Report & Highlights: Stoke City 1-3 Arsenal – A bittersweet day for the Gunners
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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
Midway through the second half, Ryan Shawcross hammered into a challenge with Ramsey just inside the Arsenal half. Both players went immediately to the floor and Ramsey was left with what looked like a very badly broken leg. Shawcross was immediately shown the red card by referee Peter Walton and the Stoke man was in tears as he left the pitch.
Arsenal, however, battled on and with the game heading into injury time and the score still deadlocked at 1-1, Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a handball by Danny Pugh. Up stepped their captain Cesc Fabregas, who slotted past Sorensen into the corner to give them the lead.
Minutes later, the visitors found the killer third goal to wrap up the points. Rosicky struck a shot from the edge of the area. Sorensen got down well to his right to make the save, but Fabregas followed in sharply to turn the ball back across goal and there was Vermaelen to tap the home into an empty net.
It was little more than Arsenal deserved after dominating the final hour of proceedings, but they were slow to a start and yet again they were undone by a Rory Delap throw-in. With just over seven minutes on the clock, Delap’s long throw-in was headed on towards the far post by Shawcross and Danny Pugh stooped to head home from a couple of yards.
Immediate thoughts will now turn to the well being of Aaron Ramsey but after tonight’s victory, Arsenal can again look towards the end of the season still in the hunt for honours.
TNXXX. CHRIS…. HOP AARON GET WELL SOON… INSALLAH..
This is just a carbon copy of 2 years ago at St.Andrews apart from the fact that we’ve managed to pull through and win the game. I hope that this time the lads can use this to motivate them and push for the title. Wishes have to go out to Aaron and im sure we all hope for the speediest recovery possible. Performance wise Clichy looked alot better and Bendtner was instrumental, he took his goal well and won the penalty, lets hope he keeps it up!
i loved sol campbell today.he was so passionate.so sorry about ramsey.
chelski massacred.arsenal looked like they really wanna win.
What a game. The boys showed that they have grown to be men. Didnt not let Stoke Bully us and we unlucky at the early goal conceaded.
Clichy is getting bk to top form and Bendtner is showing signs off improvements.
Win our nx 5 games in a row and we’ll surely win the prem.
Get well soon Ramsey
I gotta agree with diallo!! Campbell seemed pasionate from the hand shakes to the final whistle. The mans a real true leader & the rest of the lads just picked up the vibes off of him & showed huge spirit in the game, especially after ramsey’s injury where most teams would have let there heads drop we pulled up our sleeves & dug in & deserved all 3 points.
Keep showing the pasion we showed tonight & we can go all the way.
Keep your head up Aaron, We all wish you a speedy recovery.
Totally gutted about Ramsey. The lad is class and I know every Gooner is praying that he is fit and well as soon as possible. I felt happier today than the away win at Anfield. I think something has happened within the lads and I believe they can use all of it to push on for the title. Campbell was excellent (as were many others) and he really wanted it. Vermalean looked totally out of it (understandable) when he saw Ramsey down. But he managed to pull himself together, lead us forward and get the 3rd.
I think this togetherness inspired us today. When Cesc got the lads together at the end in a huddle it brought a tear to my eye. I feel we have the strength of character in this young team. You could almost sense the injustice of how the team felt after Eduardo was hurt in a similar fashion. You could almost feel them saying. ‘You’re not gonna kick us out of a win today’. They all stood together to change their destiny! Englands number one footballing team march on!
Up the Gunners – Arsenal for life!
another long term injury its not good for us but impressed with our performance well done Arsenal good luck ramsey in your recovery COME ON ARSENAL
It was a very costly win for us…with a fractured leg from one of our best talents….but a win anyway. We are at one game difference with ManU & Chelski, maybe we will finally be able to lead the table.
well-said and truly full-hearted words, Ben.
Poor Aaron Ramsey, this game was a thriller,
but men Aaron’s demise is hurting me right now…
I wish you a speedy recovery man…Goo Arsenal
agree with the above comments, sol campbell was a great leader today.