Arsenal 1 Stoke City 0 - Three Points With A Catch

This is actually a brilliant picture.

   
     Well then. An important three points, and well deserved. We got the early goal and held it for the entire match, keeping a clean sheet. Not often can you say that with Squillaci in defense, or the entire squad for that matter.
     But a brilliant match from Djourou, he really took the initiative and dealt with Stoke's aerial threats well. Squillaci also played better than we're used to seeing him, so overall, a good defensive display has earned our side a clean sheet.
     But at what cost? We've lost Cesc and Theo as casualties. Two key players to our title and cup contention. Without Walcott, I think we can still survive. But without Fabregas, wins are going to be much harder to come by.

     Arsenal started very, very brightly. Right from the beginning, Cesc found Theo, who smashed his shot onto the post. Just minutes later, Wilshere put a corner in and it fell to Bendnter who put it back into the danger area and Squillaci was there to head it home from close range. An early goal, and from a set piece at that. The most unlikely source.

     Then Cesc started to limp and kicked at the grass. He came off for Arshavin and headed straight down the tunnel. He has aggravated his hamstring once again, and will be out for 7 to 10 days. That means he will be back for Sunderland perhaps, but not for the Carling Cup final. But more on that later.

     After that, it was a very uneventful first half. Other than a rare Carew volley forcing Szczesny into a great save, it was a bland half.

     So the second half began and it seemed that Tony Pubis gave his side a good speach to pump them up. We were subject to some Stoke pressure, with Robert Huth heading over and Ryan Shwacross's header deflected just wide.
     And by the way, more than happy with the boo's Shawcross recieved. Thank you to all of those who were present at the match.

     Slowly, we got back into the match, and our posession was better. Then 20 minutes from time Dean BigAwkwardlySizedHead took down Theo who hurt his ankle. the result is Theo out of the Carling Cup with a sprained ankle. How long he will be out for is unknown at this time.

     Denilson then came on for Walcott and we were under pressure yet again, with Pennant brushing the side netting, but we managed to see the game through. One nil to the Arsenal it ended, and a fantastic win. Song referred to it as "Nights like this will win us the title."

     So back to the Fabregas injury. The man who will take up Cesc's vacated spot is Nasri, but Nasri isn't the same type of player as Fabgregas. Obviously Nasri is very good, however Cesc is better at opening defences up. I believe we can defeat Birmingham this weekend with Nasri, and a trifecta of Arhsavin - RvP - Bendtner, but I highly doubt we would be as effective when going up against Barcelona.
     It is more important to have Cesc fit for Barca than risk him for Sunday, and as a result he won't play Sunday. It's very sad for our captain, being the first final for him as Arsenal captain, but we all know what he has contributed.
    
     Now unfortunately I cannot do player ratings for this match because my stream was very poor and kept freezing, so I could not asses the game properly. But just a couple points-

• Szczesny had a very good match.
• Djourour also had a very good match.
• Wilshere had a brilliant match.
• Arshavin is back on form now for sure, and is a real threat now.
• That's Bendtners second assist in two games. Yes, he doesn't seem very effective, but like Arhsavin when he was off form, on paper Bendtner is fairly effective.

     Okay. I think I'll wrap it up with that. Not the best blog post, I know, but sadly I have many things to attend to that sadly aren't Arsenal related.

     If you want a substitute, check out Gooner Talk - a fantastic Arsenal blog.

     I'll be back later for a preview of Birmingham, and how Barcelona doesn't stop pissing me and other Arsenal fans off. I'll be back friday.