please log in to view this image Barclays Premier League 23rd Oct 2011 KO 13:30 Ground: Emirates Stadium Arsenal after having an awful start to the season have started to find their feet again with positive results if not performances. 5 wins in the last 6 games shows an improvement in results which can only lead to better performances. A run of wins will work wonders on the confidence of any side and the results will be performances which delight Arsenal fans. This Sunday, Arsenal will look to marry the two and really start that process of getting back up the table and into the top 4. Stoke on the other hand, started the season strongly but have found it hard to adjust to playing in Europe on Thursday and then the league. Stoke sit just like Arsenal on top of their group in Europe. Which for a first season rookie is pretty impressive. Stoke have spent a lot of money in the summer the three big buys being Cameron Jerome,Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios. There has always been a bit of edge to this fixture because of the two clashes of styles. Expect another feisty game as the two clash once more in the premier league on Sunday. Team News: Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson suffered a knee injury against Marseille in midweek and joins the Gunners' defensive injury list. Kieran Gibbs is still absent with the stomach muscle strain, while Thomas Vermaelen could return in two weeks. Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant is battling with a hamstring problem and faces a late fitness check. Danny Higginbotham, who has been out since April with a knee injury, could feature after playing for the reserves. Form: Arsenal:LWLWLW Stoke: WWLDLW Three Key Match Ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Stoke: Played: 93 Won: 49 Draws: 21 Losses: 23 For: 154 Against: 90 GD: 64 Last 6 meetings: Stoke 3 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 Stoke Stoke 1 - 2 Arsenal Stoke 3 - 1 Arsenal (FA Cup) Arsenal 2 - 0 Stoke Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke please log in to view this image Views from the Manager on Stoke My Line-up: ---------------Szczesny---------------- Djourou--Koscielny--Mertesacker--Santos ------------Song------Arteta----------- AOC-------------Ramsey---------Gervinho ----------------v.Persie----------------
Stoke are much better team this season, Pulis has turned his **** kickers into a proper team. Away from home they are still crap, and I reckon we've definitely got enough to win this game. When are we going to see OXO get a start?
i think the fact that they are now less off a rugby team and a lil' bit more of a football team makes it easier for us, maybe we can bully them with Szczesney, Coq, Frimpong, Gervinho and for his size OXO is very strong (if he gets to play)
I would start him on Sunday, personally. As for Stoke, you would expect them to improve that style a bit after the money they have spent. And it has improved but its still pretty ugly imo. They got crushed by Sunderland away and they have pretty awful this season so thats sums up their away form. Play it quick and they will will find it hard to cope on a bigger pitch and away from the tin box that is the Britannia.
My Team ------------------Szczesney--------------------- Koscielny-----Mert--------Djourou------Santos --------------------Song------------------------- ------------------Ramsey------------------------ -------------------Arteta------------------------- Chambo--------------------------------Gervinho ----------------Van Persie----------------------- Subs: Fabianski, Squillachi, Coquelin, Frimpong, Benayoun, Arshavin, Walcott We would win 3-0 I promise
I reckon it's a good idea to play the players that are on form. AOC definitely ticks that box, two goals in his last two games for Arsenal and the U21 Hat-trick, but that position would be at the expense of Walcott, who is doing really well imo. He definitely earn't his place to ask some questions though, he looks like the real deal to me
I think, of all our 'Starters' Walcott has been the worst, i think it is the pressure, he is at an age now where age isn't a excuse and every exprects him to finally fulfill his potential. if we start with the confident ox, and i we are winning with 20-25 mins to go, put walcott on so that there is not pressure with the win in the bag.
Walcott is playing and contributing to a winning team - so he deserves his place In my opinion, you never break up a winning team. But the fact that Oxo is knocking at the door, says it all. I'd definitely like to see him involved on Sunday.
Stoke have got a much more dangerous attack this season, Kenwyne Jones, Cameron Jerome both scored in the Europa last night. and there's Crouchy.... Seriously though, our defence is going to be tested. I'm hoping the solid performance in Marseille will help them kick on
Talking of AOC, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has revealed he tried to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the teenager joined Arsenal for an initial £12m in August. Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke that the 18-year-old winger was a name high on his list of summer transfer targets. "We were well aware of the situation, but when you've got Manchester United, Arsenal and the likes chasing him, you understand where you are," said Pulis. Stoke, currently seventh in the Premier League, travel to Arsenal on Sunday. Oxlade-Chamberlain, the son of former Stoke City and England winger Mark Chamberlain, has played just 28 minutes of Premier League football for Arsenal since signing from Southampton. However, he scored on his first start for the club against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup and then became the youngest Englishman ever to score a goal in the Champions League against Olympiakos on 28 September. Oxlade-Chamberlain has also won five caps for the England Under-21 side, scoring a hat-trick in the recent 3-0 win in Iceland, and could be a contender to be named in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for Euro 2012. "The kid is a future England star and I think he could even go to Euro 2012 if he plays enough games, he's that good," added Pulis.
I don't think he expects 'everyone' to. I believe he's talking about the players and those within the club, for which, it's essential that they all stay united.
