Stoke 0 – 0 Arsenal. A boring game with a silver-lining by KJ
We came out today needing a win because of the poor result against Sunderland at the Emirates. Stoke City and their fans were well up for this match. They always are. This is their cup final. We are their biggest rivals in the Premier League. This was proven with their organised mass Wenger impersonation today. Stoke fans truly live a horrible existence.
Onto the football now, the starting line-up was:
Mannone
Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelan Gibbs
Arteta Diaby
Gervinho Cazorla Podolski
Giroud
There were a couple surprises to the starting line-up. Firstly, Mannone started instead of Szczesny who had a rib injury. I knew about this yesterday but still expected him to start. He went through 4 months last season with an injury but still played every game. I was also surprised that Walcott didn’t start. He is in the midst of contract negotiations and starting him can only help our stance on him.
The game started off pretty well for the Gunners as they managed to quickly impose their style of play on Stoke without being bullied out of the game. Podolski got the first chance of the game with a cute pass from Cazorla that initially looked like it would be cleared up by the Stoke defender, however, he slipped giving Podolski the opportunity to shoot but that in itself was shrouded in controversy. As the Stoke defender slipped, the momentum moved him forward allowing him to block Podolski’s shot. But, he blocked the shot with his arm. The goal was destined for the goal if there was no block and from watching the replays, it looked like the arm moved upwards to intentionally block the shot. I would’ve called it a penalty personally.
Cazorla was being his usual self and was controlling the game with ease. His passing was slick and his vision was unrivalled. He really has been a breath of fresh air. He definitely will be our best player since Fabregas. He also got a nice shot off from outside the box which really tested Begovic.
Podolski was playing really well in the first half. He was driving at the Stoke defenders and was imposing his physicality on their fullbacks. They knew that he wasn’t going to be pushed around.
Giroud seemed to be slightly isolated as both Shawcross and Huth made sure they were only an arm’s length away from him. He managed to get into good positions and could’ve been at the end of a great Cazorla through ball if only he took it in his stride.
Onto the second half, we started worse. Cazorla wasn’t really controlling the game anymore and Stoke were able to get some possession. Fortunately, Arsenal wasn’t fazed by it and kept to the game plan. We eventually settled but were still hard-pressed with the challenge of creating clear cut chances. Eventually, Wenger made his first two changes with both Podolski and Gervinho coming off for Walcott and Chamberlain. Gervinho was appalling today which is unlike him. Although he struggles with the final product, he always manages to make the defenders look like clowns. Unfortunately, nothing was working for him.
Walcott and Chamberlain really added that extra dimension and were able to get behind their defenders. There were numerous times they beat their man but failed to deliver the final ball.
Ramsey came on finally to the jeer of boos across the ground. Just disgusting. The Stoke fans were revelling in the atmosphere. Enjoying the hatred they were spreading.
The game fizzled out with the final chance falling to Giroud who had two options. The goalkeeper was off his line and hence the chip was on. Ramsey was bursting through the middle and would’ve been one on one with the keeper. It’s fair to say that Giroud picked the wrong option with the shot that wasn’t far off at all. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t spot the run but at least he is showing his willingness to score. His confidence hasn’t been dented at all from the Sunderland game.
The game finished 0 – 0 with it being by in large, a boring match. However, there was some positives for sure. We were extremely solid defensively and the attacking signs were positive. We just need to start finishing off our chances and we’ll be on our way.
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