There’s not much to say about the Arsenal-Stoke match that hasn’t already been said. We know how Stoke play and despite a few years where Mark Hughes put lipstick on this pig, the fundamental nature of Stoke is to play like Stoke. In a relegation battle, I expect them to come out fighting.
In the comments to yesterday’s post, Tom had a good insight, however, and that is that Arsene will want to say that this has been a “successful” season. Getting to 72 points in the Premier League would put him just 6 points short of his first title-winning season and Wenger could claim that “in the past this point total would have finished 2nd, this is how tough the league is now.” But crucially, Tom also says winning the Europa League. I agree with Tom that Arsene will be looking for max points this season and will also think he can do that and win the Europa League at the same time. So, I expect Wenger to take Stoke very seriously.
What will be interesting is to see if he can get his players to have the same motivation. They know that the Premier League season is over. They also know that winning the Europa League is a major trophy and would bring them personal and club glory. I would be surprised if we see too many “take them by the scruff” matches in the Premier League for the rest of the season as players won’t want to risk injury.
A better Stoke preview tomorrow.
Just a couple more quick links today. First, there will be no British referees in the World Cup for the first time since 1938. I want to jump on this as proof that British referees are no good but that would be unfair. It seems like not only are British referees no good but the PGMOL is incompetent as well. The last FIFA qualified British referee was Mark Clattenburg and he made himself ineligible when he quit England to go ref in Asia. PGMOL tried to put forward another name as an emergency replacement (we don’t know who) and their application was rejected.
There were probably politics at work in FIFA’s decision to reject the emergency replacement but it’s still pretty funny that Clattenburg hosed them and that they couldn’t get another name on the list.
The second thing I want to say is that there is a huge game on Saturday that you should tune into if you have a chance. It’s between two of the biggest clubs in Europe, who have two of the largest stadiums, and whose fans are extremely vocal. I’m talking about Bayern v. Borussia Dortmund.
I know that you’ve probably been inundated with stories about how the Chelsea-Tottenham match is the most important match since the 1966 World Cup final but I’m not even going to watch it. It would be a good match to watch from a diver’s perspective; the two most prolific divers in the League, Dele Alli and Eden Hazard, going toe-to-toe-to-heel-to-ground-to-raising-hands-at-the-ref-to-ask-for-a-penalty will sure be exciting.
But that’s Sunday anyway and Saturday I’ll be watching Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. Should be a fun match.
Stoke preview then.
I’m not expecting much from Bayern-Dortmund. Bayern has the title all but locked up and they will probably rest some players, no? They are eyeing the CL at this point. One or two more wins gets them the league title, so why push it?
Still will be better than Everton-City.
Shows what I know. 6-0 Bayern. They came to play.
Thanks for the shout-out Tim.
Yes, getting the players on board and fully committed to the PL the rest of the way will be Wenger’s most difficult job.
Home games? Sure.
Away? I have my doubts.
The PL refs are paying the price for PGMO’ choice of officiating style which I believe is strictly influenced by the FA, who’s been promoting the PL to the world certain way, and successfully so.
I watched the friendly between Sweden and Chile the other day officiated by Anthony Taylor, who looked at the Swedish player hack at the ankles of the Chilean player three times on one play , bringing him down finally, but failed to produce a yellow.
Minutes later tempers flared after another foul by the same Swede on Alexis this time and it all almost got out of control.
No way a German or Spanish ref would’ve let that sequence go the same way.
Stoke should at least on paper have enough talent to stay up but I think their new manager isn’t up to the task.
Anyone who thinks Peter Crouch is still a viable option to turn the game around should probably move on from the game.
I’m expecting a convincing Arsenal win.
6-0 Munich. Jokes!
Burnley breathing down our necks now. Desperately need a win to keep them at bay in our bid for…uhh…sixth place.
18 minutes in and no one can make a simple pass.
Whistle stops another Stoke ‘counter attack’ off an Arsenal turnover.
Finally a good result when you run at players.
Can we put the hammer down on Stoke now.
The hammer blow delivered.
Now we are embarrassing Stoke. Too bad 😀
Full time stats padded by 20 minutes of good play.
Based on today’s showing, Wilshere not going to Russia.
We should buy Butland when Stoke go down.
We need a CB because today’s two were not convincing under light Stoke pressure.
CTPA
I was thinking the same about Butland during the match.
I don’t know his contract situation, but he would surely want to stay in the Premiership to maintain his international status.
Elneny continued to impress.
Signed through 2021.
I was thinking the same thing. Butland has repeatedly impressed when I’ve seen him. Elneny has been solid the last couple of months. Glad we extended him. Also seems like a really nice guy.
Arsenal’s U19 team are in the Dallas Cup final on Univision against Tigres right now 1600-1800 est.
Did anyone else noticed how much Bellerin’s passing improved after Mesut Ozil shouted at him!