Arsenal MUST beat Stoke…..And we will!

Arsenal must beat Stoke!! by JH

I have been thinking a lot about our start to the season, and as I have said all Arsenal are missing is goals, we make chances but are yet to click when it comes to finishing.

Our latest challenge comes with the visit of Stoke, No wins and no goals at home, you would forgive Arsenal fans for dreading the game against Stoke, Stoke are often reported as our Bogey Team, so you may be surprised to see we have won our last 7 at home vs the so-called “rugby team”.

Arsenal fans have been throwing a fit over our start to the season, 7 points from a possible 12 is not good enough.
So perhaps the fact that Stoke are performing even worse this year with just 2 points.

After their last game vs West Brom, Stoke have new signing Ibrahim Affelay and Animal Charlie Adam banned for this game, Ryan Shawcross, another who is often overly physical vs Arsenal, is definitely out injured. They also have doubts over Diouf and Arnautovic.

Stoke are missing 3 of their most physical players for this game, Charlie Adam (who I felt would be a good bet for a red) saw red last week, Shawcross has an injury that is certain to keep him out. And a man I feel we should have signed, Steven N’zonzi, It caught me by surprise no Premier league side tried to sign him, he often played very well against us.

Now I have been one of many to note that Stoke are shifting the way they play under Mark Hughes, they are now longer the rugby team they were under Tony Pulis, and they do try to play football. But I do not for one second believe they will bring this new philosophy to the Emirates this weekend. They will push, shove and even kick our players until they can kick no more or our players can no longer walk.

The lack of Adam, Shawcross and N’Zonzi should benefit us massively. Their current back 2 is Muneisa and Cameron, who can be attacked. If we attack them with real pace I see us breaking our Emirates duck and adding 2 or 3 in this game.

Giroud comes into this game with a real point to prove, booed off by his own fans whilst playing for France. With Arsenal fans furious that Wenger did not buy a striker, Giroud has to show them why AW trusts him.

Sanchez returned to his scoring ways for Chile, scoring the winner against Paraguay, so here’s hoping he finds his shooting boots for Arsenal.

I believe scoring early will be very important in this game, the more minute/chances that pass us by, the more abuse our agitated fans will give our players and the more hope and support the away fans will give Stoke, but scoring early, that will give the fans a boost and perhaps reduce the pressure on our players and allowing them to play and finish more comfortably.

Arsenal must beat Stoke, there are no excuses, they have their roughest CM banned, their best DM has been sold, and their best Cb is injured, we need to go out, start quickly and attack Stoke.

Lose or even draw, our fans will be begging for Wengers Head all over again. It is 3 points or bust this weekend.

Do you guys think we will get the points? or will our Attackers continue to disappoint?

I think I will go 2-0, Giroud and Sanchez.

By JonnHirons