For a Gooner, it can be hard to find a club that offers a stronger contrast—or inspires deeper rage than Stoke. Even more so than Tottenham or Man U or Chelsea, this fixture symbolizes deep contrasts that appeal to some of our deepest, most atavistic impulses. Whether that's rational or not, well, that defies the rational mind. For a deeper meditation on that, have a read of this post. For a more-direct, strategic breakdown, by all means, read on below...
However, under
Hughes, Stoke have shown a bit more tactical variety, but somewhat to the
detriment of their defensive tendencies. No longer is Britannia the dark
stronghold it has been; the Potters have already lost three times in six
matches at home—to Aston Villa, Leicester, and Burnley. On the other hand, for
what it’s worth, they’ve flattened high-flying Newcastle, West Ham, and Swansea.
On the other, other hand, Stoke come
into this match having lost three matches in a row whereas Arsenal come in
having won three in a row.
On a more-strategic
level, Stoke have three players who are one yellow-card away from serving a
one-game suspension (in case anyone over there tracks such niceties):
Shawcross, Wilson, and Diouf. This might be enough to encourage better manners
from them although it would be unwise to wager on it. At the injury-end, Stoke
might be harder-hit than we are (savor the irony—or is it karma?). Out of
service will be Odemwingie, Whelan, Huth, Moses, and Sidwell, with Walters
facing a late fitness test. Whoever takes to the pitch for the Potters, we know
full-well what to expect. Hughes has conjured up some stunning results for
Arsenal—the first manager to defeat us with four different clubs: Man City
(pre-Mansour), QPR, Blackburn, and Stoke. Still, if we can get three points and
other results go our way, we might just climb to as high as third place while
knocking Stoke down towards the relegation-zone.
LAST 3:
- Stoke 1-0 Arsenal (01.03.2014)
- Arsenal 3-1 Stoke (22.09.2013)
- Arsenal 1-0 Stoke (02.02.2013)
FACTFILE
- The two clubs first clashed in 1904—a 2-1 win to Woolwich Arsenal.
- Arsenal have only won once in eight trips to Brittania under Wenger.
- Alexis has scored three match-winning goals in the Prem.
INJURIES
- Debuchy, Ospina, Diaby, Arteta, Wilshere, Walcott, and Özil will miss out, and Gibbs and Szczesny face late fitness tests.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
- Martinez; Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Bellerin; Flamini, Ramsey; Alexis, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chambelain; Giroud.
FINAL PREDICTION
- Stoke 0-2 Arsenal. Goals from Giroud and Cazorla.
After the pummeling you have taken at the hands and mouths of the Stoke faithful, I commend you for a third consecutive post that brings up the history of this rivalry. It is clear that no matter how you try to word it the Potter loyalists will defend their style of play and point out that Arsenal are not the white knights that they might portray themselves, let alone pure as the driven snow.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless at this point in a season marked by an underwhelming display, a manager almost on the verge of reaping what he has sown and soon to once more disappoint the faithful at the January transfer window (just wait as he chooses not to spend, rationalizes he has enough and that prices are too high, etc.), any victory, even by one late goal, will entice the Arsenal to maintain their fading hopes for yet another week.
Hopefully, we survive without injuries, gain three points and move on to Turkey where the weary can be rested.
I bet we win well today, 0-2 looks good. After this one we have a string of 4-5 matches that we should win most of. If we don't I'm joining you on the WOB board. If we win these next 5-6 will you swing towards the AKBs?
ReplyDeleteThankfully I am unable to watch. However, knowing the halftime score, are you joining the AOL or the AOI contingents?
ReplyDeleteFourth place is approaching a pipe dream, upper third or upper half may soon be the target. As Arsenal get more desperate teams will raise their transfer prices and lack of CL play will make it harder to attract the best players. Soon the only lure will be a respected manager, I e., ABA.
hahahahahaha.....!! you dont know shit!!
ReplyDelete