Good Evening Positivistas,
Final whistle at the Britannia just blown as I begin to write. Overall I am pleased with not just the point but with the performance. Stoke may have changed their spots under Mr Hughes but there is still that very physical core to their game that, on other cold, Sundays afternoons over the past few seasons, we have not dealt with. A tense final eight minutes I thought when a little careless passing put our goal under threat. After Wednesday I am sure we were all on edge for those final ssssssllllllloooowwww few minutes …….but despite the sensation of time slowing, or even reversing at one point, the end finally came.
Did I mention no one who has won the PL has ever lost at the Britannia in the same season ?
I thought I had.
Who shone and what we did well in the old gold? I thought Nacho was superb today, and the contest between the Spaniard and Walters was between two intelligent, very fit professionals. Any error or weakness would have been pounced on but Nacho concentrated for 93 minutes and I doubt Walters has had as frustrating ninety minutes in front of the baying, toothless mob of home fans in a long time.
The Ox I also think produced the level of performance that has been trying to burst out for a few weeks. He was out creative spring in the middle of the park, loads of energy, winning the ball, turning, twisting, trying to pick out that special ball. Good to watch and it will have given his confidence a boost for sure.
What we did well I thought was control and retain the ball for long periods across midfield. For much of the second half Stoke were pinned back, if the ball was cleared it was quickly recovered and returned. Where we let ourselves down, and perhaps where we missed out German playmaker on the afternoon, was using all that possession in the final third of the pitch, in front of the home side’s goal. We opened Stoke up just once, with Giroud’s shot excellently saved by Butland in the first half. Too often I felt the Stoke defenders had a few seconds to regroup and our threat battered itself against the rocks. It is a defect that will soon be erased with players returning.
Much as it pains me to admit it Shawcross, Peters, Wolfschied etc, and behind them Jack Butland, are a formidable defence. Composed under pressure, even in the second half phase when they were unable to get out of their half. Probably not much to do with the Hughes and the ghost of Pulis rattles his chains loudly.
Less satisfactory this afternoon ? Having clearly made a mug of Wolfschied in the first minute, and attracted referee Pawson’s attention to the defender’s clumsy foul, (and having the elderly and overweight Glenn Johnson in front of him) I settled down to watch Theo make his mark. Wrong Andrew. A couple of useful interventions by Theo later but, on an afternoon which cried out for speed against the Stoke back four, the contribution was not there. ‘In’ occasionally, ‘out’ quite a lot. He was apparently surprised when being substituted. I will be surprised if the boy starts next week, although Chelsea do suffer from theophobia.
Did not see any injuries to our players today. Compared to previous bloodbaths in Staffordshire the violence was tea-party level today.
Two draws and points to match. Not the six, or even the four points, I suspect we all hoped for before the kick off on Wednesday. Nevertheless back to the top of the pile again. A good week off to rest and recuperate.
Enjoy what is left of your Sunday.
Positively Arsenal 
havn’t read it yet but A5 your the dogs nuts for efficientcy
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My god Adrew. You didn’t waste any time. Plan to be in Court early tomorrow?
Glad you decided to outdo the usual suspects who try to set the narrative from early with often spurious observations.First impressions not affected by the herd in the media and blogs are usually more accurate. And without the help of AW’s comments, you nailed it that Stoke was more direct and physical than usual without being violent. None of the sublety of Shaqiri and Afellay. from back to front as fast as possible. You wonder how that dolt Robbie Mustoe, who is paid to do punditry on the American network NBC, cannot understand the difference from playing the ball on the ground.
Also agreed that The Ox had a good game. I rated it a 6.5 out of 10. Maybe he doesn’t have the subtlety or range of passing of Mesuit but he matched Stoke’s physically in midfield and was willing to run at them from deep. It was encouraging and proves he has something to offer.
I see you did not have much time for my boy Joel Campbell whose all-round play both offensively and defensively made him one of the most important players on the pitch in my opinion. I almost gave him my MoTM but on reflection Cech earned it for saving our asses at critical moments.
I will take the draw and the point girls and boys. Given that this is historically our toughest ground, some of our best players out, it is an excellent result. Still top of the League with best players to return. Very good day.
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Excellent, speedy write up Andrew!
Much as I detest the Stoke fans, the club are just a handful of players away from ‘doing a Leicester’ in my opinion. They will be part and parcel of the competitive revolution sweeping through the English game I wrote about a few weeks ago and a point at the Brittania, come the end of the season, may not be considered such a bad outcome.
I half wondered whether AW has wrapped Ozil and Sanchez in cotton wool for one day only; our next few matches look eminently winnable with the returning cavalry due back in town quite soon. It’s tempting to suggest today’s match was the last of a gruelling sequence of games stretching back to early December. Ending up top of the league tonight looks to me a fantastic platform on which to regroup and push on.
Well played, lads.
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6 am trip to the South coast beckons AoB – an early edition required !
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I thought the performance was not good or should I say the quality was lacking in some aspects, our passing was that bit off, we put the ball out of play with what were simple passes, six or seven times, the ref being a homer did not help, him missing two clear penalty calls for us probably had a major impact on the result. Theo as you say was mostly out today, but not sure if that can all be put down to him, many times he made very good runs but without Ozil there to find him, his runs went un-noticed. The ref not giving him the clear penalty also impacts on how his performance is viewed.
Cech outstanding, Monreal very good again, Kos not his usual high standard, Per solid, Bellerin good in defense, but not at his best in attack, despite his willingness to make the overlap, his final ball was not what it has been in recent weeks. Thought Flamini was solid, went about his game in an unfussy way. Ox for me was ok but not great, Ramsey seemed to let the booing affect him, but a great goal line clearance right at the end to keep it 0-0. Campbell is a workaholic with an eye for a killer pass. Giroud battled and battled, Butland made an outstanding save to stop him opening the scoring. Iwobi looked very composed in his play in his short time on the pitch.
the game was very like a cup tie, a bit frantic, ref not calling what should be called, the crowd at its pantomime best, both teams with a must not lose mentality and a little bit more composure needed to settle it.
Still top, title still in our hands, we move on from playing the orcs away, to playing cunts at home next sunday. Wenger says Ozil and Alexis should be fit to return, now that could be the little boost we need.
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Mention in despatches for Joel, Hector and of course another faultless performance from our Czech stopper Shotts – I admit though the Walters v Monreal battle had my attention.
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It may not have been a ‘good’ performance Eddy compared to what we are capable enough, fair enough but on the day though I would grade it ‘good enough’ .
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next two league fixtures for top 4 – FA cup games in between, and the second BPL game is a midweek fixture again.
Arsenal at home to Chelsea and southampton
Leicester at home to Stoke and Liverpool
Man City away to West Ham and Sunderland
Spurs away to Crystal Palace and Norwich
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And Citeh have the 2nd leg of their COC semi final with Everton I think – I look forward to a battle
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I thought we done enough to win both games, two pens turned down and Butland making at least two excellent saves was certainly enough to win this game. One day, one important day, the refs my smile apon us.
A clean sheet today was impressive and this team and this squad is growing game by game, we will have to wait and see if its enough.
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A place where we have difficulties. Most of our creative hubs missing. Some leggy players. Not vintage, but fighting qualities shown, which will be needed in weeks and months ahead. But some very key players to come back. A win against Liverpool or Stoke would be nice, but ultimately, will take that.
The important thing is where we sit after a couple months of relative adversity.
If a ref smiles on us, don’t think it will be at Stoke , Arse or brain
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Yes very good Andy, but now I have nothing to look forward to in the morning.
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There was a time I always had something to look forward to in the mornings, sadly those days are behind me.
*another cup of tea vicar ? *
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Sounds like it was a good point following on from the exertions at Anfield in midweek. Two tough away games and two hard fought points. Next up two home games against two teams in need of a good beating.
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WENGER ON STOKE CITY, CECH AND OZIL
Arsène Wenger talked to the media after Arsenal’s draw at Stoke City. Below is a transcript of what was said:
on the game…
We did well to battle. They made the game physical, they were up for it, the players were up for it and they were up for a direct game. We had to have a physical response and show solidarity, fighting spirit and togetherness. We lacked a bit of creativity to force a way through and on top of that we missed good chances. They were fighting from the first to the last minute. We wanted to win the game but looking at our history here it is a positive result. Looking at the results of the other teams that played at the top, it is a positive result. But overall, we missed two points today.
on a game of two keepers…
I think Stoke was dangerous as well. I think Stoke played very well today in the air but we had clear-cut chances with Giroud and Campbell. Maybe there was a dangerous situation when Theo Walcott could have got a penalty or a free-kick on the edge of the box. Stoke have remarkable defensive discipline and they played very well.
on Stoke playing well…
[They] always [have a good game] when Arsenal come to Stoke. I must say I cannot fault my team for their attitude, it was spot on the way my team responded to the challenge. I used to be a bit more creative but overall it was a solid performance.
on a tough fixture…
We had all the ingredients of a team that is ready for a fight and respond. The pitch was not easy as well but we lacked the final ball on the counter attack but we did fight and we have to give credit to the team.
on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
He had very interesting moments in the game where he showed his qualities and how he can get out of pressure, go past people and get into the final third. In the future it can be a very interesting position for him. I played him in a 4-3-3 today. Normally we play a 4-2-3-1 as players like to push forward and I think it is a position that suits him well.
on Ozil…
He had an inflamation on his foot and yesterday morning we looked and he was not very well. He was not 100 per cent at Liverpool so I decided to leave him out. I think he should be back for next Sunday.
on the chants towards Ramsey…
I don’t listen too much. I focus on the game. I shut my ears and that is the best way to deal with it. I don’t know what to do about it and I have no influence over it. I don’t really know what they should do about it. When they get together sometimes they forget that individual responsibility. Maybe when you go home and watch it on television, you will be less proud.
Copyright 2016 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160117/wenger-on-stoke-city-cech-and-ozil#R8vAHMJUZxC2IwJT.99
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arseblog @arseblog 3h3 hours ago
Midfield passing: Ramsey 59/70 (89%) – Flamini 43/51 (84%) – Ox 39/50 (78%). (via @statszone)
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I’ve just finished catching up with the match and Andy has it pretty well nailed. Sure Ox misplaced a few but the boy is definitely finding his way back. I thought my boy Joel had done a Mesut with that exquisite ball to Olly but credit the keeper for a fine stop.
Yes Cech kept us in it at the end but one of the penalty shouts was plenty good enough for me. We put them under pressure, they withstood it, we grafted and worked hard. Nacho and Kos both played very well. Theo looked like the grass was too long for him at times but Iwobi is so comfortable in the first team so that substitution cheered me up.
Two away draws at tough grounds, top of the league. Yeah, I’ll take that.
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Philippe Auclair @PhilippeAuclair 4h4 hours ago
Stoke fans. ‘Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp’.
Vile.
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Wenger on if Ozil was missed today: “There is no team in the world that does not miss Mesut Ozil.”
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RICHARD @R_GOONER 3h3 hours ago
Everyone has the right to moan there is only 91 teams below #Arsenal
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Paddy @VieiraPaddy 2h2 hours ago
Schmeichel thinks we’ve lost too many points to win the league. Everybody else has lost the same number or more. Is he broken?
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Ranieri says Leicester City are looking to get to 79 pts, that would mean them taking 35 from the 48 remaining available
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Thanks Andy
Anyone who has a complaint after that match needs their head examined.
As you say – a professional job done professionally by our boys.
Not playing today:
Ospina-Gabriel-Gibbs-Chambers-Arteta-Elneny-Wilshere-Rosicky-Ozil-Alexis-Welbeck
That’s a rock solid team in reserve – The Cavalry will be soon charging over the hill to the rescue, with a battery of 6 pounders.
With Debuchy on his way, and `I wish him all the best and thanks for his services, we must surely be taking young Jenkinson back after he serves his final months of his apprenticeship out at the Thames Iron Works. Judging from his night out with the boys at the NBA game, he definitely see’s himself as one of the Gunners.
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Arsenal have 9 home games remaining, starting with Chelsea next weekend.
There are 7 away games including Old Trafford, the Lane, Upton Park and the Empty-had.
Man City have 7 home games, and 9 away games.
Man City’s away record so far is 1.5 points per game from 10 games,
City and Leicester have to play each other again.
Arsenal’s away points ratio is 1.75 points per game based on 12 games so far.
This is going to be tight.
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Yes, a good enough performance. Encouraging from Chamberlain, strong and determined, but he doesn’t have Mesut’s passing accuracy or vision.
I agree too about Joel, Nacho and Cech but I’m surprised no one rates Aaron’s performance today. I thought he was the best of the outfield players by a long way – industrious as ever but with more authority about him in Mesut’s absence.
The whole team was visibly tiring near the end but fortunately so were Stoke.
And you can see why Stoke fans like Arnautovic – he’s almost as obnoxious as Charlie Adam – the very definition of unpleasantness.
One major difference between Hughes and Pulis – Pulis would certainly have brought on Crouch for the last ten minutes and pumped long balls up to him.
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It will be interesting who makes way for Alexis. On current form, I would say it has to be Theo but I’ve given up trying to second-guess Arsène.
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Wenger said Ozil and Alexis should be back next week v chelsea, and that a couple more are two weeks away(I assume they are Rosicky and Wilshere) and two more not long after that(Welbeck and Coquelin). That would only leave Cazorla out.
DC there are some rumors that Jenkinson might be back with us by end of the Month, West Ham have bid for the Leeds Utd right back Sam Byram, Everton are in for him too,
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match fixing in Tennis now, but football is oh so clean.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35319202
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Anicoll, how efficient are you?
Well not quite what I expected, “Marie, Marie, Marie Le Veau, she”ll put a spell on you”, perhaps we needed Özil for that. Still, we were strong. The heretic in me cannot resist voicing a frustration. For all the deserved accolades ascribed to Koscielny he does make awful passes out of defence far too often for my liking.
The bottom line is we are still top. What numbskull suggested we have dropped too many points to win the league? This absurdity cannot be explained without assuming that bias is at the root of such a sentiment.
Sweet dreams….
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This is just fucking hilarious. Arsenal fans have stolen this chant from the Hammers who nicked it from the Geordies. (The Hammers are incensed):
“We’ve got Özil. Mesut Özil. I just don’t think you understand. He’s Arsène Wenger’s man. He’s better than Zidane.”
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AFCPressWatch™ @AFCPressWatch 1h1 hour ago
It’s the first time since Nov 2012 vs Aston Villa that Arsenal have drawn 0-0 away from home in the Premier League.
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Apologies for the source of these pics, but some show alarming issues with education , human development and I would guess general intelligence levels amongst some sections in this country
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3403946/Arsenal-boss-Arsene-Wenger-disgusted-Aaron-Ramsey-walks-limp-Stoke-chant-following-2010-double-leg-break.html
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The old fart’s thoughts
Watching the ‘Pool Manu game it seemed that we took more out of ‘Pool than they took out of us. Given our record at Stoke, a 0-0 draw that could easily have been 3-3 but for both keepers who were really good, was no bad performance. But the third disappointment of the week, 4 points dropped then THE “signing” announced by Arsenal.com. “Bank Muamalat” …who the bloody hell is he and how did he slip under the radar? My excitement at another AW signing was somewhat sharply dashed when finding out that this was an Indonesian bank!
Another disappointment was the absence of the Oz, Alexis and Walcott, oops Theo was on the pitch, I think. As for the performance of the crowd words fail me. Likening them to Neanderthals seems a bit cruel to Neanderthals. In general the Stoke players were better than their crowd but seemed to get away with more than their fair share of fouls. Surely we earned one penalty?
But it was not to be; Campbell continued to impress and his pass to Olly which could have given us the lead but for Butland, was positively Ozilish. The Ox tried hard but is just not at his best bar one great shot equally well saved by Butland. Hopefully he’ll get a goal sometime in the future. Even if it’s a diversion off his backside.
Petr, despite being run close by Butland, was undoubtedly the MOM and cleared up several dangerous situations.
Next up, Chel$ki and surely we owe them a big paybaclk?
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Logged in to catch up on the post-match comments and BOOM Andrew’s match review jumps out like a Jack-in-a-box. Ze German’s got nothing on you for efficiency sir.
I enjoyed the calm tone in that read. Stoke played a really good game and we did as well as can expected considering the star players we had out. Arsenal hv to do it at the Emirates going onwards and take as much points as we can on the road, and I have no doubt the title will be decided on the last 2 results amongst the leading pack.
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It seemed to me that once a clear professional foul in the first minute or so was rewarded with merely an avuncular shake of the head the die was cast, and meant that from the get go all the players knew what type of match it was going to be. That it didn’t turn into a total brawl says much for them all, and The Arsenal certainly more than matched Stoke in the physicality stakes. Yes, we might have had a penalty, but that was never going to happen yesterday, and perhaps the best chance of all fell to Campbell who all but scored a worldy to match yet another fine performance. I was much taken with Iwobi’s contribution, and hope to see him again soon, and the Ox in the centre of midfield was a hero, though I doubt many would see it like that. A bit of time for them all to get their breath back now, and worth remembering that as things stand any team that wants to win the League has to better our performance.
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That was the thing fH – I did not read Pawson’s rebuke to Wolfsheid as an avuncular shake of the head. A first minute obstruction 40 yards from goal very rarely leads to a face to face word from the referee and what seemed to me a “do that again and you’re in the book” sort of expression.
Unfortunately the brute did not do it again !
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I agree with Tim.
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First-minute obstruction? I didn’t think obstruction was an offence anymore. It happens all the time – it’s now called “shepherding the ball out” (as if it was a flock of sheep) and is never given as an offence (as it was in my day, he thinks, nostalgically). Also, look at the number of times Bellerin knocks the ball past an opponent, only to be obstructed from running after it. It’s the only way full-backs can stop him – that or double on him, so they can obstruct in rotation. Talking about sheep, it really gets my goat. Clearly not in the spirit of the game, but, equally clearly, not an offence anymore.
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What “the brute” did do though was wrap his arm around Ollie’s neck and drag him to the ground. One of those occasions when I’m sure we would have got a free-kick outside the box, but as it was inside the ref bottled it. We’ve now had Mike Jones (who I see was the ref who played 8 minutes out of the 7 minutes time added on at the Bridge) and the dreadful Pawson in successive games.
Next week’s refs not revealed as yet, but I see some poor bastards are going to get Atkinson in the Euros.
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I see Theo has been spouting off to the press again. Anyone else out there wishing like me that he would just STFU and concentrate his time and energy on looking at his own performances? There is still a lot missing and he’ll no doubt be really pissed off if it’s him who gets dropped for Alexis.
On the other hand, maybe Giroud will be given a break (he has more than earned one) and Arsène can resume the formation with Theo in the middle. Could be very effective against Chelsea and Barca.
Whatever, they all have a decent break now before the next one and I have a feeling Chelsea will be less defensive than in Mourinho’s model.
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He is a most agreeable bloke Stew
I fancy Oliver or Clatters will get Sunday’s big game Dk – On paper the league leaders at home against a team just above the relegation zone should not be a fixture to cause any concern but after Deano’s ’embarrassment’ in September I expect they will appoint the best available.
Admittedly whoever he is wont be good enough for some but that may just be my cynical old heart.
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On another track completely, where are all those so-called fans who were berating AW for not buying Christian Benteke when Liverpool moved for him (and before that)?
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Hope you’re right, Andrew. Clattenburg would be very acceptable.
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On a more festive point you may be aware it will be PA’s third birthday on the 28th of this month.
In order to celebrate the event and apply some mutual back-slapping I am hoping that each of you will provide a contribution. Just what that is I am content to leave it to your good taste – I had in mind a favourite moment (s) in those three years at AFC, or the worst moment (!) , or what is PA all about, favourite player etc
I have already a couple of top top contributors prepared to put their arm to the wheel
My plan would be to spread the contributions over s few days so let me know whether you are able to put your own candle on the PA 3rd birthday cake !!
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If anyone wishes to discuss their ideas then feel free to get in touch @anicoll5 or anicoll5@aol.com
Let this event be marked in the way it should.
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Andrew hope the morning went well thanks for the review.
Clatters has received fair appraisal from the reviewers he’s long been touted as the best ref in the league.
we’ve been told that this modest(!) and undoubtedly top ref in the land likes to read those very reviews. How could he not! Probably has a few up of those reviews up and on the wall and framed at home where Brendan Rodgers had a self portrait.
Explains why he got demoted for going to a concert whilst others get away with “embarrassments”. Or why a certain club with a history of intimidating officials attempted to smear this official.
I think the whole league enjoyed his “erroneous” pelanty against Utd last season we’d waited a long long long time to see one of those *applauds*
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Fascinated news today in London courtesy of the Lawn Tennis Association.
Fortunately it could ne’er happen here? Um.
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To supplement A5’s top-quality post-game report, I commend to you Adrian Clarke’s always excellent The Breakdown from the dot com. Far more insight than the twatters seeking a scapegoat:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20160118/the-breakdown-stoke-city-a-
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Great stuff Andrew,like Ramsey when he was striving for form a few years ago,the Ox never goes missing,he’ll come through this particular spell a better man and player. Can’t believe PA is gonna be 3 years old,hopefully we’ll keep up our average of one major trophy a year since arriving.
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I think the Ox has already come through his bad spell to a certain extent. His display against Stoke proved he has the ability to control a game and even more importantly Arsene trusts him to do that even after his poor showing a few weeks ago. There is a long list of players who have struggled only for Arsene to put them in the firing line again and seeing them turning in to big players.
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