Stoke City V Arsenal Match Thread. Live SS1

That_Guy

Didn't see a match thread so I thought I'd start one. Should be a decent game. The onus is definitely on Arsenal. With Chelsea losing to City they've the chance to go within 3 points of the league leaders.

Stoke will be a tough game for them though. Arsenal have already lost here in the FA Cup so it'll be an interesting game to watch. Stoke are difficult to break down at home. It'll be a scrappy affair I reckon.

Teams:

Stoke

* 29 Sorensen
* 04 Huth
* 17 Shawcross
* 25 Faye
* 28 Wilkinson
* 06 Whelan
* 14 Pugh
* 18 Whitehead
* 24 Delap
* 10 Fuller
* 11 Sidibe

Substitutes

* 27 Begovic,
* 22 Collins,
* 07 Lawrence,
* 15 Diao,
* 20 Sanli,
* 09 Beattie,
* 12 Kitson

Arsenal

* 01 Almunia
* 03 Sagna
* 05 Vermaelen
* 22 Clichy
* 27 Eboue
* 31 Campbell
* 04 Fabregas
* 08 Nasri
* 16 Ramsey
* 17 Song Billong
* 52 Bendtner

Substitutes

* 21 Fabianski,
* 18 Silvestre,
* 30 Traore,
* 07 Rosicky,
* 14 Walcott,
* 09 Eduardo,
* 12 Vela

L'prof

That_Guy wrote: »

Didn't see a match thread so I thought I'd start one. Should be a decent game. The onus is definitely on Arsenal. With Chelsea losing to City they've the chance to go within 3 points of the league leaders.

Stoke will be a tough game for them though. Arsenal have already lost here in the FA Cup so it'll be an interesting game to watch. Stoke are difficult to break down at home. It'll be a scrappy affair I reckon.

Scrappy indeed, happy enough with how we'll line out though:

---

Almunia
Sagna Campbell Vermaelen Clichy

---

Song

---

Fábregas Ramsey
Eboue

---

Nasri

---

Bendtner

Almunia being the weakest link.

Headshot

I think this is Arsenal biggest PL game of the season

A must win imo

L'prof

Headshot wrote: »

I think this is Arsenal biggest game of the season

A must win imo

Not really, to be honest. If it were the case that we could go top with the same games played as everyone else, then maybe.

That_Guy

jasonorr wrote: »

Not really, to be honest. If it were the case that we could go top with the same games played as everyone else, then maybe.

Well it's a massive game in terms of keeping up with the top 2.

The Sparrow

Not sure if it is their biggest game of the season but after the Chelsea result it is massive for Arsenal. If they have any pretentions of winning the league they must win this game on a weekend when Chelsea lost badly and Man Utd aren't playing a league game.

And it is exactly the type of game that Arsenal have a reputation for messing up against a physical team so it will be very interesting.

redout

Delap to get an assist.

That_Guy

redout wrote: »

Delap to get an assist.

Almost a given at this stage.

L'prof

That_Guy wrote: »

Well it's a massive game in terms of keeping up with the top 2.

Definitely a big game, just not quite as big as Headshot reckons!

That_Guy

Unbelievable.

The Sparrow

Great start from Stoke. Delap should try out as a quarterback.

Headshot

go old danny

former man utd youngster

L'prof

Won't win this one now...great!!!

everdead.ie

Looks like we'll be hearing about how wenger thinks they should be kick ins instead of throw ins

The Sparrow

jasonorr wrote: »

Won't win this one now...great!!!

Still 80 odd mins left. That's a bit premature!

L'prof

The Sparrow wrote: »

Still 80 odd mins left. That's a bit premature!

You'd think so but, I wasn't overly confident before the game to be honest! Need an equaliser quick and definitely before half time or I fear a point is the best we'll get!

That_Guy

The Sparrow wrote: »

Still 80 odd mins left. That's a bit premature!

That's what she...... Ah never mind. Stoke have started this so so well. They may not play attractive football but they really do give it their all.

L'prof

That_Guy wrote: »

That's what she...... Ah never mind. Stoke have started this so so well. They may not play attractive football but they really do give it their all.

Not even watching the game unfortunately but, I know how they play and it will probably take us a while to get into this game!

That_Guy

jasonorr wrote: »

Not even watching the game unfortunately but, I know how they play and it will probably take us a while to get into this game!

Arsenal haven't been allowed play their game. They've been very restricted.

Raskolnikov

Is Diaby injured?

L'prof

That_Guy wrote: »

Arsenal haven't been allowed play their game. They've been very restricted.

I can only imagine :rolleyes: Off to watch the rest of it now.

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Is Diaby injured?

Unfortunately, yes. No return date yet.

Raskolnikov

Arsenal have just been completely asleep and not up for this so far. Stoke good for 1-0 so far.

redout

Anyone know why this match is on Sky instead of ESPN ?

That_Guy

redout wrote: »

Anyone know why this match is on Sky instead of ESPN ?

Bayer Leverkusen V Cologne too good to turn down?

amacachi

Whoop whoop!

That_Guy

1-1. Great header from Bendtner. First bit of pressure from Arsenal pays off.

The Sparrow

Cracking Header from Bentdner.

L'prof

That_Guy wrote: »

1-1. Great header from Bendtner. First bit of pressure from Arsenal pays off.

Great, I retract my earlier comment

That_Guy

It's been all Arsenal really since that goal. Stoke haven't been able to get forward as much as they were in the first 15 mins or so.

That_Guy

What were Arsenal doing there. Clear it FFS. Taking stupid risks like that could be costly.

Should've been a free kick on Fuller imo.

everdead.ie

Fuller doesn't seem to be getting any decisions his way a few times I thought he'd been fouled that he's not got anything from

Raskolnikov

Arsenal are just too leisurely, constantly losing the ball.

ShoulderChip

I really get the feeling I am watching the eventual champions (Arsenal not Stoke)

ShoulderChip

ShoulderChip wrote: »

I really get the feeling I am watching the eventual champions (Arsenal not Stoke)

Has a side ever become champions and not taken a point off second and third?

Minstrel27

Poor refereeing. Ramsay should have had a penalty.

OPENROAD

I hope the ref adds on sufficient time for these Delap throw ins

SantryRed

Papa Smut wrote: »

Has a side ever become champions and not taken a point off second and third?

United were very poor against second and third last year. No points off Liverpool and did they beat Chelsea at home because they onnly got one point at the Bridge?

OPENROAD

Papa Smut wrote: »

Has a side ever become champions and not taken a point off second and third?

United were poor last season but still won it

OPENROAD

Should Delap be allowed to dry the ball?

The Sparrow

Almunia really is a liability.

Minstrel27

OPENROAD wrote: »

Should Delap be allowed to dry the ball?

I wouldn't begrudge him that but he takes far too much time in doing so.

OPENROAD

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I wouldn't begrudge him that but he takes far too much time in doing so.

Are goalkeepers allowed to do it, just wondering if there is something in the rules, he takes way too long doing it.

The Sparrow

OPENROAD wrote: »

Are goalkeepers allowed to do it, just wondering if there is something in the rules, he takes way too long doing it.

Commentators just said that goalkeepers are not allowed to do it so it seems a bit unfair that Delap can.

Jigga

SantryRed wrote: »

United were very poor against second and third last year. No points off Liverpool and did they beat Chelsea at home because they only got one point at the Bridge?

United got 5 points off the rest of the top 4 last season, Arsenal got 6 this season (albeit all off Liverpool).

has anyone got a quality stream for this, iraqgoals one crashed, much obliged

Minstrel27

The Sparrow wrote: »

Commentators just said that goalkeepers are not allowed to do it so it seems a bit unfair that Delap can.

In that case he shouldn't be allowed to do so.

Minstrel27

Jigga wrote: »

United got 5 points off the rest of the top 4 last season, Arsenal got 6 this season (albeit all off Liverpool).

has anyone got a quality stream for this, iraqgoals one crashed, much obliged

http://www.veetle.com/frameworked/index.php/channel/view#4b86576f73029

CHD

**** me thats horrible to see live

Poor chap

Minstrel27

Oh ****, look at Ramsays leg

Peyton Manning

Oh my god, thats absolutely disgusting. The poor lad, its Eduardo all over again. That's horrible to see. Feel so sorry for the Stoke lad too, he's distraught.

Royale with Cheese

Eduardo all over again, I really really really hope Ramsey's career recovers from this because he looks like he'll go on to be a wonderful player. He won't play again for a long time though.

everdead.ie

Campbell doing his nut looks like Ramsey leg is dislocated or broken

Hope he makes a speedy recovery