EPL Match Day 18 (makeup date): Arsenal v Stoke City: Match Preview
The cool thing about this match up, I didn’t have to wonder what I was going to write. It actually had all been written back in December when this match was originally scheduled. This meeting is our makeup match with Stoke and puts back in the plus column on games versus United. But enough about that let’s talk about today’s tie shall we.
It’s a classic tale really. A tale of substance versus style. Beauty versus brawn – oh hell why be coy – it’s Arsenal versus Stoke City. It’s Wenger versus Pulis and I don’t think I need to clarify who I prefer in this battle.
So what’s the perfect rememdy for a lacklustre performance against Leyton Orient? Taking out all that frustration on Stoke maybe? A win today and Arsenal close the gap on United to a point and place further distance between them and City. Maybe it won’t last long United will play their catch up match on the weekend while we are off playing for silverware for the first time in six years. The good thing about the match is it brings us up on par on games played with City. A win places the distance between the two clubs to 7 points and really creates a two way race for the title.
The big concern here for Arsenal is of course playing the rugby side tha is Stoke. With fixture congestion due to fighting in four competitions, the Arsenal have 5 matches in relative short time. They actually have 4 matches in 4 different competitions in this run, but I digress. The style (if you can call clubbing a style) of play for Pulis’ side is well documented – in case you forget what it is – ask Aaron Ramsey. There lies the dinstinct possibility that one of players could wind up severely injured. An injury that keeps someone of the first squad out for a while, wouldn’t be devastating but it could make a title run dicey.
The match itself has all the makings for a potential flare up both from the fans perspective and quite possibly the players. It was during this fixture last year at Stoke that Ryan Shawcross recklessly went into a 50-50 with Aaron Ramsey and broke his ankle. Arsenal went on to win that match 3-1 but the ill feeling still lingers. Oddly enough (or maybe not) it is Tony “the pugilist” Pulis that is fanning the flames.
In pre-game interviews he tried to play the refs by drawing attention to Arsenal’s disciplinary record this season. He insinuated, quite mockingly that he should be informing the refs. I think I should remind Tony that our yellows and reds haven’t resulted in any broken ankles. And hey, we’re not that type of team.
Arsenal need something and not just a draw from this match. They failed to show up against Orient after the brilliant Champion’s League win against Barcelona. They have, as I mentioned, a complicated gauntlet of matches coming up that requires everyone remain as healthy as possible. This is an important match to create buffer room from other chasers. Arsenal need to bear down and measure themselves and make sure they have the mettle for what lies ahead. They must now put aside all the frustrations from this weekend and the fixture congestion that results from it and come out with a disciplined, attacking effort in order to get back on track.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Arsenal should come out and dictate terms early. They haven’t conceded a goal in the first 25 minutes and compared to last season they are scoring earlier in most games. This will be one of them and I suspect since their tails will be raised we could have 2 Arsenal goals before the 30 minute mark. With Szczesny in goal, I don’t like Stoke’s chances of getting a goal. He is a big and as players are learning can be an intimidating presence in goal.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Marouane Chamakh. The morrocan was on fire in the early season, but the weight of being the only striker for the first third of the season took its toll and he hasn’t started in a regular EPL match in 2011. With Van Persie out due to a “calf” injury, its his time to get back in.
Stoke: Ryan Shawcross. You may remember him. He’s not that kind of guy. Whatever kind of guy he is, this is his first visit since taking out Ramsey. Let’s say I just suspect the atomsphere will be less than welcoming.
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal 4-2-3-1 Stoke 4-4-2
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (suspension – 1) Van Persie (calf) Koscielny (calf) Fabianski (shoulder) Frimpong (knee), Vermaelen (Achilles)
Stoke: Etherington (back & hamstring) Faye (hamstring) Sidibe (Achilles)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri 14 (9 league) Van Persie 13 (10 League) Chamakh 10 (7 league) Walcott 9 (6 league)
Stoke: Huth 7 (6 league) Jones 7 (5 league) Walters 7 (3 league)
Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 3
Stoke: 1
Goals For:
Arsenal: 2.2(home)
Stoke: 0.9 (away)
Goals Against:
Arsenal: 0.9 (home)
Stoke 1.5 (away)
Last Five:
Arsenal: WDWWW
Stoke: LWLLW
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 29
Stoke: -2
Match Officials:
Referee: Peter Walton
Assistant referees: Martin Yerby & Patrick Keane
Fourth official: Phil Crossley
Broadcast Information:
Broadcast in all areas unknown, due to Champion’s League
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Stoke: 1
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