Hello Everyone,
Last weekends victory against ManU was simply amazing and moral boosting. I was fully pumped up to write a review of the game, but then work caught up with me and so I couldn't write it. It was such a stunning performance and we limited ManU to very few chances and we ourselves could have scored more, if our finishing was a bit better. Anyways, a victory is a victory and it was very much needed after what we went through the last 3 weeks. Ramsey also made a sparking return to the starting line up by scoring the only goal of the game.
Speaking about Ramsey, the team who we will be facing this Sunday has a big history with Ramsey. Last year, it was in this same fixture that Ramsey was left with a broken leg because of a brutal tackle from the thug aka Ryan Shawcross. With Cesc still out injured, its a perfect platform for Ramsey to get his revenge on Stoke and Shawcross.
Our injury news is becoming a bit worrying again. Arsene confirmed that Cesc, Nasri and Diaby are all out of the game, while Clichy and Djourou have late fitness test. On the positive side, we have the long awaited return of The Verminator to the first team. For the second week in a row, there is no news about either Denilson or Rosicky and as I am a big fan of Rosicky, its really worrying me.
Stoke City Rugby Club will be without their most talented "Footballer" Etherington along with the dangerous Fuller. Sidibe and Higginbotham are also out. Defender Wilkinson is expected to make a return.
Its not a secret that Stoke's main weapon is their set pieces and those well toweled long throws of Delap. I am still confused what will be our CB pairing. I guess it will be either Djourou - Kosh or Kosh- Verminator. The passion with which the team and in particular Vermaelen played in this fixture last year can never be forgotten.
The absence of the dangerous duo of Etherington and Fuller will be a big setback for Stoke. As I said before, Stoke will certain try and attack us on set pieces. They have some physically strong and tall players like Shawcross, Huth and Jones. Here's where Djourou (If he is out) will be a big miss. In my opinion he is the best defender on the air out of the 4 CB's we have, but atleast we have TV5 back so that should cool the wounds a bit. Starting the game with Squillaci wouldn't worry me either, as he played really well and scored in the reverse fixture. Another big miss will be Clichy. He is also classified as doubtful which means Gibbs will take his place. Many people will he happy to see Clichy out of the first team but I can only call them as fools. Gibbs has clearly showed that he is not yet ready for 1st team action. Clichy has been made a scape goat this season. Everytime the defense makes a error, the blame will fall on Gael automatically. I just cant get why people do that and I really hope Clichy plays tomorrow. If not, I seriously hope Gibbs steps up. Since Stoke's biggest weapon is Delap's long throws, we should also be a bit cautious about conceding silly throw ins.
My starting line up will be
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen (Djourou) Gibbs (Clichy)
Ramsey Song Jack
Theo Van Persie Arshavin
We will be starting with the same midfield and forwards who started against ManU, except that Arshavin will replace the injured Nasri. The young midfield trio of Rambo, Jack and Song absolutely owned ManU last week. If they can do that to ManU, then surely they can do it against Stoke, provided they show the same passion and commitment. Arshavin was in really sparking form last week, as was RVP. Theo also played pretty well. Stoke might probably park the bus so the incisive passing skills of Jack and Rambo and also the movement of our front men will be mightily important.
The game will surely be a spicy affair because of the events that took place last year. I really hope our outstanding away fans cheer Ramsey on, as much as they boo Shawcross.
I am predicting a 2-1 away victory for the Arsenal
Here are some interesting stats about both Stoke and Arsenal
Stoke
-Stoke have only lost one of their last six league matches.
- The Potters have not lost a league match in which they opened the scoring (W9, D4).
- They are looking to keep three Premier League clean sheets in a row for the first time in 13 months.
- Ryan Shawcross will be playing his 150th game for Stoke, while Glenn Whelan should make his 100th league appearance for the club.
Arsenal
- The Gunners are looking to win consecutive league matches for the first time since beating Wolves and Stoke in February.
- They have the best away record in the division – picking up 30 points from 17 matches.
- Arsene Wenger’s side have given away nine league penalties this season, more than any other club in the division.
- Robin van Persie has scored 18 goals in 20 games for Arsenal in 2011, including the last seven successive league away matches.
Last weekends victory against ManU was simply amazing and moral boosting. I was fully pumped up to write a review of the game, but then work caught up with me and so I couldn't write it. It was such a stunning performance and we limited ManU to very few chances and we ourselves could have scored more, if our finishing was a bit better. Anyways, a victory is a victory and it was very much needed after what we went through the last 3 weeks. Ramsey also made a sparking return to the starting line up by scoring the only goal of the game.
Speaking about Ramsey, the team who we will be facing this Sunday has a big history with Ramsey. Last year, it was in this same fixture that Ramsey was left with a broken leg because of a brutal tackle from the thug aka Ryan Shawcross. With Cesc still out injured, its a perfect platform for Ramsey to get his revenge on Stoke and Shawcross.
Our injury news is becoming a bit worrying again. Arsene confirmed that Cesc, Nasri and Diaby are all out of the game, while Clichy and Djourou have late fitness test. On the positive side, we have the long awaited return of The Verminator to the first team. For the second week in a row, there is no news about either Denilson or Rosicky and as I am a big fan of Rosicky, its really worrying me.
Stoke City Rugby Club will be without their most talented "Footballer" Etherington along with the dangerous Fuller. Sidibe and Higginbotham are also out. Defender Wilkinson is expected to make a return.
Its not a secret that Stoke's main weapon is their set pieces and those well toweled long throws of Delap. I am still confused what will be our CB pairing. I guess it will be either Djourou - Kosh or Kosh- Verminator. The passion with which the team and in particular Vermaelen played in this fixture last year can never be forgotten.
The absence of the dangerous duo of Etherington and Fuller will be a big setback for Stoke. As I said before, Stoke will certain try and attack us on set pieces. They have some physically strong and tall players like Shawcross, Huth and Jones. Here's where Djourou (If he is out) will be a big miss. In my opinion he is the best defender on the air out of the 4 CB's we have, but atleast we have TV5 back so that should cool the wounds a bit. Starting the game with Squillaci wouldn't worry me either, as he played really well and scored in the reverse fixture. Another big miss will be Clichy. He is also classified as doubtful which means Gibbs will take his place. Many people will he happy to see Clichy out of the first team but I can only call them as fools. Gibbs has clearly showed that he is not yet ready for 1st team action. Clichy has been made a scape goat this season. Everytime the defense makes a error, the blame will fall on Gael automatically. I just cant get why people do that and I really hope Clichy plays tomorrow. If not, I seriously hope Gibbs steps up. Since Stoke's biggest weapon is Delap's long throws, we should also be a bit cautious about conceding silly throw ins.
My starting line up will be
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen (Djourou) Gibbs (Clichy)
Ramsey Song Jack
Theo Van Persie Arshavin
We will be starting with the same midfield and forwards who started against ManU, except that Arshavin will replace the injured Nasri. The young midfield trio of Rambo, Jack and Song absolutely owned ManU last week. If they can do that to ManU, then surely they can do it against Stoke, provided they show the same passion and commitment. Arshavin was in really sparking form last week, as was RVP. Theo also played pretty well. Stoke might probably park the bus so the incisive passing skills of Jack and Rambo and also the movement of our front men will be mightily important.
The game will surely be a spicy affair because of the events that took place last year. I really hope our outstanding away fans cheer Ramsey on, as much as they boo Shawcross.
I am predicting a 2-1 away victory for the Arsenal
Here are some interesting stats about both Stoke and Arsenal
Stoke
-Stoke have only lost one of their last six league matches.
- The Potters have not lost a league match in which they opened the scoring (W9, D4).
- They are looking to keep three Premier League clean sheets in a row for the first time in 13 months.
- Ryan Shawcross will be playing his 150th game for Stoke, while Glenn Whelan should make his 100th league appearance for the club.
Arsenal
- The Gunners are looking to win consecutive league matches for the first time since beating Wolves and Stoke in February.
- They have the best away record in the division – picking up 30 points from 17 matches.
- Arsene Wenger’s side have given away nine league penalties this season, more than any other club in the division.
- Robin van Persie has scored 18 goals in 20 games for Arsenal in 2011, including the last seven successive league away matches.
Good point about Ramsey. The encounter with stoke will prove to be a great judge of character... lets see how he responds to the harsh challenges. Also, I had no idea Fuller was out. This will definitely change the way they play. Fuller's poacher's instinct is a vital aspect of their game
ReplyDelete@biswas Yes they only have Jones, so they might go for a 4-5-1 with more hoof balls
ReplyDelete@biswas...Mate, Stoke will never change the way they play. Same shit, long throw, different day.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post my friend, all i needed to know about the mighty Arsenal and on the unfortunate ones, which i will not mention.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the unfortunate ones (which I will not mention) are in good form and must be dealt ith swiftly and professionally. We have to score first.
The unmentionables will try to bully and intimidate the lad but it will not work. We have Djorou, Song and Vermaelen for these C***s. Bring it you cavemen.
Magnificent work, keep it up.
By the way, have you heard the new bull from Stoke fans: THEY WILL BOO RAMSEY FOR BREAKING HIS LEG!!!
ReplyDeleteCheck my twitter...http://twitter.com/#!/LooseCannon01
Here's an example of their braindead thinking:
http://twitter.com/#!/AdamWootten/status/66548799677546496