We're back at the Emirates for this tie which is positive for many obvious reasons. One less obvious reason, is that we don't have to hear quite as many brainless Stoke fans booing Aaron Ramsay for getting 'his' leg broken by Shawcross.
... Quite as many.
It seems the Stoke City fans are too stupid to realize that it was the opposing player that actually got injured.
No doubt Ramsey will start which irks me as I think he's one of our weakest and most lackadaisical players. However, we will more than likely see Nacho Monreal's debut as he steps in for the injured Gibbs and shite Santos. Although saying that, Wenger's so unpredictable these days, he'll probably have Santos in Goal and Chamack at left back.
Last time we met Stoke back in October, the scoreline ended with us victorious at 3-1, but I always dread this fixture.
Stoke are an aggressive verging on 'dirty' side. Very physical, like the long-ball and also like to run mindlessly at the offense, I presume to close them down as quickly as possible but you tend to feel they have other motives as they haphazardly lunge in. They remind me of AFC Wimbledon back in the Vinne Jones era.
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| Such a nice, sporting fella! |
They will make it very difficult for Arsenal to play the beautiful that we so often like to associate ourselves with.
Along with the likely inclusion of Nacho, we may see Mikel Arteta back from his ankle injury? I doubt he will start but if we're leading toward the final third Arsene will do his customary Podolski substitute and may switch the formation to include Arteta as extra protection at the back. We'll see...
As for Stoke, they were pretty active in the January widow picking up keeper, Jack Butland from Birmingham but he'll head back for the remainder on loan.
Their other acquisition was the American winger Brek Shea from FC Dallas. Shea who trained with us last year transfered for a reported £2.5 million. He obviously wasn't a consideration for Arsenal even after training with us so I'm not too worried about his presence. I hope I don't eat my words!
Stoke started January very strong but up to this point have won one, lost four and drawn two.
Predictions -
2 -1 to the Arsenal. But a grind to the final whistle will many new grey hairs.
I think both Giroud and Walcott will get on the score sheet but Stoke will probably get one back by using their muscle in the air from a set-piece.
Chris Foy is the referee which isn't too bad as he's fairly reluctant to show reds and likes the game to flow freely. He is a Northerner though (Merseyside). Just sayin...
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