Saturday April 28, 2012 Day 36 Finished Britannia Stadium

Stoke City 1 - 1 Arsenal

  • Crouch 9’
  • van Persie 15’

221 comments | Write your comment

  1. Stoke hold Arsenal to draw

    Stoke hold Arsenal to draw

    Arsenal dropped points for the third Premier League game in succession when coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Stoke City. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Stoke City
    • Arsenal
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with the weekend's other Premier League games, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • - Let me know what you thought of that game on Twitter now. Are Arsenal still on course for third place? Follow Tom Adams on Twitter!
    • 90+4' FULL TIME. Arsenal draw 1-1 with Stoke after goals from Crouch and Van Persie. The full impact of this draw will not be felt until tomorrow when both Chelsea and Tottenham play.
    • 90+3' A low effort from Song dribbles towards Begovic and it looks as though this will be ending in a 1-1 draw.
    • 90+2' Arsenal win a late corner...
    • 90+1' Crucial interception from Sagna! The Frenchman produces an acrobatic clearance from four yards out as a number of Stoke players wait to tap the ball home. A vital piece of defending.
    • 90+1' We will have four minutes of added time.
    • 89' A free kick late on for Arsenal but when the ball is rolled to Vermaelen his drilled effort flies just wide of the left-hand post.
    • 87' Sagna gets a snapshot away from outside the box but Begovic is equal to his attempt.
    • 86' Arsenal push forward in search of a winner and gain a free kick and then a throw in an advanced position.
    • 84' Stoke respond by replacing Etherington with Rory Delap.
    • 83' Arsenal make a change as Andre Santos comes on for Benayoun at left midfield.
    • 82' A ball from Huth finds Jerome in space in the box and he is denied by an acrobatic save from Szczesny at his near post.
    • 81' A rare opening for Stoke but Szczesny plucks the ball out of the air when Walters heads back across goal from a deep ball into the box.
    • 80' Chamakh, by the way, has only played 10 minutes of Premier League football in 2012 despite being a regular presence on the bench for Arsenal.
    • 78' A change for Arsenal as Gervinho, who has been poor, is replaced by Marouane Chamakh.
    • 78' A change for Stoke as Cameron Jerome replaces Pennant, who is unhappy to be removed.
    • 77' Stat from Opta: "Arsenal have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the top flight this season (19)."
    • 75' Arsenal are denied a strong claim for a penalty as Benayoun is pushed from behind from Whelan as he runs into the box. It probably should have been a spot-kick.
    • 74' Arsenal make a change as Abou Diaby comes on for Ramsey in midfield.
    • 73' Ramsey strikes a shot wide before replays show that the ball did strike Shawcross on the arm from Vermaelen's shot, even if he had strayed just outside the box.
    • 72' Van Persie's free kick strikes the wall and when the ball bounces back out to Vermaelen, his rifled follow-up is also blocked. The defender wants a penalty but Chris Foy is unmoved.
    • 71' Whelan trips Vermaelen 20 yards from goal and Arsenal have a free kick in a dangerous area...
    • 70' Arsenal now have 20 minutes to find the goal they need to keep their Champions League challenge in fine health.
    • 68' Szczesny comes off his line to catch a Stoke ball into the box but accidentally clatters into Koscielny in the process. The French defender is okay to continue though.
    • 67' Now Song goes into the book as the second Arsenal player is cautioned.
    • 65' Ramsey releases Gibbs but his low effort from the left of the box is blocked. Arsenal have stepped up the pace a bit here.
    • 64' Nice approach play from Arsenal as Ramsey and Rosicky pass the ball around patiently, but the latter's attempt to play in Van Persie with a reverse pass fails.
    • 63' Benayoun is deservedly shown a yellow card for a clumsy challenge to half a Stoke break.
    • 61' Pennant has too much space when collecting a throw on the right wing but Kieran Gibbs cuts out his subsequent cross.
    • 60' Whitehead wins possession in the middle of the pitch but his attempted through-ball for Walters is wildly over-hit. That was a good chance wasted.
    • 58' Ouch. A nasty clash of heads between Crouch and Koscielny. The Arsenal defender looks to be fine but Crouch requires treatment.
    • 57' Gervinho slips in Benayoun with a neat pass and the Israeli skips around one challenge before being felled by a tackle from Shawcross that was pushing the boundaries of legality.
    • 56' A change for Stoke as former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson replaces Shotton. That means Huth will push out to right-back.
    • 55' Rosicky, who is having a highly influential game, sprays the ball out wide for Vermaelen and the defender shrugs off one challenge before firing high over the bar with his right foot.
    • 53' Szczesny is forced into taking emergency action when racing off his line to hoof the ball out for a throw. Stoke have stepped up the tempo in the past couple of minutes.
    • 52' Arsenal get into trouble when dealing with a high ball into the box but eventually manage to scramble the ball clear through Sagna.
    • 50' Arsenal go close! Rosicky plats the ball out to Sagna on the right and his cross is met by Van Persie, who sees a good header saved by Begovic.
    • 48' Sagna desperately throws himself in the way of a cross to prevent Walters from having a chance on goal. Good defending from the right-back.
    • 47' Van Persie has a shot blocked from the edge of the box and when the ball rolls into the path of Gervinho the forward leans back and hammers his shot high into the stands.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • - What did you make of the first half? Let me know on Twitter now. Follow Tom Adams on Twitter!
    • 45+1' HALF TIME. Crouch and Van Persie both on target as Stoke and Arsenal go into half time at 1-1.
    • 45' Huth finds himself in an advanced position and pulls a weak low shot wide of the post.
    • 44' Pennant looks to find Shawcross with a free kick on the right wing and his header takes a touch off an Arsenal man to give the home side a corner. Szczesny makes a mess of the delivery but Arsenal do clear.
    • 42' This half is fizzling out a bit after a hectic five minutes in which two goals were scored. Stoke have tightened things up at home.
    • 41' Stat from Opta: "The Potters have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the Premier League (63%), while the Gunners have netted the lowest proportion (13%)."
    • 39' Stoke take the aerial route again when flinging the ball into the box but the linesman raises his flag for offside.
    • 37' Wigan have now gone 3-0 up at home to Newcastle, Shaun Maloney scoring with a fine finish. That is an excellent scoreline for Arsenal.
    • 36' Jon Walters is unhappy after getting a knock from Szczesny as he raced onto a through-ball from Glenn Whelan but it was not deliberate.
    • 35' Shotton walks across to take a long throw and gives the ball a wipe of his towel. However, Arsenal are able to clear through Benayoun as they avoid punishment from a strategy that has resulted in their downfall before.
    • 33' Arsenal are dominating possession and Stoke are being largely restricted to long balls forward. This is no real surprise and it looks as though the game has settled down into a pattern.
    • 32' Gervinho robs the ball off Shotton on the edge of the box but the Stoke defender recovers to et a block in.
    • 30' Gervinho and Benayoun combine well on the edge of the box but the move breaks down for Arsenal. Chances are few and far between at present.
    • 28' Crouch gets on the end of a ball into the box but Wojciech Szczesny is able to collect in the Arsenal goal. The pace has dropped somewhat in the past few minutes.
    • 26' Stat from Opta: "Four of the last five meetings between Stoke and Arsenal in all competitions have ended with a 3-1 scoreline."
    • 25' Ramsey finds Van Persie on the edge of the box but the Dutchman is unable to pull the ball down effectively and Stoke manage to intercept through Robert Huth.
    • 24' Ryan Shotton gifts Arsenal a throw in the Stoke half with a poor piece of control. That came about as the result of some determined pressing from the visitors.
    • 22' Stat from Infostrada: "Robin van Persie ended his goal drought from open play in the division. It was his 12th PL goal with his right foot this season. He has 16 with his left and one header."
    • 21' Stat from Opta: "There were four goals from just five shots on target in the reverse meeting at the Emirates Stadium."
    • 20' Van Persie takes a free kick and drops the ball into the box where Vermaelen is waiting to head just over the bar.
    • 19' Arsenal are applying real pressure on Stoke now, with Van Persie having a shot blocked and Gervinho threatening in quick succession.
    • 17' And as Arsenal get back into the game, news comes through that Wigan are beating Newcastle 2-0 thanks to two goals from Victor Moses. That means as things stand, Arsenal will be four points clear of Newcastle having played a game more.
    • 15' GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Arsenal! Van Persie strikes! The Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year draws his side level. Benayoun wins the ball on the left wing and plays in Rosicky, who delivers a tantalising cross for Van Persie to volley home from close range.
    • 14' Chance for Arsenal! The ball deflects into the path of Ramsey 20 yards from goal and he takes a touch before hammering the ball just wide.
    • 13' Stat from Opta: "Prior to today, Arsenal had conceded just five headed goals, the joint-fewest in the top flight."
    • 12' Song takes a floated pass to the back post well on his chest but can't fight his way through a sea of Stoke shirts as the ball goes out for a goal kick.
    • 11' "1-0 to the rugby team" chant the Stoke fans. They haven't forgotten what Wenger said two years ago.
    • 10' GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Arsenal! Crouch converts with a great header from a Matthew Etherington cross. Cross had been involved in the build-up with a fine turn and pass. It is a nice goal from the home side.
    • 8' Great chance for Arsenal! Rosicky finds Van Persie at the back post with a glorious cross but his firm header is repelled by a superb save from Begovic.
    • 6' Now Arsenal threaten for the first time. Yossi Benayoun intercepts a sloppy pass, allowing Van Persie to take possession, and after the Arsenal skipper plays in the Israel international with a tidy pass, Asmir Begovic throws out an arm to block the low effort.
    • 5' Chance for Stoke! Peter Crouch gets his head to a cross from the left but sends the ball just wide.
    • 5' You could say Stoke have set the tone early on as they look to leave Arsenal cowering again. Certainly the visitors will want to prove they are not susceptible to any bullying.
    • 4' Tempers flare already. Dean Whitehead goes into the book for a rather wild challenge on Alex Song and Robin van Persie is angry with the Stoke man. Whitehead got a bit of the ball but went in too high.
    • 3' Ramsey is in the wars early on after an aerial collision with Glenn Whelan and Bacary Sagna. He holds his throat and appears short of breath, but is fine to continue.
    • 2' Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny are both pressed into action early on as Stoke, as expected, bombard the Arsenal box. Tomas Rosicky was robbed of possession initially.
    • 1' KICK OFF!
    • 14:58 The teams come out and go through the pre-match handshakes. Ryan Shawcross, not a popular figure amongst Arsenal fans for obvious reasons, captains Stoke today.
    • 14:55 There's still a few minutes until kick-off so why not get on Twitter and follow me? Have been discussing Chelsea's deal to sign Germany international Marko Marin this morning. Follow Tom Adams on Twitter!
    • 14:50 While Stoke are assured of a midtable finish, this game has plenty of significance for Arsenal, who with three games remaining of their season occupy third place. However, Newcastle are three points behind with a game in hand, and Spurs and Chelsea are six and seven points behind, having also played a game less. If Chelsea win the Champions League, then fourth place does not qualify, making the stakes even higher. Premier League table
    • 14:45 This match is always painted, quite rightly, as a clash of styles. Arsene Wenger angered Tony Pulis by comparing Stoke to a "rugby team" in August 2010, leading Stoke to make an official complaint and it is fair to say there is no love lost between these teams.
    • 14:40 Here are some more stats, courtesy of Opta: "Arsenal have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the top flight this season (19). The Potters have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the Premier League (63%), while the Gunners have netted the lowest proportion (13%). Robin van Persie has fired in 63 shots on target from inside the penalty area, two more than the entire Stoke team."
    • 14:35 Arsenal do not have the best of records at Stoke, winning on just one of the last four visits, which came in the most testing of circumstances in February 2010 when midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered a broken leg.
    • 14:30 Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal will have to "combat" Stoke's aerial threat at the Britannia Stadium, but feels the Gunners can play their way to victory. Despite being acutely aware of the need for his side not to be outmuscled again by Tony Pulis' men, Wenger believes if his team play to their own strengths, then the Gunners can get the victory needed to stay on track for third place.
    • 14:25 Tony Pulis (Stoke City): : "It has been a long season for us - 52 games already - and we just hope and pray in the next four games we can pick up enough points to be where we deserve to be, and that is the top half of the table. The way the lads have worked this year after we started in July - their attitude and commitment has been fantastic - it would be lovely to finish with enough points to be in the top half. When it is all finished we will look back - it has been a long, long season."
    • 14:20 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Stoke: Begovic, Shotton, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters. Subs: Sorensen, Jones, Fuller, Upson, Delap, Jerome, Palacios /// Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Benayoun, Rosicky, Gervinho, van Persie. Subs: Fabianski, Diaby, Vela, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Squillaci, Chamakh, Coquelin
    • 14:15 Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): "We have to combat in the air because with (Peter) Crouch up front, he is technically good, he can bring other people in, but as well we cannot forget to put the ball down and play our game. We are ready to win. If you think are we ready to win petty, it depends what you call petty, but we will be faithful to the way we play football, that is for sure. We will not compete with Stoke playing an unusual game, we can only win if we play our game."
    • 14:10 TEAM NEWS: Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson (groin) will miss the clash against Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium. The 27-year-old, substituted after 33 minutes at Newcastle last week, is also doubtful for Tuesday's meeting with Everton but could be back for the final two games of the campaign. Winger Jermaine Pennant is back in contention after a virus but is unlikely to start.
    • 14:05 Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will be assessed after suffering from a virus. Czech international Tomas Rosicky has shrugged off a similar illness, while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun comes back in after being ineligible to play against his parent club last weekend. Winger Theo Walcott (hamstring) may feature before the end of the season but Mikel Arteta (ankle) is out along with Jack Wilshere (ankle) and German centre-back Per Mertesacker (ankle).
    • 14:00 Stoke City take on third-placed Arsenal in their Premier League encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

  • Summary

    • 90+1' Crucial interception from Sagna! The Frenchman produces an acrobatic clearance from four yards out as a number of Stoke players wait to tap the ball home. A vital piece of defending.
    • 89' A free kick late on for Arsenal but when the ball is rolled to Vermaelen his drilled effort flies just wide of the left-hand post.
    • 87' Sagna gets a snapshot away from outside the box but Begovic is equal to his attempt.
    • 82' A ball from Huth finds Jerome in space in the box and he is denied by an acrobatic save from Szczesny at his near post.
    • 75' Arsenal are denied a strong claim for a penalty as Benayoun is pushed from behind from Whelan as he runs into the box. It probably should have been a spot-kick.
    • 72' Van Persie's free kick strikes the wall and when the ball bounces back out to Vermaelen, his rifled follow-up is also blocked. The defender wants a penalty but Chris Foy is unmoved.
    • 50' Arsenal go close! Rosicky plats the ball out to Sagna on the right and his cross is met by Van Persie, who sees a good header saved by Begovic.
    • 15' GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Arsenal! Van Persie strikes! The Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year draws his side level. Benayoun wins the ball on the left wing and plays in Rosicky, who delivers a tantalising cross for Van Persie to volley home from close range.
    • 14' Chance for Arsenal! The ball deflects into the path of Ramsey 20 yards from goal and he takes a touch before hammering the ball just wide.
    • 10' GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Arsenal! Crouch converts with a great header from a Matthew Etherington cross. Cross had been involved in the build-up with a fine turn and pass. It is a nice goal from the home side.
    • 8' Great chance for Arsenal! Rosicky finds Van Persie at the back post with a glorious cross but his firm header is repelled by a superb save from Begovic.
    • 6' Now Arsenal threaten for the first time. Yossi Benayoun intercepts a sloppy pass, allowing Van Persie to take possession, and after the Arsenal skipper plays in the Israel international with a tidy pass, Asmir Begovic throws out an arm to block the low effort.
    • 5' Chance for Stoke! Peter Crouch gets his head to a cross from the left but sends the ball just wide.
    • 14:20 THE TEAMS ARE IN! Stoke: Begovic, Shotton, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters. Subs: Sorensen, Jones, Fuller, Upson, Delap, Jerome, Palacios /// Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Benayoun, Rosicky, Gervinho, van Persie. Subs: Fabianski, Diaby, Vela, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Squillaci, Chamakh, Coquelin

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6 7
      Defenders
      Substitution Out56′ 4.2 5
      4.6 7
      4.5 6
      4.8 6
      Midfielders
      5.7 6
      Yellow Card 4.5 5
      Substitution Out78′ 4.6 5
      Substitution Out84′ 5.3 7
      Strikers
      4.8 6
      Goal 6 7
      Subs
      Substitution In56′ 3.7 6
      Substitution In84′ 3.4 -
      Substitution In78′ 4.3 7
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.7 7
      Defenders
      6.1 7
      6.3 6
      6 6
      5.8 5
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 6.5 6
      Substitution Out73′ 5.9 6
      Substitution Out78′ 5.8 5
      6.5 8
      Yellow Card Substitution Out83′ 6 7
      Strikers
      Goal 7.8 7
      Subs
      Substitution In78′ 6.1 5
      Substitution In83′ 7.2 -
      Substitution In73′ 6.2 6

Comment 201 - 221 of 221

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. Arsenal are epicccc I love arsenal Who ever supports­ arsenal are epicccc Like me ARSNAL should of won­ that but they did in my mind LOL!!!!!!!!!!

    From , on Tue 22 May 21:10

  2. get rid of people writing S**t

    From , on Mon 30 Apr 12:04

  3. SPAM ....GET RID

    From stonewall, on Sun 29 Apr 17:18

  4. Yahoo, you have no effective means of protecting from­ SPAM...Disgraceful and discouraging for people to use­ as a medium.... GET IT SORTED OR BIN THE SERVICE­ ...........................................R U B B I S­ H

    From stonewall, on Sun 29 Apr 17:17

  5. re 268 --- that's what you think

    From Patrick, on Sun 29 Apr 3:24

  6. You might like getting your back door bashed in­ mate,but where i'm from,men are men

    From MS69, on Sat 28 Apr 20:30

  7. Nowt wrong wiv being gay

    From Ace, on Sat 28 Apr 19:55

  8. rubbish game

    From Dominic, on Sat 28 Apr 18:34

  9. tony b is gay

    From MS69, on Sat 28 Apr 17:59

  10. Man Arsenal are unlucky that they didn't get the­ penalty.......whereas Gareth Bale and Ashley young dive­ and they get one...........This referees are all­ SICK!!!!!!!!!!! they denied Arsenal victory­ tonight...............

    From GoonerDhanesh, on Sat 28 Apr 17:45

  11. Arsene had it right a little while ago, Stoke are a­ good rugby team I don't know how good but they are­ a dirty bunch of thugs,Stanley must be turning over in­ hie grave.

    From Tony B, on Sat 28 Apr 17:26

  12. Do not sack football managers or players BUT SACK THE­ SICK REFEREE for the best of football enjoyment.

    From AB, on Sat 28 Apr 16:56

  13. Who is this NO SPAM chump?

    From Michael, on Sat 28 Apr 16:55
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47

  20. NO SPAM

    From weirdoh, on Sat 28 Apr 16:47
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account