Arsenal 1 – 0 Stoke – Good result! Match Report, Player Ratings & My Opinion

Arsenal 1 – 0 Stoke
Squillaci (8)

Match Report

The first chance came in the first minute, where a spiralling Wilshere run created space on the edge of the Stoke box. Fabregas then picked out Walcott, who’s shot hit the inside of the post and came back to the keeper.

Just a minute later, Bendtner, Fabregas and Walcott linked up again to create another good chance.

Stoke’s game plan was clear from the offset. Fire balls into the Arsenal box, and hope for the best.

It was Arsenal who took the lead early on. Surprisingly, from a set-piece for once! A long Jack Wilshere corner was flicked back into the box by Nicklas Bendtner. Centre-back Sebastien Squillaci was on the line to tap the ball in the back of the net. 1-0 to the Arsenal.

El Capitan, Cesc Fabregas then left the field with what appeared to be a muscle strain. Samir Nasri took the captain’s armband, and Andrei Arshavin replaced him on the field.

Just after the half hour mark Stoke made their first real attack of the day. Carew launching a shot at Szczesny, but the young Pole was equal to it.

After the break, both sides had chances. Tony Pulis’ players came out firing, with some heavy challenges.

Walcott then missed a glorious chance after the hour mark, being played into the centre by some Russian skill on the byline.

With 20 minutes to go, Theo Walcott went down after a harsh tackle from Dean Whitehead. Theo’s ankle buckled underneath the weight under his body and didn’t look great after. He was stretchered off and replaced by Denilson. Worrying signs for the Englishman.

The next 25 minutes were worrying. Stoke continued to press for the equaliser. Arsenal’s attack not good enough.

Player Ratings

Szczesny – 8; Fantastic display from the young Pole. A great save from a Carew early on. Distribution worrying at times.
Clichy – 7; Solid performance from Gael. Always looking to get forward
Djourou – 7; Battled well in the centre of the park, dealt well with the Stoke attack
Squillaci – 7.5; Similar to Djourou – did well for the goal.
Sagna – 7; See Clichy
Song – 6.5; Not his finest hour, keeps on giving the ball away. And definitely isn’t as good getting forward as he thinks he is.
Wilshere – 8.5; Man of the Match once again for me – what a performance!
Fabregas – 6; Shame about the injury. Lets hope its only precautionary.
Walcott – 6; Played well for the first 10 minutes, but died down and was anonymous in the 2nd half. The injury looked a bad one.
Bendtner – 7; Didn’t create a lot, but what he did create was usually good.
Nasri – 7.5; Had lots of time on the ball, but was wasteful from time-to-time.

Subs:
Arshavin – 7.5; Played well, creative and lively.
Denilson – 5.5; Nothing to say really.
Chamakh – 4.5;  Might have touched the ball once or twice in 10 minutes. Anonymous.

My opinion

To come.