Wednesday February 23, 2011 Day 18 Finished Emirates Stadium
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Injuries tarnish Arsenal win
Arsenal are a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester United after a 1-0 win over Stoke - but the night was marred by injury fears. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Arsenal
- Stoke City
- - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match at 00:01 (UK only).
90+5' Stoke launch a late onslaught, but Arsenal see it through. Wasn't pretty, but they get the job done. A 1-0 win for the Gunners.- 89' Going to be five minutes added to this match. Wenger is furious in the technical area.
88' Pennant flicks the ball over the wall. Very nearly a late equaliser. Hits the sidenetting.- 87' Denilson catches Whelan and Stoke have a free-kick chance some 30 yards from goal.
- 86' Fuller is tackled by Djourou, but Stoke have a corner. Pennant is going to take this one.
85' Andy Wilkinson is on for Wilson for the visitors.
84' Stoke going to make another change in these last five minutes or so. Arsenal pick the ball up in the midfield. Wilshere plays in Arshavin, but he is offside. Solid defending by Stoke.- 83' Whitehead comes across to make a fine tackle on Nasri. A second goal does not look like it is going to come for the home team, but one might be enough.
- 82' Shawcross nods behind for a corner. Wilshere throws the ball into the area, but Huth scrambles it away.
81' Nasri on the ball for the home team. Denilson picks it up before Wilson clatters Marouane Chamakh. He is booked for that.- 80' Arsenal just hoping to see this one out and then they can worry about Sunday's Carling Cup final with Birmingham. Imperative they don't concede a late goal.
- 79' All getting a bit nervous for the home fans as Fuller and Carew are blocked before Whitehead is deemed to be offside.
- 78' An offside flag goes up against Fuller.
- 77' Bendtner wanders off to be replaced by Marouane Chamakh, who has gone 12 matches without a goal.
- 76' Shawcross penalised for a late shove on Sagna. Stoke becoming desperate for this equaliser. Arsenal going to make their own change.
- 75' Walters replaced by Ricardo Fuller.
- 74' Bendtner dashes onto Nasri's pass, but the ball is out of play. Fabio Capello watching his match. The England manager looking an interested spectator.
- 73' Nasri on the ball. He picks out Wilshere, but Huth rises to head his cross out of the box. Arsenal continue to probe.
- 72' Bendtner nods Wilshere's corner over the bar. Brave header, but he gets nothing from it. Stoke not lacking heart.
- 71' Arsenal having to regroup. Sagna's cross into the area is knocked behind by Huth. The Gunners win a corner.
- 70' So on we go. Whitehead and Bendtner collide, but the home side have the free-kick. A real scrap now in this match.
- 69' Denilson is brought on to replace Walcott.
- 68' Looks like an ankle problem for Walcott. He feel awkwardly. Looks like ankle ligament damage. That is the last thing Arsenal needed. Walcott is being carted off.
- 67' Whitehead catches the young English forward, who remains on the deck after that challenge. He is limping and does not look in a good situation.
- 66' Walcott is down on the edge of the visiting box. He is in need of some treatment.
- 65' Carew making his presence felt among the home defence. Djourou penalised for foul play.
- 64' Wilshere matches Pennant stride for stride. Great defensive work by the youngster. Goalkick to the home team.
- 63' Arshavin skips away from Huth. Picks out Walcott, whose shot is wild and wide. That was a decent chance with keeper Begovic grounded. Needed some composure.
- 62' Fine piece of play by the home team. Great shot by Wilshere. Had loads of pace, but not the direction. Saved by Begovic.
- 61' Arsenal trying to exude some dominance, but this is a scrap now. Begovic has not had much to do in this second half. He has not made a save of note.
- 60' Walcott tries his luck from the edge of the visiting box, but Huth is out to make the block. Fine defending.
- 59' The home side will move to within a point of leaders Manchester United if they win this evening, but Stoke could do with a point. They are only three points ahead of third-bottom Wigan.
- 58' Stoke certainly fighting their corner in this half. Stoke have come to life in the second period. A much improved performance. They are back on the ball.
- 57' Delap aims the long throw at Shawcross, but it is Huth who arrives late. Free header, but he has nodded that over the bar. Szczesny was nowhere.
- 56' Arsenal pick up the second ball through Wilshere, but Stoke back on the attack. Djourou makes a timely tackle on Carew.
- 55' Carew tries to get a volley on Pennant's cross. Fails to connect, but Stoke are looking a lot brighter. Delap with the long throw. Headed out by the home defence.
- 54' Clichy is booked for a late tackle on Pennant. Flew into that tackle. Late one. Can have no complaints.
- 53' Stoke have come out ready for a battle. Pennant is deemed to be offside. Just went too early.
- 52' Sagan limping, but he should be fit to continue. Another late tackle from a blue shirt as Whitehead catches Arshavin before Wilson bundles over the home forward.
- 51' Sagna is the latest man to need treatment. Delap flies in showing his studs. Wenger looking unimpressed with that challenge.
- 50' Pugh catches Nasri late. Arsenal can start to build seconds after they scramble Pugh's corner out of the area.
- 49' Almost a leveller for Stoke! Shawcross's header is deflected narrowly wide from Pennant's cross. Very unlucky.
- 48' Djourou taken out of the play late by Carew. No booking. Fortunate there. That was a late and cynical challenge.
- 47' The word from the technical area is that Fabregas has a tight muscle in his leg and he has been removed as a precautionary measure.
46' We are off and running in the second period.- 45+1' A minute to be added to the half. There goes the whistle. Great start by the home team, but they have struggled since Fabregas departed. Well on top with the 1-0 lead.
- 44' Szczesny uncertain with a clearance. Whitehead senses the chance, but he wallops the volley over from 25 yards out. Was worth a bash.
- 43' Bendtner rises in the area to win a header, but he is too far out to cause any concern. Ball back with Begovic in the Stoke goal.
- 42' Walters is booked for a late tackle on Walcott. Mistimed tackle. Pulis is furious about that decision and so is Walters. Was harsh, to say the least.
- 41' Pennant looks for Shawcross in the home box, but Szczesny is equal to the task as he punches the ball out.
- 40' Squillaci fouls Whitehead. Referee awards the visiting side a free-kick which Pennant and Pugh are standing over.
- 39' Nasri tries to get movement on the ball. Free-kick floats over the wall, but spins wide. Chance gone.
- 38' Nasri works the short one. Carew clears, but Arsenal continue on the offensive as Arshavin is taken out of the play by Shawcross. Free-kick 22 yards from goal.
- 37' Wilshere can't bound beyond Delap. Stoke don't really have an out ball. Walcott picks up only to be tackled by Pugh. Corner to Arsenal.
- 36' Stoke have lived on scraps going forward, but Carew knows the way to goal when he gets the chance. That was a terrific save by Szczesny, who picks the ball up seconds later to launch another home attack.
- 35' Speak of the devil! Carew uncorks a volley from 25 yards and Szczesny dives to make a fine stop to his right. Fine effort from Carew, but a great save by the Polish keeper.
- 34' Stoke have yet to muster ONE shot at the home goal in 35 minutes of play. Sums it up, but here they come now.
- 33' Nasri wearing the captain's armband for the home side. He tries to race onto a pass from Wilshere, but too much pace and Stoke have a goalkick.
- 32' Nasri plays in Sagna down the home right flank. He throws over a cross, but Huth is standing tall to head that out of the danger area.
- 31' Nasri dinks a ball into the area, but that finds nobody as the ball carries past a post. Goalkick to Stoke.
- 30' Wenger pacing around the touchline with his usual bottle of water. He looks very frustrated at the moment. Good tackle by Shawcross on Arshavin.
- 29' Arshavin and Whitehead battle for the ball, but the Russian striker gets no change out of the Stoke man. The visitors win the ball back.
- 28' The boos continued to be aimed at Shawcross as Clichy overhits a pass that flies straight through to Begovic.
- 27' Offside flag goes up against Carew, who looks decidely unhappy as he continues to chase space up front alone. Wenger studying matters with a keen eye from the technical area.
- 26' The Gunners have scored two or more goals in 13 of their last 15 Premier League matches. There is surely more goals here tonight if they can find a bit more room. Stoke are sure to tire at this rate.
- 25' Arsenal with 70% of possession. Arshavin has a shot from the edge of the box, but an easy enough take for Begovic. He dives to make a comfortable stop.
- 24' Not much space in that Stoke defence. Wilshere, Nasri and Walcott working cute little passing patterns, but not really going anywhere with it.
- 23' Fine tackle by Song to deprive Pennant of the ball after he had been played in by Walters. Stoke hardly been seen in the home half so far.
- 22' Wilson comes across this time to empty the ball into Row Z. All a bit scrappy at the moment. Excellent start from the home side, but not much happening since Fabregas departed.
- 21' Stoke getting plenty of bodies behind the ball, but that is not going to get them a point this evening. Shawcross taking no chances as he knocks the ball out for a throw.
- 20' Sagna picks the ball up wide before Song tries to pick out Walcott. Too much pace on the pass and Begovic can collect in his goal.
- 19' Stoke playing 4-5-1, but Walters is caught offside. Carew is very isolated up front on his own this evening.
- 18' Arsenal keeping the ball moving, but Arshavin fails to get the better of Huth. Goalkick to Stoke as Tony Pulis emerges from his technical area to make a few points.
- 17' Begovic content to hammer the ball up the park looking for Carew, but that is playing right into the home side's hands. Arsenal back on the attack.
- 16' That Fabregas injury has left the Gunners looking a bit dazed. Just what they didn't need this evening. Stoke still to piece together any attack of note.
- 15' Has been an eventful opening 15 minutes. Shawcross getting the treatment from the home fans every time he touches the ball. Boos ring around the ground. Stoke have not won in London against Arsenal in 30 years.
- 14' Fabregas trudges off to be replaced by Andrei Arshavin. Dejection etched over the face of Fabregas as he leaves the action.
- 13' Fabregas is going to depart. He is unhappy about his condition and is calling for a replacement to arrive.
- 12' Strong play by Sagna, who makes sure Walters can wreak any havoc as he shepherds the ball out of play. Stoke don't look like they are going to have much joy this evening.
- 11' Bendtner brings down Pennant and he is going to be given a talking to by the referee Walton. A sore one for the Stoke man, but no booking.
- 10' Wilshere tries to pick out Bendtner, but just too much juice on the pass. Ball flies out of play. Meanwhile, Fabregas is looking a bit uncomfortable about something.
- 9' That should settle the home side. Stoke really have to weather this storm. Can't afford to lose any more goals otherwise this night could get out of hand. Wilshere and Song combine.
8' GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Squillaci nods the ball home from close range with the Stoke defence all over the place. Really poor defending it must be said. Nice play by Bendtner to pick him out.- 7' Lovely pass by Fabregas as he picks out Clichy. Just too much pace on the ball as it speeds off the surface for a goalkick to the visitors.
- 6' Carew is deemed to be offside as he goes too early. Stoke really under the cosh early on. The big Norwegian has a vital role tonight to hold the ball up.
- 5' Walcott again involved, but he is crowded out by the visiting defenders. Can't get any pace on the shot and Begovic dives on the ball. He is happy to take that.
- 4' Delap with the long throw-in. The ball comes back back to out wide. He wins a corner off a red shirt. Pennant with the corner. The ball finds its way back to him. His cross is punched out by Szczesny.
- 3' Lovely play again by the home side as Walcott wallops a volley over the bar from Bendtner's header. Arsenal certainly in the mood early on.
- 2' So close to the opener! Fabregas picks out Walcott in the opening moments, but his shot comes back off the post and back into the arms of Begovic. What a move!
1' We are off and running. Arsenal get the action underway.- 19.40 Teams on their way out. Lovely night for football. Arsenal in their traditional red and white shirts with Stoke in blue. Pitch looking immaculate.
- 19.35 Arsenal make seven changes from the 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup on Sunday. Skipper Cesc Fabregas is back with Wojciech Szczesny replacing Manuel Almunia in goal. Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci are paired together at the heart of the home defence with Nicklas Bendtner leading the Arsenal attack. Should be an interesting night.
- 19.30 Emotional night for Ryan Shawcross, who captains the visiting side a year after he broke Aaron Ramsey's leg at the Britannia Stadium in that forgettable encounter in Stoke.
- 19.25 The referee is Peter Walton of Northamptonshire.
- 19.20 Teams for tonight's match: Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Bendtner, Nasri Subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Denilson, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh Stoke: Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Pugh, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Whelan, Walters, Carew Subs: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Collins, Jones, Fuller, Diao, Wilkinson
- 19.15 MATCH FACTS: Arsenal have won the last eight home matches in all competitions against Stoke. There have been four penalties in the last three Premier League matches between Arsenal and Stoke City, with the Gunners winning one in each of the last three. Stoke have made 12 Premier League visits to London, winning three, drawing none and losing nine.
- 19.10 STOKE TEAM NEWS: Matthew Etherington looks set to miss the trip to the Emirates Stadium due to a fresh injury concern. Etherington shook off a hamstring strain to play in Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Brighton, only to be taken off with a back injury understood to be linked to a defect in his jawline. Asmir Begovic will return in goal ahead of Thomas Sorensen, who has so far played in all the FA Cup ties, while Dean Whitehead is also due to figure after being rested.
- 19.05 ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny will miss the game after picking up hamstring and back injuries respectively. Manager Arsene Wenger described the injuries as "short-term" and hopes the key duo will be fit for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham. Johan Djourou missed the FA Cup draw with Leyton Orient with a back problem,but is now fully fit and will start at the Emirates Stadium. Abou Diaby is suspended.
- 19.00 Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Arsenal's match with Stoke City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.
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Summary
- 88' Pennant flicks the ball over the wall. Very nearly a late equaliser. Hits the sidenetting.
- 63' Arshavin skips away from Huth. Picks out Walcott, whose shot is wild and wide. That was a decent chance with keeper Begovic grounded. Needed some composure.
- 57' Delap aims the long throw at Shawcross, but it is Huth who arrives late. Free header, but he has nodded that over the bar. Szczesny was nowhere.
- 49' Almost a leveller for Stoke! Shawcross's header is deflected narrowly wide from Pennant's cross. Very unlucky.
- 35' Speak of the devil! Carew uncorks a volley from 25 yards and Szczesny dives to make a fine stop to his right. Fine effort from Carew, but a great save by the Polish keeper.
- 8' GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Squillaci nods the ball home from close range with the Stoke defence all over the place. Really poor defending it must be said. Nice play by Bendtner to pick him out.
- 2' So close to the opener! Fabregas picks out Walcott in the opening moments, but his shot comes back off the post and back into the arms of Begovic. What a move!
- 19.20 Teams for tonight's match: Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Bendtner, Nasri Subs: Almunia, Rosicky, Denilson, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh Stoke: Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Pugh, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Whelan, Walters, Carew Subs: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Collins, Jones, Fuller, Diao, Wilkinson
Team Line-up & Ratings
ArsenalManager: Arsène Wenger
Stoke CityManager: Tony Pulis
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- W. Szczesny
- B. Sagna
- J. Djourou
- S. Squillaci
- G. Clichy
- A. Song
- J. Wilshere
- T. Walcott
- C. Fábregas
- S. Nasri
- N. Bendtner
Subs
- T. Rosický
- M. Chamakh
80′ - A. Arshavin 14′
- E. Eboué
- K. Gibbs
- M. Almunia
- Denílson 71′
Starting line-up
- A. Begovic
- M. Wilson
- R. Shawcross
- R. Huth
- D. Pugh
- D. Whitehead
- G. Whelan
- J. Pennant
- R. Delap
- J. Walters
- J. Carew
Subs
- T. Sørensen
- S. Diao
- D. Higginbotham
- R. Fuller 78′
- D. Collins
- K. Jones
- A. Wilkinson 88′
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Man of the match
Jack Wilshere - Arsenal
A willing worker for the home side after the loss of Cesc Fabregas early on.
