http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...nal-trip/article-3256910-detail/article.html? STOKE City could be without both Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington for tonight's trip to Arsenal (7.45pm). Etherington was always struggling after prematurely departing Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton with a back injury caused by a jaw-line defect. And now Pennant could be a non-starter at The Emirates after complaining of a knee problem following the Brighton win. "We'll take a late look at both of them," said manager Tony Pulis, "but both are a cause for concern." Pulis has no qualms about Ryan Shawcross tonight when he runs the gauntlet of an Arsenal crowd for the first time since his challenge left Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg 12 months ago. And he has praised the impact of John Carew after seeing him bear the workload of five starts in 22 days – after just two in the previous two months. "I think that's all water under the bridge as far as Ryan is concerned," said Pulis, "and he is just looking forward to a game of football. "Big John is fine. The good thing for us is there is another five days before our next game against West Brom." Stoke's support could be a touch thinner than usual at Arsenal after tonight's fixture – already re-arranged when the original was snowed off in December – was put back a further 24 hours at short notice because the Gunners had to play in the FA Cup at Leyton Orient on Sunday. Stoke objected without joy to the Premier League because of the cost and inconvenience to their fans – and their annoyance will be all the greater after Arsenal made 10 changes for the cup tie on Sunday. The Gunners are expected to wheel back in the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri, but defender Laurent Koscielny and striker Robin van Persie miss out through injury. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...hawcross/article-3256873-detail/article.html? DAVE Kemp is hoping the Arsenal faithful give Ryan Shawcross a break and treat him with the respect he deserves this evening (7.45pm). Stoke's assistant boss believes it's time to draw a line under past events as Shawcross faces Arsenal for the first time since breaking Aaron Ramsey's leg 12 months ago. "I don't think it will faze Ryan going there," said Kemp, "and hopefully all that is by the by now. "Let's get on with playing football and not dwell on the past. It's unfortunate that these things happen, but we can't harp back to every challenge or every injury, otherwise we'd never move on." Shawcross helps form the backbone of a Stoke side laying claim to being the only team in the top five divisions not to concede more than two in a league game this season. Only West Ham have breached Stoke's defences three times – and two of those came in extra-time during October's Carling Cup defeat at Upton Park. "I'm aware of that statistic," said Kemp, "but I'm also aware that we still have to go to some of the big clubs like Man City, Spurs and Arsenal. "Mind you, we've done better away at the bigger clubs this season when you look at how we got on at Chelsea (0-2) and Manchester United (1-2). Hopefully, that's a sign of our improvement." The 2-0 defeat at Liverpool at the start of February stirred a mixture of emotions, however, around the issue of whether Stoke were too negative that night. Kemp, pictured below, is adamant that grumblings of negativity were unfair and well wide of the mark in the context of the Anfield fixture. "Yes, we got criticised for the Liverpool thing, but on the night we had three forwards on the pitch and they had one... and yet we were being negative. I don't work that one out. "The result didn't go our way and it wasn't the best performance, but I thought we were quite bold with three forwards. "We had three games in six days that week and going to Liverpool is a big task. I've been there enough times and, trust me, it is difficult. We weren't disgraced at all. "We're just trying to do the best we can every game, but you can't go gung-ho, or you end up beaten badly." One recent development intriguing onlookers has been the decision to go with more recognised ball players in the shape of Marc Wilson and Danny Pugh at full-back in the last two outings against Birmingham and Brighton. "They are both important positions and we thought we'd try Marc there because it gives us good quality on the ball, which he showed by creating the second goal against Brighton. "He can defend as well, so he's an option for us in the future. But that's not to decry those playing in that position before, or at left-back now that Danny Pugh has been playing there. "It's just that we are always looking to improve and if you don't try anything, you'll never know." Arsenal embark on a programme of five games in 13 days this evening as they go gunning for an unprecedented four trophies in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham. The Gunners have been sending out mixed signals about their current form after beating Barcelona one minute, then drawing at Leyton Orient the next, but Kemp is in no doubt about the strength of opposition awaiting Stoke at the Emirates. "I don't think too many of the players playing against Orient will be turning out against us," he warned. "They're going for those four trophies, so they will definitely be taking our game seriously." He believes Arsenal's traditional ball-playing approach is now being complemented by a stiffer resolve at the back as Arsene Wenger fashions a team able to win as well as entertain. "I think they are getting better. They seem to have settled on a goalkeeper now (Wojciech Szczesny). "I thought the young centre-half (Laurent Koscielny) played very well against Barcelona, while the Swiss lad (Johan Djourou) has also done well. "So yes, in that respect, I think they have improved this season. "They're in a great position in the Carling Cup final and they obviously think they can also win something else this season. "With players of that quality, there's every chance. "They're certainly having a go for it and taking it very seriously." As Stoke will doubtless discover tonight.
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