Stoke vs Arsenal: Preview, Injury News & Predicted Team
Arsenal travel to the Britannia Stadium this weekend with unhappy memories of last seasons encounter. Our last visit here did see us take 3 points but we lost much more than we gained. I am of course alluding to the horrific leg break to Aaron Ramsey.
Injury News :
Here is Arsene Wengers update on injuries:
“Diaby, Nasri and Fabregas will be out,” said Wenger. “Nasri and Fabregas have a little chance for Aston Villa but not for Stoke.
“Johan Djourou had a test yesterday that looked quite positive. We have a doubt about Clichy’s hamstring. He had a test that was not completely satisfactory, both have a chance to be fit.”
“Thomas Vermaelen is available and could be in the squad. Aaron Ramsey is likely to get another chance, I can even say that he will play.”
Probable Line up :
Subs : Lehmann, Eboue, Gibbs, DJ*, TR7, Denilson, Nikko, Chamakh
Final thoughts :
Stoke play a very physical game, and we all know this. Passing the ball quickly and ensuring we get our rhythm will be crucial for us here. They are a bullish team and their obvious tactic will be to catch us out at corners and set pieces. Then of course we have their long throw tactic, which will prove to be a big test for our defense. If we can deal with that, then I feel half the game is ours. An early goal will be crucial to keep the crowd tamed, and if we ‘concede’ then a high pressure game should be adopted by us because we know they shall become ‘ultra defensive,’ those Damn turtles!
Guns-out,
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cesc
May 6, 2011 at 9:22 pm
ramsey shouldnt play in this game. we all know how stoke are going to play so its best for his safety that he is on the bench for this one.
play denilson instead in that role, ramsey doesnt deserve to be exposed to those thugs for a second time
nicky
May 6, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@Cesc. Agree entirely about keeping Ramsey away from thugs like Shawcross & Co.
At the same time, Stoke will not want to risk injuries on their side with the FAC Final only a weeek away.
macari
May 6, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Personally you want to get your facts straight. Ramsey’s injury although horrific was an unfortunate accident and thats all it was. Arsenal can be conceived as dirty as well and you just have to look at wilshere for proof. I think arsenal will struggle without their divers and pre-medonna’s not in the team i.e fabregas and nasri. Wengers will use his media tactic. You gooners go on about shawcross being a thug but it wasn’t that long ago that wenger was interested in buying him. I think you should let it go and stop blaming shawcross for arsenal’s inadequacies to win the league or any cups. It just goes to show how much you know about stoke that we can’t score from open play. Did you not see the five goals scored against bolton. Arsenal fans and wenger need to stop whining about how hard done to they are and start playing then they might win something!!!!
Aussie Jack
May 6, 2011 at 10:51 pm
When a pilot has an accident the best known remedy for recovering his confidence is to get up there again as soon as possible. So it is with Ramsey.
If there is any lingering doubt in his mind the best way to clear it is to face his adversary. Play him.
face his ad
luwegunner
May 7, 2011 at 12:45 am
please Arsene play clichy and gibbs on the same wing tomorrow coz Pennant will be running rings all day long. not sure if it’s a good game for vermalean to come back though
Papakeli
May 7, 2011 at 6:59 am
Go gunners goal
nicky
May 7, 2011 at 7:37 am
@macari
Before shooting your mouth off, wait until after the match on Sunday. Then ponder the thuggery that Stoke have produced. And then apologise for getting it all wrong….again