Not much to say frankly.
Arsenal dominated possession – 67% – and won 11 corners to Stoke’s none, but that wasn’t enough for a goal. Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud started for Wenger’s side, with the German forward playing deeper and acquitting himself quite well in doing so. Gervinho still lacks vision, to the point where I doubt it will ever get better.
Tony Pulis and Wenger were up to their usually antics, berating the fourth official at leisure. Andy Wilkinson’s challenge on Thomas Vermaelen in the 64th minute should’ve drawn a red from referee Lee Mason – who was poor throughout. Geoff Cameron did the MLS proud with a man of the match performance for the home side. Arsenal’s defense has been the shining light for Gooners thus far, thank you Steve Bould.
Stoke supporters jeered Aaron Ramsey for allowing himself to have his leg broken by Ryan Shawcross two years ago.
Giroud worries me going forward. Arsenal’s inability to produce in the final third has been glaring in the first two fixtures of the season. The Frenchman’s 40 yard lob that nearly found the goal in the 89th minute was nice, but he had Ramsey streaking down the middle of the pitch unmarked. Giroud has to do better.
Alright. Not the way we wanted to start the morning but we move forward. Hopefully Liverpool-Manchester City makes up for this dour affair.
That was fast; good job Devang. I am very pleased by our defense. Neither Stoke nor Sunderland had a whiff of goal. We’ll face sterner tests against the big teams, but I’m pretty sure we won’t look as hopeless as we have in the past.
We definitely need to buy before the deadline. And sell too; I don’t want Park, Bendtner, Arshavin, or Squillaci anywhere near the first team. Judas van Persie can’t be replaced by one player, but he doesn’t have to be. With this defense and our possession style, all we need are one or two goals a game and we should be fine.
http://goo.gl/eeMpH
Beth you must be a Spurs supporter then….LOL
I totally agree. I am totally impressed with Steve Bould’s defensive coaching this season turning our side into a strong back four. My worry is the goal scoring department. Cazorla has some nice creativity and vision making chances out of nothing for Giroud and Podolski but no good finishing touches. Wenger needs to go out this week to get that last piece of the puzzle.
And I agree with you TrueGooner, we need to get rid of Park, Bendtner, Arshavin and Squillaci. All of them are atrocious. But rumors are that Zenit St. Petersburg is going to picking up Arshavin before Friday.
I’ve heard all the rumours; I want action. I don’t believe anything until I see players in front of wall plaques holding scarves.
Zenit should really cough up, they’ve got tons of money. What are they waiting for?