Squillaci early goal propelled Arsenal one point behind leaders Manchester United. The Gunners beat Stoke City 1-0 on Wednesday at the Emirates but may lose some of the key players on Barca clash. Cesc Fabregas asked to be replaced in the 14th minute due to injury. Arsene Wenger replaced the Spaniard with Andrei Arshavin. The Walcott, too left the pitch earlier than expected. The winger came on the bench after he hurt his ankle. Denilson replaced him in the 69th minute. So, the French manager might have some problems ahead of the Champions League second leg against FC Barcelona.
Foto Source: soccerlens.com
The game opened with Squillaci’s goal. Bendtner fed the defender with a superb pass only to strike it home from close range past keeper Begovic. The first half would include one more action. Carew chose to thunder a 25-yarder which could have gone into the net if Szczesny hadn’t paid attention on it. The keeper made the save to keep the sheet clean.
As for the second part, it found the visitors getting closer to the equalizer. Pennant’s cross found Shawcross flying for a header which couldn’t beat Szczesny despite causing lot of trouble. Huth’s free header went just wide in the 57th minute when Delap opted for a long throw. Walcott got his chance in the 63rd minute, just six minutes before his injury. Arshavin fed the winger with a beauty but Walctot’s thunder met Begovic arms on the ground. Finally, the last occasion came in the 88th minute. Stoke tried their luck for the last time through Pennant. The right midfielder took a set-piece to strike it over the wall but into the side of the net.
The Gunners remain second in the Premier League table with 56 points in 27 games, one behind leaders Manchester United who have one game in hand though. Arsenal will next play Birmingham City in the Carling Cup and Leyton Orient next Wednesday in the FA Cup. The second leg of the Champions League round of 16 will take place on March 8 at the Camp Nou. Wenger’s side beat Barca 2-1 at the Emirates last week. Three yellow cards have been given last night at the Emirates. Arsenal’s Clichy and Stoke’s Wilson and Walters were all punished for tough challenges.
Arsenal – Szczesny; Clichy, Squillaci, Djourou, Sagna; Song Wilshere; Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott; Bendtner. Reserves: K. Gibbs, M. Almunia, A. Arshavin, T. Rosicky, Denilson, E. Eboue, M. Chamakh.
Stoke City – Begovic; Pugh, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Delap, Whelan, Whitehead, Pennant; Walters; Carew. Reserves: K. Jones, A. Wilkinson, S. Diao, D. Collins, R. Fuller, D. Higginbotham, T. Sorensen.
Premier League next fixtures:
Newcastle United – Bolton Wanderers, Saturday
Everton – Sunderland
Wigan Athletic – Manchester United
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Balckpool
Aston Villa – Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United – Liverpool, Sunday
Manchester City – Fulham
Stoke City – West Bromwich Albion, Monday
Chelsea – Manchester United, Tuesday
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