Match Preview

Biggest game of the season? Ozil out injured? Ramsey off to Barcelona and Arsenal will let him…..

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

I think this fixture today is perhaps the biggest of the season so far. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger want to win the league, we fans want Arsenal to win the league but if there’s any chance of that happening, we really have to turn up at The Britannia Stadium, put in a solid performance and come away with a victory. That’s what top football clubs do.

Arsenal’s record at Stoke has been awful of late. Regardless of whether it was Pulis or now Hughes, seldom have we come away with any points. Two in fact from the last five trips up there which really isn’t good enough.

It’s all in the mind isn’t it and considering our last victory over Stoke was back in 2010 when that thug Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg, perhaps it’s understandable. Another nasty incident albeit at The Emirates in January 2015, was the deliberate shove by Marko Arnautovic on Mathieu Debuchy which sent him flying into the advertising boards causing a dislocated shoulder. An injury which in many ways, ended his chance of being Arsenal’s number one right-back. ‘Cowardly and dangerous’ was how Martin Keown described it and he’s right.

The home team have already beaten Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and a host of other clubs in front of their own fans but both Leicester and Liverpool came away something from their matches, the latter, all three points. Both West Brom and Watford have beaten them too so there’s no reason why Arsenal can’t. No reason at all!

For me the the midfield is the key area, it simply has to be more disciplined than it was at Anfield and if both Ramsey and Flamini start in the middle, both need to sit and be patient. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Elneny and Flamini started this one together though, neither would I be surprised to see Alexis Sanchez in the starting eleven as if he’s 100% fit and ready to go, then why not?

Just like our dreadful record at Old Trafford and The Etihad over recent years came to an end last season, we can stop the rot at Stoke today but to do so Arsenal need to start strong, be organised and certainly be up for the battle. Ignore the noisy home fans, ignore the fact that Mike Dean is officiating too and give him nothing to muck up because we all know he will if given the slightest opportunity. I seriously hope we are not left talking about him as we were after our trip to Stamford Bridge where Dean had an absolute shocker of a performance which cost us big points.

Arsene Wenger might think Stoke have changed their style, as does Mikel Arteta but as many said here yesterday, when it comes to playing Arsenal, they’ll just want to win and they won’t care how they do it.

We can’t afford any passengers today so if Walcott isn’t up for a battle, then bench him, same goes for any player who doesn’t like the thought of turning out for Arsenal on a cold winters afternoon when snow is in the air. Stoke will be out to stop us any which way they can, they might even try playing a bit of football too as they did against City when then thrashed them 2-0.

Every single player has to be in the right frame of mind, as does Arsene Wenger! Roll up the sleeves, give everything for 90 minutes, or however long Dean decides to play and win the battle ahead. And it will be a battle.

Win and we march on, lose and the same old bollox will be written and said about this Arsenal team lacking mental strength.

We are playing Stoke City, not Barcelona or Bayern Munich so go and get the job done Arsenal!

COYRRG’s!!

Ps – there’s a few rumours going around which suggest Mesut Ozil is out of today’s squad and the Express reckon Aaron Ramsey is heading to Barcelona in the summer and Arsenal won’t stand in his way….

Hopefully the Ozil story is just Twitter naughtiness….

rico

188 thoughts on “Biggest game of the season? Ozil out injured? Ramsey off to Barcelona and Arsenal will let him…..”

  1. Adam says:

    I don’t personally think it’s the biggest game of the season so far but it is a game that Wenger and the team simply must win. The two points dropped against Liverpool in the week will certainly cost us in the long run but today’s match carries an extra sting because, as we know, Stoke and their fans are truly vile and we have some history up there. Strangely enough, they never seem to give us many problems at home.

  4. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    It’s a must win.
    Simple as that.
    On the transfers…..Facebook is full of people who never believe rumours when we are linked to players, but are very quick to tell us when we are “selling” our guys.
    You’re spot on, Rico…..it’s all in the mind 🙂 🙂

  6. rico says:

    You both agreeing with me? That must be a first… 😉

    Scott, can’t see Ramsey gong anywhere tbh, but if he does, so be it eh…. lol

  9. Mike says:

    I think your comments about Stoke are always over the top. There are a number of Arsenal fans who could also be described as “vile” and to constantly belittle Stoke does nothing for Arsenal’s reputation or chances of a victory. There are ugly minorities at every club.

  11. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, I’m just at Euston, munching on some meatloaf… Good post…

    Morning All,
    Morning Adam…

    The Ozil situation is interesting.
    We could see Ramsey in the No.10/hole.
    Wonder if Gabriel will come on this time if we’re hanging on to a slender lead?

  12. allezkev says:

    That interesting Mike, have you ever been to Stoke, because I have and it’s the arsehole of the world, peopled by morons whose hands drag on the floor…

  14. allezkev says:

    Mushrooms, yum yum…

    I shall be having pasta this afternoon, with a cup of green tea, prior to the game/battle/punch up/war…

    Just another average weekend in Mordor.

  15. Wavy says:

    A win today would be magnificant, even 1-0 to the Arsenal. A draw would be OK, no a bit disappointing, if I’m honest. A defeat would be devastating and would seriously jeopardise our EPL ambitions.
    However, if I remember correctly we once lost 5-0 at the old ground back in 1970-71 season, and then went on to win the double!
    A loss would not be good but if history were to repeat itself, I’d settle for a “double year”!

  17. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Just finished eating stuffed courgettes. And then pudding aux flambeaux. Topped with? Yep…you guessed. Red wine.

    Good morning lovelies and hunkies.

    Rico cannot belittle stoke rugby club. They are already so low on the scale of worldwide creatures that they cannot be belittled anymore.

    If Ozol does not play then I would prefer Aaron in front of Elneny and Flamini. Joel and Alexis on the flanks behind Ollie.

  19. Wavy says:

    I like mushroom stroganoff, but only if it has fillet steak or pork tenderloin as an accompaniment!

    Enjoy your lunch Rico.

  21. Alwaysagooner says:

    Ozil not playing today might be bad 🙁 but I do believe we will win.

    Coyg and if Ramsey decides to leave it will be disappointing but I guess I would be ok with the money coming in (⊙_⊙)

  24. rico says:

    We didn’t get any snow Wavy…

    Spot on, any win will do today, an own goal would do for me and a solid performance…

    I guess I know where you will be sitting then Kev.. 😉

  27. dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, good motivational post, Rico.Horrible record indeed, I think i read 4 wins in over 20 league games up there. As i said during the week, I wouldn,t be too disappointed with a draw away to Liverpool and Stoke, a loss would hurt today, though.
    Lets just hope the officiating, does not let us down, so far this season it has been (Martinez,s words) Diabolical.
    If Ozil is out, we need a big game from Ramsey and maybe start Elneny and Flamini behind him.
    If Elneny plays it will be a big hello and welcome to the premier league.

  29. rico says:

    Same here Devil..

    Hi Dublin. Spot on re Dean, hope he doesn’t rule the day for all the wrong reasons, but he’s a northerner so expect the worst…

  30. Mike says:

    Well, Allezkev you have illustrated the point I was making. I am sure Steve Bould would be upset to read your descriptions of his home town relatives!

  34. Lewis says:

    Good day all.

    Never confident of a win at Stoke but as others have said if we are serious about winning the league then we have to be taking to points home today.

    Mike, I think if you’re an arsenal fan then you should hate Stoke about as much as any team, they are a horrible bunch of Cnuts.

  39. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Ox, Walcott, Giroud

    Subs: Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, GGibbs, Elneny, Arteta, Iwobi

    Good line up. Maybe OX is going to play in Ozil’s position. After Sunderland’s display its easy to see why.

    I agree with AW……good to drop Ozil and not risk Alexis. One is coming back from injury while the latter is in need of rest plus having suffered a knock as well.

    We need tough guys who are 100% fit for this clash.

  46. Hell Raising Devil says:

    The omission of Ozil will also throw a spanner in Stoke’s mind. They would have been expecting him to play knowing fully well that if they put a man marker on him he will drift out of the game especially after getting a couple of knocks in the first 10 mins. However with 2 B2B players in the form of Ox and Aaron Stoke’s plan is thwarted a bit. Yes, Ox is inferior to Ozil and with his odd mistakes he does infuriate us…..however I feel he is more suited to this game than Ozil. HAd it been at the Ems then it would have been different. However, at the Brittannia pitch where its not lush like the Ems, the Ox is better suited I feel.

  65. scottfromoz says:

    Potter, well said.
    If Mick can tell us that even one of those scumbags IS NOT booing Ramsey, then he may have a point, but they seem to be in unison.
    Scum of the earth.

  75. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    Ozil is no big loss, hadn’t made any assists in the last couple of games anyway, dunno what all the fuss is about.
    C’mon Arsenal.

  81. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Its not we having to settle down. What I see is that the players do not have first priority to score, but to match SToke in terms of physicality and stamping authority on the game. Having said that Arsenal players do look to attack when they have the ball in the attacking third. But until it arrives there they are simply matching Stoke blow for blow. bdw….we have committed a couple of hard fouls on them so we are dishing it out as well. And as Scott said….working hard off the ball.

    Ox is a different animal today. he is slowly settling in

  98. Micko says:

    Too right rico, should be 1 nil up.

    Ox ain’t doing too bad centrally today, Flamini seeing a lot of the ball as well.

  99. allezkev says:

    Mike, you didn’t answer the question, have you ever been to Stoke???

    I guess not.
    I guess you’ve never had the pleasure of standing among the Stoke fans, listened to the mindless abuse they dish out, especially to Arsenal players…

    If you had, then maybe your opinion would be different….

    Making comments from the comfort of your living room is very different from experiencing an away game…

    You should try it…

  101. Micko says:

    Kev, your never too old to learn something stupid !

    rico, a good stop but he should have buried one against Liverpool last week to put us outta sight, gotta take our chances when they come along.

  115. Madhav - Indian Gunner says:

    What the F___… That wasn’t a foul from Bellerin… What a joke that was… Even the lineman is on the phone I guess Rico…

  128. Madhav - Indian Gunner says:

    Ryan Shawcross is a prick… Elbowed Giroud and it went unnoticed… But to mention physicality, both Arsenal and Stoke made some harsh fouls but no cards were given… Shit… Adams just came on… He is a bad sign… Whenever he comes on, he tend to score…

  133. Lewis says:

    Well that’s 90 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.

    Other than the two keepers that was a game seriously lacking in any quality.

  135. Hell Raising Devil says:

    0-0.

    Motm = Cech

    Cech breaks his own record again

    We have come out of that shit hole unscathed

    We have done what Leicester, Manure and shitty did not do……take a point at that shit hole. All three were beaten there but we have taken a point and kept a clean sheet

    And by the way…..we are still first with 16 games left. every game we play and remain first we are inching closer to the EPL.

  138. Madhav - Indian Gunner says:

    It’s not a good game… But as contenders these are the matches that make a difference… It’s about whether you take 0 or 1 or all 3 points in a tough away game like this… We did well to take a point from this game without the likes of Ozil and Alexis… So we can take it with both arms open…

  140. allezkev says:

    Well, considering that Giroud spent the entire 90 minutes being fouled, particularily by that arsehole Shawcross, I think he had a good game….

    AOC had his best game for a long while…
    Campbell was very impressive.
    Walcott fairly invisible.

    Iwobi looked ok when he came on…

  141. rico says:

    Considering previous results up there, much better…

    Cech awesome. Campbell is a warrior..

    Our threat up front today was either off, or simply nullified by a good defence and keeper..

    As Devil said, and as said in the post, other clubs around us have lost at Stoke. We didn’t thank gawd….

    As for the ref, same old sadly……

  145. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Campbell is a warrior. It was right to take Theo off. He should have stamped his authority more in such a game.

    I am happy with the result…..as a clean sheet in every game is a must from now on.

  146. Joaquim Moreira says:

    1 more point.
    2 games away and 2 points. In balance, I think we dropped 2 points at Liverpool and this was a good score.
    Next Chelsea.

  148. Micko says:

    I’d like to give a big shout out to Monreal as well, another cracking game, so solid.

    Ox had a good 1st half but faded 2nd.

  149. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I have gone a bit on social media and some are lambasting AW on his choice of team and for leaving Alexis and Ozil out. In the circumstances we did quite well. We saw a battling display. And left without injuries and with a point.

  150. dublingunner says:

    Evening, Cech motm, says it all, Thank god for Cech. definitely saved us points today
    Although I said earlier i,d be happy with a draw, I am disappointed, apart from Giroud,s chance in the first minute of the second half, we created nothing.
    We missed the creativity of Ozil but in fairness they were set up well, and it was always going to be tough, I just thought we,d of created more.
    Altough a draw was a reasonable result,I dont think we had much about us today tbh.

    I read earlier that we need that impact player to bring off the bench in tight games when you need a goal, and i agree.

  151. Micko says:

    Dublin, after letting in 7 in our last couple of games it was important we didn’t concede today, Cech was not gonna be beaten, know what you mean about us not having much about us, we gotta take our chances when they come along, that’s now 6 visits up there without a win, fooking Northern Monkeys.

  152. Joe says:

    Òzil,Sanchez,Carzola,Coq,Wilshere,Welbeck and TR07 never mind the numbers look at the quality.
    I ask you if you took the quality of players out of any team in the world I am not sure they’d be top of their league.

  154. scottfromoz says:

    I’d find it very difficult to criticise that performance.
    I guess if we went back 3 months, and wrote that team down on paper, we’d have all been expecting a loss away to Stoke.
    Some of these players really have stepped up a level this season, and that may well be why we are on top at present.
    Missing Alexis and Coquelin for so long-who’s honestly have believed we’d be top??
    I doubt even Wenger would have.
    There is absolutely no doubt in my mind Giroud was manhandled in the box, and should’ve received a penalty.
    That referee was a disgrace and the game could easily have turned very nasty, as he had no control at all.

  155. dublingunner says:

    No doubting the quality of those players and what they will bring to the team once their back,
    but 11 first teamers today failed to bring any creativity also felt the passing was delayed and sloppy, and only Cech was in inspired form, could of been a very bad result for us.
    Still AW has confirmed Sanchez and Ozil should be fit for Chelsea. good news

  157. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Maybe that was the reason he had no control at all Scott. Maybe he wanted it to let go until an Arsenal player retaliated and he would have sent him off quicker than his hands went into the red card pocket. Thankfully none of our players reacted.

    Imo this was a good result. Missing so many players and still being top of the league with 16 games remaining speaks volumes about this team.

    I did not agree on one thing. I would have replaced Theo with Elneny and sent Ox on the wing and Aaron behind Ollie. Then I would have subbed Ox with Iwobi.

  158. Hell Raising Devil says:

    As I said before the game….I still think it was the right decision to rest Ozil and omit Alexis from such a game. They would have been targeted for sure and imo we would have been playing with another player less.

    The team AW put out matched kick for kick, blow for blow and punch for punch. Possession was 51% to us. True they had more shots but the fact we did not roll over speaks volumes. Yes, we have to thank Cech for it as well, but he is there to play not let others take the glory.

  159. Hell Raising Devil says:

    And next week against the Chavs I would be very surprised if Joel is dropped to make way for Alexis.

    So its either an attacking trio of Alexis, Ollie and Joel……or else…….Alexis, Theo and Joel.

  160. Micko says:

    Personally I think football should be made a non-contact sport as soon as possible for the good of the game.

  164. allezkev says:

    Scott, social media going bananas was it..?

    Who cares mate, frankly most of them go on social media just to complain, even if we’d won 5-0 many of them would complain, I’m not sure anybody gives a fcuk what they think…

    In the circumstances, Wenger picked the best team available, he protected Alexis and Ozil, who we’ll need against the Chavs and saved Elneny for the same reason…

    Maybe Walcott had the hump when he came off because he can see the way things are going and a fully fit squad could see him out of the team?

    Iwobi didn’t do much wrong when he came on, good control, nice range of passing, only once giving it away, all his other passes found their man, no Hollywood nonsense. And Wenger must trust him, putting him on in such a difficult game at a crucial period…
    Iwobi and Jeff could be very big players for us in the next 18 months…

  165. Wavy says:

    Ollie will definitely get his pick next week. He’s much quicker than Terry!!
    Not a disaster, a draw but we could and probably should have won. If you don’t shoot you don’t score and we didn’t have many shots on target or even off target, to be fair,cost…….?
    Cech was magnificant again, today, as were the other defenders. We lacked a little stardust when going forward and as was said earlier, far too many passes went astray. Most in Aresenal like.

    Bedtime! London tomorrow, a long day the Shard and then a bite to eat and a show up west! Shall need a cab about 1.00pm Kimg’s X, Kev??

  166. allezkev says:

    And a special word for Mathieu Flamini…
    I thought he had a really good game, especially against such uncultured and physical opponents and only days after such a hard game at Anfield…

  167. allezkev says:

    Ha ha Wavy, I’m having a day off mate…

    Got some forms and stuff to deal with as my license is due for renewal this year…
    CRB check and all that rubbish… ?

  169. Nashua Gunner says:

    Why on God’s name did he took Theo off instead of Ox? The Ox passes were terrible. His movement of the ball is another thing. At one point during the second half he just stand there while Ramsey was struggling to find who to pass the ball to.

    We did well considering the other teams who have gone there and loss. And the key players that we are missing.

  171. scottfromoz says:

    Kev, I love it when the muppets on FB erupt.
    I’m finding the criticism of Theo-when taken off- and now Ox strange.
    Theo worked hard and had his moments, while i thought Ox was good.
    His passing…..well who said he was Ozil??
    That’s not his go.
    Still, this is Arsenal and some Gooners simply must criticise.
    Micko, not sure who wants things to change, but a penalty is a penalty, so I’d like to see them given, when warranted.
    How many have we had this season?
    How many SHOULD we have had this season?
    It’s incredible.
    Joe, I’ve said for a few years now that Untold Arsenal show simple statistics that offer more than enough evidence that we get the raw end more of ten than not.

  172. tsgh says:

    Good morning Scott, Rico and all…

    I couldn’t agree more with your 8:41pm comment.

    Been to Stoke away for 5th straight game and it seems that every season those in-breds turn it up a notch…
    I keep asking why I bother, as its not the most nicest part of the country either…

    Monreal super player I must say.

  176. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. TS, that is indeed staggering but I doubt much will be done.
    Scott. There you have it re Facebook and other social media. They have given a voice, of equal volume, to those who if we met them, we would totally disregard and probably cross the road to avoid.
    As for yesterday? A decent point earned in a very hostile and primitive atmosphere with our most influential players all out against a team that have taken points from some big clubs. It is the dropped points against Liverpool that I find more irritating personally because we should have closed that game out I think.

  177. scottfromoz says:

    Hi Adam,
    Thats why I label them muppets lol.
    Not friends, just people who frequent various pages.
    Ginge, agreed on Nacho.
    He’d surely be one of the first names on any team sheet now.

  179. Joe says:

    There we all where yesterday expecting injured players back for the Stoke game and the injury list gets worse.
    It’s time to get out our lucky charms and stay away from black cats ?

  180. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    I am with Adam on the results. I felt more irritated by drawing with the dippers than yesterday’s result. I feel we should have won the match at the dipperstadion. And I am with Scott on those who criticise those who played yesterday. I feel that all of them put in a shift. And while I feel that it was right for Theo to be subbed I feel that the choice of the subs was not right.

    First it was Charlie Austin for just 4million now its Sam Byram for 3.7million. I feel that with Debuchy leaving and us in need of a CF to compete with Ollie an outlay of 7.7million for two players would have been wise. Especially as they are experienced and also English.

  182. potter says:

    I am convinced that Wenger has no interest in buying English players unless they are young enough to be moulded into his philosophy. Austin at 26 already has his own mind and maybe the return of Jenkinson to replace Debuchy is on the cards.

  183. allezkev says:

    Potter, I’m hopeful that Jenkinson will return, as he can do a similar job to Gibbs.
    He can sit on the right flank and double up with Bellerin if we’re trying to close out a game but can also get forward and be dangerous.
    He may as well be a sub for us as a sub for West Ham…

    Morning All

  184. tsgh says:

    Agreed there Potter; even though it appears Bilic has knocked CJ25’s confidence again after Big sam instilled some confidence by selecting him more often…

    Will have to say it again, that Debuchy signing is another poor financial management by the club.

    Debuchy deal over the 2 seasons is costing us upwards of £20m. £2.2m less if he leaves this month…

    If we had offered Sagna what he wanted it would have cost us less than £8m…

  185. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, we need an RB at the time, though.
    None of us could have envisaged (a) Debuchy would be injured so early on, and (b) Hector would be so good, so quickly.
    At the time, the call was right, I’d say.
    Sagna….well, Hector is better, IMO, so alls well 🙂 🙂

  186. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kev, how are you mate?? feeling the frost??? here we are feeling the bite. today its expected to go down to 7 degrees here. the cold I do not mind….its the wind which I really hate..

    Do you think that CJ will come back to replace Debuchy this month???

  187. tsgh says:

    Scott I agree his injury could not be envisaged but I disagree MD was the best RB we could have gotten for £10m. there was Riether, Coleman etc who were better than Debuchy..

    Debuchy was always better playing for France than NUFC.

    Sagna has made City’s RB position his;something I am certain Debuchy could never have done.

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