Stoke City v. Arsenal 2-1 1/Nov/08

Misery still surrounds Gunners, after the ignominious draw against Spurs on Wednesday, now on the travel to Stoke with a horrid loss against promoted Potters. Missery is the perfect word for describing the feelings the current Gunner squad, this missery is the result of a horrible performance and the fact that the "fake Arsenal" still looms in all the matches. Richard Jolly depicts our misery in clear way. With this pace, we will never get to title race. Even with the midweek game against the Turkish side all the pressure was put on the English Derby at Saturday.





In the first ten minutes the Arsenal pushed with the typical touching, arriving in several opportunities, with the most notable in Cesc's shot at 5'. Strangely enough Captaincy rolled now to the one that was in the "Unnamable" times the third captain, Ivorian Toure. It was a mistake by the African that costed Arsenal the lead. One of those famous and record-breaking throwings by Rory Delap went into the goal. I think it was not deflected by Fuller. In any case the FA attributed the goal to the latter in a tremendous throw-in. I ignore if the IFFHS would consider Delap's pass as an assistance, because it is a pass outside the pitch, unlike freekicks. Anyway the Arsenal was confused and Stoke progressively gained possession and confidence while a couple of more Delap's rockets dangerously reached the box.
Even with time passing Arsenal's efforts were the delight for the Stoke crowd, such as Diaby WIDE shot at 25'.
All defensive situations for Stoke were stopped in Arsenal's counters. Cetainly many Arsenal players underestimated the situation an waited until the equalizer arrived. The visiting squad was speculating and Stoke fans kept their party going with all the wide opportunities by the opposition.





But actually the second half did not looked that promising as the first for the visiting side: Stoke rose above level with several nice opportunities. Two injuries attended infield at 55', Adebayor and Sagana, gave a far unlucky promising run for Arsenal. Still Arsenal's wide attempts showed a lack of training in practice sessions. As the game progressed and with Theo's entrance on Sagna's injury, the travelling Londoners roared on the visiting stand for the Dutchman van Persie. Arrivals from Arsenal to mention were Kolo Toure's over-the-bar shot and a wide Theo shot, all at 60'. Finally fans request was granted when the Durchamn came on for Denilson. By 70' Arsenal's signs of desperation did not appear until Adebayor got replaced by Mexican Vela. The swaying 3-2, 3-3 again was used by Wenger. Immediately after the substitution Delap took another throw that managed to get inside the net after a strange two-chest stroke by Olofiniana. Stoke had the time of its life, beating two-nil one of the Big Four. Just when the missery was beginning to pile up for the visiting squad the required Dutchamn featured another one of his baby riots, after innecesarily pushed Sorenssen. Two-nil down and with ten men the Arsenal hoped for the miracle to come. Walcott's old and niggling shoulder injury came off when Delap made him fall badly. Even when every supporter expected one of that famous late shows in which the Arsenal could tie or win the late goal came at 94' when a surprise shot from Clichy entered the net after several deflections by Stoke defenders. The dissapointing result could not have been worse for the upcoming decisive fixture against Utd.