Arsenal v Stoke City; Match Preview

Well, it’s probably not the match you want to have after a listless draw to open the season but it’s better now than as the saying goes, “a cold Tuesday night” in Stoke. It’s match day two and Arsenal find themselves travelling to the hostile environs of the Britannia stadium. If Arsenal are going to measure themselves for the season, this is the place to do it.

Of the four matches that have occurred at the Britannia between the two teams Stoke hold an advantage over Arsenal with 2W 1L 1D. Arsenal for their part absolutely decimate Stoke when they come calling to London. But we’re not in London and the perennial thorn in the Gunner’s side that is the Tony Pulis managed team gets a crack at us early this year.

There is no love lost between Wenger and Pulis. Though today Wenger went out of his way (sort of) to praise the improved style that Stoke displayed last season by saying they kept it on the ground more last season. Heady praise coming from Wenger who you know hates everything that route one merchant Pulis espouses and represents.

Arsenal did not get out of the blocks running and yet, while they did not stumble per se they did play a match that clearly showed that the new players are going to take time to bed in. Whether it was Podolski nearly taking out Cazorla as they both teed up a left footed shot that Podolski would wiff on and that Santi would miss just wide left, or passes just missing, Arsenal were clearly a team still getting use to each other.

Patience these days is not a virtue Gooners are blessed with. Now entering an 8th year without silverware many people want results and they want it now. But is it realistic to expect that three new players are going to bed in right away? The players that have been brought in are class in their own right but they will take time. Except maybe Cazorla who looks already at ease with the game in England.  But Giroud and Podolski are going to take a few games to get their feet underneath them. The question will be will anyone step up to fill the gaps while their engines get going?

Last week Gervinho showed some delightful stuff attacking the left and basically terrorizing Sunderland all day. It’s a shame we didn’t get something from that as it was there all day long. If Gervinho does find his shot, his ability to get past players is going to be immense. Theo looked his sporadic self. There were glimpses but he also looked like someone still getting used to the new shape of things going on at Arsenal.

Stoke however, are not going to be friendly enough to allow the Gunners to warm up. Arsenal going to need a game plan to beat a tough side. Sure, they should beat them. Talent-wise Arsenal are better but as the first week has already shown for many EPL fans, talent means diddly squat. It takes effort and focus and Arsenal are going to need to both.

In the Guardian on Friday they examined the strategic decisions facing both managers and it’s a good read. They ask the questions can Pulis allow Arsenal to control possession of the game and get settled and take shots or will Pulis look to put pressure on Arsenal and take away their passing lanes, something they were very good at last season in the ending match. It should be noted though that Mikel Arteta was not in that match and his presence in holding and getting back the ball all season last year was immense.

One thing Pulis may not be able to rely on is narrowing his pitch to suit his style. This season all EPL pitches must be of similar size to conform to standards throughout Europe. This means that Rory Delap won’t have such an easy chance at getting his patented long throws in to the 18 yard box.  Lee Dixon says he has the formula for beating that throw in any case. What Dixon proposes is having all your  players stand on the goalline before rushing forward in unison to clear the throw,  much like a hockey side defending a penalty corner.

Whether Wenger along with his new number two will have such similar ideas  remains to be seen.

As the Guardian suggests and as many of us already know its unlikely that Wenger will veer too far away from his possession based philosophy. However, if Stoke do press, then what should Arsenal do? First, the ball has to stay on the deck and the passes have to be quick and crisp. Last week against Sunderland we did not seem to move the ball with any speed and the Blackcats were able to get back and clog up the space. We have speed through the middle and in the flanks. It needs to be used both in movement and passing as a way to tire out Stoke. Very few teams can keep up constant pressing for 90 minutes. If Stoke want to press and press constantly then Arsenal are going to need to come into this game better prepared for a faster game.

Speed kills and Arsenal have it. If they don’t use it they are done. Patience is one thing but not slow deliberative kind of patience. Patience to make Stoke work will pay off if Arsenal play to their strengths but it can’t be as lethargic as last week or Arsenal will hurt in this one.

How the Match Should Play Out:

It will play out exactly as how we think it will. The Britannia will be very hostile as it was to Wenger and his charges last season. Stoke will look to press Arsenal and the Gunner’s success will depend on how quickly they move the ball. I’m torn on the lineup and it could very easily be a ‘strong’ line up to combat Stoke’s physical nature. That means Giroud could play up top with Podolski on the left. But if we’re intent on playing our speed game I think Gervinho goes on the left and Poldi up as the target man.  In either scenario Arsenal need to keep the ball moving and tire out their hosts.  It’s going to be a close affair but I think the Britannia jinx can be broken.

 Player to Watch:

Arsenal. Santi Cazorla. Someone as comfortable on the ball and holding onto it as Cazorla is going to be essential Arsenal having any chance of success.  The key will be how well he responds to the physical nature of play Stoke bring to the game.

Stoke. Peter Crouch. The big gangly Englishman is their key target. He fits in nicely to the route one nature of Stoke. But he has also shown moments that he is not just a big target to throw the ball to.

Projected Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Koscielny (calf) Rosicky (hamstring) Wilshere (ankle) Sagna (broken leg)

Stoke: Whitehead (suspended – 1)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:

Stoke: Kightly

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal:1

Stoke: 1

Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 0

Stoke (home): 0

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0

Stoke: (home): 0

Last Five:
Arsenal: D

Stoke: D

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 0

Stoke: 0

Match Official:
Referee: Lee Mason

Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 0830

UK: ????? 1330 GMT

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Stoke: 1

The Final Word:

Some time today it is expected that Liverpool will announce the signing of Nuri Sahin on a season long loan. This will likely frustrate some Gooners as on Monday it was widely speculated in every corner of the press and twittersphere that a deal with Arsenal had been completed and Sahin was due in to London.

However, as Sid Lowe reported the move to Arsenal was something Mourinho didn’t want. As much as Sahin wanted to , Mourinho would rather that the player didn’t go on loan to strengthen a possible Champion’s League opponent. Additionally, Arsenal were very much looking for an option to buy and Madrid weren’t ready to really go down that route with Sahin.

Liverpool listened to everyone of Madrid’s demands on the loan. They will get Sahin for a year without any likelihood of purchasing the player. They will pay 70% of his wages whereas Arsenal were set to  60%. Additionally, the loan fee that Arsenal were going to pay (and that Madrid agreed with) was around £2 million. Liverpool reportedly offered a loan fee of £5 million. If that’s true then when all is said and done with wages and loan fee Liverpool will pay £12 million for a player that they are basically serving as a finishing school for.

Now don’t get me wrong. I would’ve loved to have him here. He is a very talented player. Actually make that extremely. He is an extremely talented player. But does it make sense to take a player on loan for the cost of a transfer fee that could get you a decent player as a transfer? Sometimes it makes sense to walk away from deals that aren’t logical.

Sure Liverpool are getting a player of quality but at what cost?

Wenger did mention in his Friday presser that Arsenal were not done and have 1 to 2 additional targets they are aiming for and that the last week of the window would be a busy one for Arsenal. Park looks set for a season long loan at Celta Vigo in La Liga and Bendtner looks set for Italy reportedly. There is also talk that Arshavin has been in Russia all week trying to finalize a move to Zenit St. Petersburg.  There also likely other moves out set to happen. In other words people while all focus today and tomorrow is on Stoke – Monday through Friday is going to be a very interesting time for the Gunners.

That’s all for today. We’ll be back after the match. Until then Stay Goonerish!!

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