it, as I would rather stab a screwdriver into my eye than watch them play. But what I have gathered is that they were comfortable in their win against West Ham, and much better than Man City last weekend.
The Arsenal can not underestimate Stoke City. The lads have to be up for a fight, and it will require considerable mental strength and morale to get 3 points out of this match.
- Section 3 => Last Meeting:
Stoke defended deep all afternoon and were content to get a draw. However, a free kick flicked off the boots of Cameron, Theo offside but not interfering with play, and Chris Foy overruling the offside flag raised by the linesman saw Podolski get on the score sheet on 78". A well deserved 3 points.
It can be expected that with the way Arsenal are playing at the moment, and Mark Hughes trying to make the Orcs play football instead of wrestling, should result in a more open game. However, make no mistake, Stoke will be more than happy with a point away at the Emirates. That would be still more than what they have managed in previous occasions.
- Section 5 => Injury News:
The good news for the Arsenal is that the game away in France saw no new additions to the burgeoning list of the walking wounded. Santi Cazorla (ankle), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Abou Diaby (knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Yaya Sanogo (back) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, though some of them are inching closer to full fitness.
Centre-back Marc Muniesa remains the only injury doubt for Stoke with a groin strain.
- Section 6 => Probable Line-Ups:
The Arsenal:
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Sagna, Arteta, Miyachi, Frimpong
Stoke City:
Subs: Sorensen, Muniesa, Ireland, Crouch, Pennant, Etherington, Assaidi
- Section 7 => Stats:
* In both 2010/11 and 2012/13 seasons, the Arsenal won the game 1-0 at home against Stoke. In 2011/12, the Arsenal won 3-1.
* Stoke last beat the Arsenal 3-1 on 08 May 2011 at their home. The 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons both saw the Arsenal come away with a point from Stoke.
* Head-to-Head:
* Other stats from whoscored.com :
- Section 6 => Quotes:
Courtesy arsenal.com:
Wenger is taking nothing for granted and said:
Szczesny believes cohesive defensive displays have been crucial to the team's recent success."[They] are a good side. What we have learnt in the last two years is that every single game is a battle."
“I believe Arteta will get back into the team and they will all get their share of games. You calculate in a squad the maximum the players can play is 70 per cent of the games, so that is a lot of room for the other players as well."
“I think we have the right number and when everybody is back, there is competition for places.”"We've won the last six games, four of them away from home."
"We know the momentum is with us. The games are coming thick and fast because we play in every midweek games so I'm sure we can keep that going, keep the momentum going and keep getting results."
"I think it's just the desire of the whole team to defend well. We've been defending really well and then scoring goals on the counter attack."
Last edited by srigooner on Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:04 pm; edited 3 times in total
Sri- Wer ko, der ko
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Look how happy he is, Podolski only one smiling.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUnSJb5CUAEafew.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUnSJb5CUAEafew.jpg:large
Last edited by Raptorgunner on Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:27 pm; edited 6 times in total
Raptorgunner- World Class Contributor
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Bendtner
TalkingReckless- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
LOL, I just noticed him.Butt wrote:Bendtner
Raptorgunner- World Class Contributor
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Thanks Sri for doing preview early, looking forward to it.
My line up, jack and Giroud needs rest but we have no choice to start Giroud.
----------------Sczezesny
sagna----mertesaker----koscielny-----gibbs/
--------flamini------------ ramsey---------
walcott--------- ozil ----------Gnabry/ ryo
-----------------Giroud
My line up, jack and Giroud needs rest but we have no choice to start Giroud.
----------------Sczezesny
sagna----mertesaker----koscielny-----gibbs/
--------flamini------------ ramsey---------
walcott--------- ozil ----------Gnabry/ ryo
-----------------Giroud
Last edited by Raptorgunner on Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:17 pm; edited 3 times in total
Raptorgunner- World Class Contributor
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
ls bendtner turning into orson wells?
VendettaRed07- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Sick flow Bendtner
I was also confused at first as to who the guy between Sanogo and Ramsey was haha. Poor Park.
I was also confused at first as to who the guy between Sanogo and Ramsey was haha. Poor Park.
Eman- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Its on Sunday not Saturday
getdarker- Hot Prospect
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Geez Bendtner looks like the biggest gimp ever.
I just realised that Park is back in the squad, geez, forgot about that guy. Talk about one of Wenger's strangest signings.
Anyway Stoke have not started that bad this season but they have always been terrible away so we should get the win, especially after a great win away from Marseille.
I just realised that Park is back in the squad, geez, forgot about that guy. Talk about one of Wenger's strangest signings.
Anyway Stoke have not started that bad this season but they have always been terrible away so we should get the win, especially after a great win away from Marseille.
Aussie_Gunner- Prospect
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Bendtner going with the viking look.
McAgger- Ballon d'Or Contender
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
I think DIaby is Photoshopped no way he could have made the photo day.
Raptorgunner- World Class Contributor
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Nice of you to make the preview, sri
We all know what we should expect from Stoke:
They'll defend with two banks of four and try to get a goal from set pieces - the usual stuff. We have to score early and take control of the game from there, the longer we take to score the first the harder it becomes.
Would've been nice to have some options on the bench if things aren't going well - last time we met Stoke at the Emirates we brought Podolski late on to score the winner.
I'm afraid that we're going to approach the game the same way we did last season because of fatigue, with the usual tippy-tappy stuff, without actual threat, off the ball movement, directness and fast passing.
Two hard places to visit in the next two weeks in the Premier League - Swansea and WBA, makes this match even more important to win.
We all know what we should expect from Stoke:
They'll defend with two banks of four and try to get a goal from set pieces - the usual stuff. We have to score early and take control of the game from there, the longer we take to score the first the harder it becomes.
Would've been nice to have some options on the bench if things aren't going well - last time we met Stoke at the Emirates we brought Podolski late on to score the winner.
I'm afraid that we're going to approach the game the same way we did last season because of fatigue, with the usual tippy-tappy stuff, without actual threat, off the ball movement, directness and fast passing.
Two hard places to visit in the next two weeks in the Premier League - Swansea and WBA, makes this match even more important to win.
urbaNRoots- First of his name
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
The post is (FINALLY) up guys.
Thanks man, just realized I had typed the day wrong. The date is right though.getdarker wrote:Its on Sunday not Saturday
Sri- Wer ko, der ko
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
great preview Sri..
and nice to see that colourful stats...
i think we will go with the same starting 11 and wait till midweek to give rest to the first team players... or may be Vermelen has a chance to start a game.. havent watched much of Stoke this season.. reading everywhere that he have changed their style with Hughes preferring to play football than rugby.. and they have had a strong start to the season.. i am having a feeling that this one will be tougher than expected.. a hard fought 2-0 with Ozil and Walcott on target..
and nice to see that colourful stats...
i think we will go with the same starting 11 and wait till midweek to give rest to the first team players... or may be Vermelen has a chance to start a game.. havent watched much of Stoke this season.. reading everywhere that he have changed their style with Hughes preferring to play football than rugby.. and they have had a strong start to the season.. i am having a feeling that this one will be tougher than expected.. a hard fought 2-0 with Ozil and Walcott on target..
Wilson37- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
i thought we got rid of Park?
lenear1030- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
me toolenear1030 wrote:i thought we got rid of Park?
aleumdance- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Think you will see a different Stoke this time guys.
Hughes has them playing more football, more one and two touch and less long ball.
Which in theory should suit you but Stoke are not the rugby team they were under Pulis anymore.
Hughes has them playing more football, more one and two touch and less long ball.
Which in theory should suit you but Stoke are not the rugby team they were under Pulis anymore.
Great Leader Sprucenuce- Forum Legend
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
should and will be a 6-0 win, simples.
REWB- Fan Favorite
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
so to Conclude, Arsenal are going to win this match easily?Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Think you will see a different Stoke this time guys.
Hughes has them playing more football, more one and two touch and less long ball.
Which in theory should suit you but Stoke are not the rugby team they were under Pulis anymore.
aleumdance- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Arsenal fans, want to get offended and pisssed of
look st Stoke fans insulting Ramsey AGAIN
http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/220038/ramsey
I hope Ramsey scores erm, twats
look st Stoke fans insulting Ramsey AGAIN
http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/220038/ramsey
I hope Ramsey scores erm, twats
Ramsey is a complete and utter *bleep* and anyone would think that he had recovered from a Fabrice Muamba incident to go on and resume his career.
Truth is he broke his leg courtesy of a very slightly mistimed challenge that saw the referee award a thrown in to Arsenal rather than a free kick before seeing that Ramsey had broken his leg. A leg break that several players have recovered from without a problem.
The whole incident and the subsequent persecution of Ryan leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth of Stoke fans. Ryan has been with us since he was 19 and he is one of us. We, or certainly I did, felt his pain as he cried his way off the pitch that day.
My abiding memory of the incident is of Ryan crying, Whelan helping comfort Ramsey whilst his own team-mates jumped up and down, waving their arms in the air, surrounding the ref and begging for Ryan to be sent off. Sol Campbell and Fibreglass are absolute *bleep*! I also remember a far worse tackle on Danny Pugh by Fibreglass that was actually intended to hurt/break his leg. A two footed, calf high lunge straight through the back of Pugh.
Arsenal can go *bleep* themselves and so can Ramsey. They are all fair game for anything that is thrown at them during 90 minutes and I can understand some slightly "over the top" sentiments expressed towards him.
aleumdance- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Comfortable win for the Gunners. I foresee 3-0.
FRANTIC- Prospect
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Arsène Wenger says that Jack Wilshere is happy to play out of his normal position in order to help the team.
Wenger hailed Wilshere's attitude as "absolutely fantastic" and still thinks the 21-year-old will get the freedom to roam inside.
"Jack is always ready to sacrifice himself for the team and that is absolutely fantastic," Wenger told Arsenal Player.
"It [the left flank] is not his best position, we all know that. But he has a lot of freedom to move inside and he plays a little bit in the Cazorla role. He does that well.
"I think he will benefit from that transitional period there and physically he will become much stronger. He needs that.
"Overall, he is very disciplined as well. He can do the physical job on the flanks. It's the hardest job today in the modern game and he does that very well. I'm very pleased with his performances.
Wenger hailed Wilshere's attitude as "absolutely fantastic" and still thinks the 21-year-old will get the freedom to roam inside.
"Jack is always ready to sacrifice himself for the team and that is absolutely fantastic," Wenger told Arsenal Player.
"It [the left flank] is not his best position, we all know that. But he has a lot of freedom to move inside and he plays a little bit in the Cazorla role. He does that well.
"I think he will benefit from that transitional period there and physically he will become much stronger. He needs that.
"Overall, he is very disciplined as well. He can do the physical job on the flanks. It's the hardest job today in the modern game and he does that very well. I'm very pleased with his performances.
RealGunner- Admin
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
The less said about Stoke fans the better.
If the reports about Stoke's new playing style are true, I'm confident in us outplaying and scoring a few against them.
A clean-sheet would be nice for a change too.
If the reports about Stoke's new playing style are true, I'm confident in us outplaying and scoring a few against them.
A clean-sheet would be nice for a change too.
Rev- First Team
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Re: The Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Thanks guys
I think Jack will benefit the same way Rambo did by playing on the flank. When he moves back to a central position, he'll have more space around him and be the better for it.
A win without another penalty conceded would be a good start
I think Jack will benefit the same way Rambo did by playing on the flank. When he moves back to a central position, he'll have more space around him and be the better for it.
A win without another penalty conceded would be a good start
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