Gooner Talk

“Ryan Shawcross has no bad blood in him whatsoever. There is no way in a million years he would ever go out to try and hurt someone.”

That’s what Tony Pulis said in his post-match interview when asked about Ryan Shawcross’ horrific challenge on Aaron Ramsey.

However, yesterday’s incident wasn’t the first time Shawcross has seriously injured a fellow professional.

In 2007, the defender broke former Arsenal striker Franny Jeffers’ ankle, leading many fans and journalists alike questioning Shawcross’ discipline.

In November 2008, Shawcross tackled Gunners frontman Emmanuel Adebayor when he was off the pitch. The Togolese was ruled out for three weeks, while Arsene Wenger let his own feelings out after the game.

The Frenchman raged:

‘Do you think Delap tried to play the ball when he tackled Walcott? Or that Shawcross tried to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch. All the players have been injured deliberately’

We’ll leave you to judge for yourselves..

Alex Song will miss Arsenal’s next two Premier League games against Burnley and Hull City after picking up his 10th booking of the season against Stoke yesterday.

The 22-year-old Cameroonian international was jostling with Rory Delap for the ball before Peter Walton subsequently booked Song for a seemingly innocuous challenge.

Song’s suspension could coincide with the return of Abou Diaby who should recover from a knee injury by the time Arsenal play Burnley next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have released the following statement concerning Aaron Ramsey’s shocking leg break.

“During yesterday’s match against Stoke City, Aaron Ramsey sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Yesterday evening he underwent surgery.

“The operation successfully reduced the fractures and whilst it is too soon to state an exact timescale for recovery, Aaron will certainly miss the remainder of this season. Our thoughts are with Aaron at this time and everyone at the Club wishes him all the best in making as speedy a return to action as possible.”

Everyone at Gooner Talk would like to wish Aaron Ramsey a speedy recovery after the Welshman suffered a horrific injury against Stoke last night.

The 19-year-old has become an ever-increasing vital part of the Arsenal squad, providing more than adequate cover for skipper Cesc Fabregas.

Get well soon Aaron!

Some of his best moments in an Gunners shirt can be seen in this compilation below:

Two stoppage time goals give Arsenal a crucial victory in the title race but at a cost, with Aaron Ramsey suffering a serious injury.

The win moves Arsene Wenger’s side to within three points of leaders Chelsea with ten games remaining, but this evening’s victory was overshadowed by a horrific looking injury to youngster Ramsey.

Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Campbell – Clichy
Fabregas – Song – Ramsey
Eboue – Bendtner – Nasri

Read the rest of this entry »

Arsenal have a chance to silence some of their critics in tonight’s Premier League clash with Stoke City.

The Potters have been a thorn in the Gunners’ sides ever since they regained top-flight status and last season Wenger, who controversially accused them of deliberately trying to injure his men last season, is certain to name his strongest available line-up for this meeting.

And whoever is picked will have to withstand a barrage of long throws from Rory Delap, which helped remove Manchester City from the FA Cup in midweek.

Team News:

Andrey Arshavin (hamstring), Abou Diaby (knee) and William Gallas (calf) are still out. Therefore Wenger’s main decision is between Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre for the centre back slot alongside Thomas Vermaelen. Both had their problems when a weakened Arsenal side went of the FA Cup on the same ground a month ago.

“Gallas (calf), Diaby (knee) and Arshavin (hamstring) are all out but Eduardo joins in training tomorrow [Friday] and we will decide after training,” said the manager at his pre-match press conference.

Gooner Talk’s Predicted XI

Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Campbell – Clichy
Fabregas – Song – Denilson
Nasri – Bendtner – Rosicky

Have your say on the predicted line up and scorelines in the comments section below.

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