Stoke City v. Arsenal 1-3 27/Feb/10

Everybody in shock.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]


To define today's match as "bitter-sweet" would be something of a gross understatement. Instead the Gunners' performance was set by the shadow and light as the Londoners came back from a one-goal deficit at the Britannia Stadium. If there is some hope and cheer after Chelsea's defeat against Man City at home it vanished into the darkest of nightmares as some horrid memories from Eduardo's nightmares came to light, when something of the sort happened to the young Welsh international Aaron Ramsey.
As the live images for supporters and neutrals arose after a violent shock between the Welshman and Shawcross, the awful fact that his right leg was broken sparked the most furious responses from players infield. Cesc Fábregas, main witness of the previous fatality on Eduardo moaned as another terrible image came to live again. Immediately after Bendtner and others requested immediate assistance.
As Shawcross left in tears the pitch, some players were gutted, but at the same time the away win meant much more than the three points at this stage -loosing one contending and promising youngster. Any prognosis made on the subject would be to early to tell since this kind of injuries tend to end careers.
In the context of the Carling Cup final, the Gunners confronted the Potters to earn another win in their solid contention for May glory. In a rather suffered fashion the Gunners took advantage of several mistakes and even when they faced a tough proof due to the fact that many of the injury-hit players were in the treatment table. The words of John Toshack, Wales gaffer, really sum up particularly well the situation of Shawcross: "The tackle by Ryan Shawcross was at best mistimed, at worst reckless and desperate."



Horror, fear, anger.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


The fact that this has happened "in five years I've seem three of them" as Cesc claims, really proves nothing. What it seems more close to an argument on that train of thought is the game developed by Arsenal is antithetical against the likes of Stoke, to say the least.
In the internet atmosphere many made dangerous assertions; probably the best were, naturally by David Young and Phillipe Auclaire in an special appearance in the Arsecast.
One thing to mention was the display that Cesc Fábregas gave to the match. He captained the Gunners' sinking boat, from the abyss to the final end with composure worth of world class player. That he remains as an Arsenal player must be vital for the development of the club in years to come.



Stoke players showing some respect.
[Photo: Lindsey Parnaby/Epa via Guardian]


Just as in the previous matches, the obvious psychological burden of Rory Delap's throw in took another victim. This time the dismal defending by the Gunners costed them the lead as early as the 8th minute. Puigh found himself completely unmarked as he headed past Almunia. The horrific scenery was enhanced by a dominion of Stoke throughout the following twenty minutes: if the Londoners slowly recovered their breath, the Potters were ready enough to challenge back.
The lack of product from the visitors was mere rubbish; that changed in the 31st minute when Cesc lobed to Bendtner, who, with ease and calm, headed to Sorensen's far post. Reaching the final third of the first part, the Gunners seemed to have a complete control of the situation at Britannia: 68% of possession reaching the end, was a real encouraging prospect for the Londoners to face the next minutes.



Clichy's dismay and Bendtner's reaction.
[Photo: Daily Mail]


The incessant work of the visitors came thoroughly in the second half. Four minutes on the clock and Aaron Ramsey went down after an alleged penalty. The attempts and the poor performance by the home team was meant for the Gunners for the taking, but in the 66th minute, the previously commented event on Aaron occurred after a strong challenge with Shawcross. After several minutes, the Welshman was taken to the nearest hospital for an emergency procedure.
Rosicky substituted the injured, and the Gunners' momentum came to an end. Afterwards the main question was how the Gunners could overcame such a burden. What happened two years ago in St. Andrews was a remainder of the powerful shock that such an injury made. Instead, and after two substitutions, the Londoners completed their journey to justify and give Aaron the deserve, when Bendtner found Puigh's hand in the way of a pass.
Already in injury time, the Gunners got the precious kick from the spot. The demoralised team went on for the charge and Cesc beat Sorensen. The end of the hideous match was finished when Vermaelen just pushed the ball from point blank after Cesc shot. After crossing some words with Pulis, the Spaniard Gunner lead the way as a true captain to win a game to put the visitors a step closer on Chelsea, but mainly, for Aaron Ramsey.