Theo on improvements, Van Persie, his form and Stoke
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REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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THE COMEBACK CONTINUES... RVP - who else? - was the catalyst with two goals after coming off the bench. Arsenal lacked dynamism before the captain's arrival but ran out comfortable winners in the end. Gervinho got the other goal and set up two for RVP, while Koscielny was excellent at the back
Full Time IT'S ALL OVER! ARSENAL HAVE WON AGAIN!
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DEEP INTO STOPPAGE TIME: Arsenal are just seconds away from a win that will take them up to seventh place in the Premier League
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INCREDIBLE SCORE FROM OLD TRAFFORD: Man City are 5-1 up!
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Substitution ARSENAL MAKE ONE FINAL CHANGE: Off comes Gervinho to a standing ovation, on comes Frimpong to shore up the midfield for the final minutes
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GERVINHO! Oooh, great save Begovic. RVP set him up and the keeper got a vital touch
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UNLUCKY ANDREY: Great vision from the Russian as he curls a first-time ball towards Gervinho. Begovic comes out to claim
Top Comments:
@Kuulsol on Twitter says:
RvP brought life to our game today not only with his goals but his presence.
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GERVINHO ON THE BREAK: His pace and directness has brought about two goals in the second half and he's on the move again. This time Gervinho checks back as Arsenal play keep-ball
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Top Comments:
@Rich23Rich on Twitter says:
Since my son was born we've won three games in a row...
84
KOSCIELNY DOES WELL AGAIN: Jones barges his way into the box but Laurent gets a block tackle in just as the striker tries to shoot. He's been very impressive again
82
HE JUST CAN'T STOP SCORING! Once again Gervinho is the provider, once again Van Persie makes the run into the box to beat Begovic. The keeper got a firm hand on it but once again the shot had enough on it to get over the line
Top Comments:
@fatahtahir on Twitter says:
Brilliant assist from Gervinho again!
82
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 3 : 1 ANOTHER ONE FOR VAN PERSIE!!!
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LAST TEN MINUTES: It's just like last week, well, it's very similar. Arsenal need to defend well again and try and nick a third to put this game to bed
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SANTOS PENALISED: That looked like a fair challenge but Stoke get another free kick. Arsenal playing on the break at the moment
Top Comments:
@SwaritSohaard on Twitter says:
Whenever Arsenal are down, Robin always comes to the rescue!
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STOKE PUSHING ON: Big diagonal cross... headed down... Szczesny claims and Jerome clatters him. The keeper is not happy about that and they square up. The ref gives Arsenal a free kick
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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Substitution STOKE MAKE ANOTHER CHANGE: Etherington comes off, Jerome comes on
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Substitution STOKE MAKE A CHANGE: Crouch is replaced by Kenwyne Jones
Top Comments:
@tonnywilliams on Twitter says:
The pressure finally pays off. Robbbbbbiiiiiiiiinnnnnnn!!!!!
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THE CAPTAIN HAS DONE IT! Gervinho scampers down the right and crosses low for RVP to beat Begovic at his near post. The keeper got something on it but the ball creeps over the line and Arsenal are back in front
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GOAL! - Robin van Persie 2 : 1 GET IN THERE! IT'S VAN PERSIE FOR ARSENAL!
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Stoke have been penned in for the last 10 minutes. Since Van Persie's been on he's looked sharp, scored the goal and Arsenal take the lead again.
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: RVP takes it, there's a flick-on but Stoke clear. Arshavin goes down the left and here's another corner. Will they make one count?
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Substitution ON COMES ARSHAVIN: Theo Walcott is the man he replaces
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ARSENAL MORE DANGEROUS NOW: RVP has taken their attacking game up a level. Arshavin will try to do the same in a few moments, he's next to come on
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
It's more concerted pressure from Arsenal now. Robin van Persie has made a difference since coming on. He's got so much confidence at the moment.
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SHAWCROSS LEADS WITH HIS ARM: And that arm crashes into RVP's head. He's livid but nothing given
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WATCH OUT WOJCIECH! Stoke come forward and Szczesny is forced to take the ball around the onrushing Walters. He gets away with it
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HE'S STRAIGHT INTO THE ACTION: A clever dummy makes room for a cross and Koscielny can't quite leap high enough at the far post
Top Comments:
@Lockura83 on Twitter says:
Hoping for the captain to score today again, PLEASE! But we cannot depend on RvP all the time. COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
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Substitution HERE COMES ROBIN: Off comes Chamakh, on comes Van Persie
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
I think Chamakh has done well today but you have to get the man of the moment on the pitch. Let's see where this goes now.
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SONG ON THE CHARGE: Good strong run from Alex and Whitehead clears for a corner
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VAN PERSIE IS CALLED TO THE BENCH: Robin is about to come on. Can he rescue three points again?
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WALCOTT ON HIS HEELS: Another through-ball fails to come off with Theo expecting a pass to feet. It's all Arsenal but Begovic hasn't really been tested
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GROANS AT THE EMIRATES: A good passing move ends when Song picks out a Stoke player when a shot might have been the better option
Top Comments:
@Lockura83 on Twitter says:
This is a veeeery good moment to try Ju Young Park...
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Substitution STOKE MAKE A CHANGE: Off comes Delap and on comes Diao
Top Comments:
@westonshippy on Twitter says:
What's this? Van Persie AND Park warming up? The big Gunners coming in soon (hopefully)!
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ALL A BIT FLAT: Arsenal are still looking for some fluency and Stoke are happy to break up play. Expect a substitution or two pretty soon
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WALTERS DOWN INJURED: He collided with a team-mate while that corner was being taken and is receiving treatment. He's up on his feet but Salif Diao is being prepared just in case
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
It would be nice to see a bit more of Park. He did very well at Monaco, has looked useful for his country this year and is supposedly a very fit lad.
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ANOTHER CORNER... and another one easily cleared. Arsenal really haven't made these count
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WELL PLAYED SANTOS: Andre takes matters into his own hands and makes a surge from his left-back spot. His run ends with a clever pass to Walcott and Arsenal have a corner
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Yellow Card WILKINSON GOES IN THE BOOK: That's a poor challenge on Walcott
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Walcott showed really good pace there and he's just pulled him back. Now Wilkinson's a booking he can really afford to take him on.
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ARSENAL SUBS WARMING UP: RVP is among them. Arshavin and Park are also there
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OH DEAR: Arteta runs out of options and tries to find Gervinho. The pass has too much weight and goes out for a Stoke throw.
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GOOD WORK GERVINHO: He's operating on the right at the moment and gets to the byline... his low cross is hacked away for a corner. In it comes but that's headed clear
Top Comments:
@DumiCasanova on Twitter says:
Should start this second half how we started the first if they want three points...
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STOKE'S GOAL: We've seen the replays and it's very hard to see why the ref gave a free kick against Koscielny for his challenge with Crouch. Expect that issue to crop up if Arsenal don't win this game
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Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
There's been a couple of moments of sloppy possession so far. Arsenal just need to cut out some of these needless mistakes.
51
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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BEGOVIC COMES TO CLAIM: The sun is in his eyes for the second half but he had no problem picking that one out
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HALF-CHANCE! The corner comes in and Koscielny unleashes an overhead kick as the ball drops loose. It bounces wide - he's probably not the first player you'd want that to fall to
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GOOD MOVE FROM ARSENAL: Gervinho to Arteta inside the full back to Walcott and his cross is diverted behind for a corner
Top Comments:
@Kuulsol on Twitter says:
Come on boys, let's win this!
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WALTERS TRIES HIS LUCK: And he shouldn't have bothered. That's a poor effort. Manager Tony Pulis does not look impressed
Kick Off WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Big 45 minutes for Arsenal. Mind you, aren't they all?
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HERE COME THE PLAYERS: Both teams jog out for the second half. Arsenal will kick us off and they will attack the North Bank goal in the second half
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TIME TO REGROUP: Arsenal looked well in charge after dominating the first half-hour and taking the lead when Gervinho converted Ramsey's fine pass. But Crouch's equaliser gave the visitors hope and they finished the half the stronger
Half Time HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1 STOKE CITY 1
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CHAMAKH AT FULL STRETCH! Great work from Arteta and his cross just eludes the Moroccan. Corner to Arsenal... it comes out to Santos, he finds Gervinho and he finds room for a shot... that flies over the bar though
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ARSENAL NEED HALF-TIME: They've been second-best since the equaliser and it's time to reorganise. They came out well after the interval last Sunday; more of the same please
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GREAT CHALLENGE KOSCIELNY: That's a crunching tackle on Walters to stop the Stoke man getting his cross in from a dangerous position
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Well done Koscielny. He did really well in the week against Marseille and he's done it again there. Great work.
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DELAP WITH THE LONG THROW: This one is headed away, good from Djourou, and Song brings the ball away, but Gervinho is tackled and Stoke are back in Arsenal territory
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ARTETA TAKES IT SHORT... to Djourou, he clips in a first-time cross, everyone goes up, it flicks up into the air and Begovic claims easily underneath his crossbar
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
There was so many bodies in the box there. Mertesacker has won more than his fair share in this first half.
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KOSCIELNY IS PUSHED: And that's a free kick for Arsenal about 35 yards out
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STOKE PRESSURE: They've come alive since the goal and Arsenal are on the back foot as crosses come raining into the box. They are all dealt with - just about
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TIME TO RESPOND: Arsenal let their lead slip against Sunderland last weekend but found a winner. They need to regroup once more
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PENALTY? Chamakh is man-handled by Wilkinson as the cross comes in but nothing is given. Hmmm, there was a big appeal there and Wilkinson was certainly impeding the striker
Top Comments:
@michael781grant on Twitter says:
Of all people to score... Is it one of those afternoons down at the home of football?! Come on Arsenal.
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VERY WELL-WORKED FREE KICK: Whelan picks out Shawcross's run on the right of the box, he heads it into the box, Djourou knocks the ball into the air and Walters nods goalwards for Crouch to finish from close range
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GOAL! - Peter Crouch 1 : 1 CROUCH EQUALISES FOR STOKE!
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PASS, PASS, PASS: Arsenal knock it around in the centre of the pitch before Mertesacker misplaces one. Stoke get forward and that's a free kick about 40 yards out. Wenger is disgusted with the decision
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BRILLIANT FROM GERVINHO: He skips down the left and fires a low cross into the six-yard box. It's just in front of Song and Chamakh
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Yellow Card LATE CHALLENGE: And Dean Whitehead goes into the book
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
He's got nowhere near him, the intent was there and he's got a booking for it.
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DESERVED LEAD: Arsenal have been on top and they just needed the key to unlock Stoke's resolute defence. Ramsey was the key
Top Comments:
@kkollyy on Twitter says:
A terrific finish from the Ivorian!
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GERVINHO FIRES ARSENAL AHEAD! Ramsey was the architect with a wonderful chipped pass into the box, Gervinho chested it down and slammed a left-foot shot past Begovic
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
He's got electric pace, he is always looking to get behind and hopefully this will give him the confidence to go on.
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GOAL! - Gervinho 1 : 0 YEEESSSSSSS! ARSENAL IN FRONT!
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DELAP TRIPS SONG: But nothing given. It was right in front of the linesman too
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E-MAIL OUR COMMENTARY TEAM: Dan and Stephen will field your e-mails during and after the game so get them in via the website at www.arsenal.com/studio
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#ARSENALLIVE: Join the debate on Twitter right now. We'll publish some of your comments on this page
Top Comments:
@montychewtoy on Twitter says:
We have goals in us today, I've not felt that since the start of the season...
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ARSENAL ON TOP: The home side have had the best chances through Chamakh and Ramsey, but no breakthrough yet
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FREE KICK TO STOKE... Etherington's delivery is excellent but Djourou gets up well to head clear. His height as an auxiliary right back is very handy today
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MAN UTD 0-1 MAN CITY: If you're interested, Mario Balotelli has scored for City at Old Trafford
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RAMSEY WITH THE SHOT! Oooh, and that fizzes just wide! Great effort from 20 yards from the Welshman after Gervinho had laid the ball back
Top Comments:
@Dimorphic_AU on Twitter says:
SO CLOSE Ramsey! Keep those up mate.
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WILSON TRIPS WALCOTT: No yellow card but Arsenal have a free kick on the right. Arteta behind it...
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SONG TO GERVINHO? Once again that combination doesn't come off after good work from Djourou
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EXCELLENT FROM WALCOTT: Ramsey picks him out and Theo whips the ball past Wilson before running the other side of his marker to collect it. In comes the cross and it's a dangerous one but Begovic tips clear
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
It's brilliant play from Walcott in the first place, he went one way and then another to get that cross in.
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DJOUROU FINDS SONG... but the midfielder's attempt to pick out Gervinho's run is well off target. Arsenal not flowing at all yet
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WALCOTT TRACKS BACK: Theo gets a good challenge in to stop Wilson on the overlap as Stoke put a decent passing move together. And here comes Delap with his first long throw... headed away by Arsenal
Top Comments:
@britishcitizen on Twitter says:
If Gervinho & Chamakh work well we'll be good, but it's a gamble. If Theo & Song fire on all cylinders too it could be 3-0...
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SZCZESNY REDUNDANT: The keeper's had nothing to do yet, not even a cross to collect
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GERVINHO INTO THE BOX... that's a great ball from Ramsey over the top but the Ivorian can't bring it under his control and that bounces through to Asmir Begovic
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Great vision from Ramsey to get that ball through to him. It was probably handball but at least Gervinho is looking to get in behind them.
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LACK OF FLUENCY: A combination of misplaced passes and Stoke's ability to press the ball and close down space is making for a scrappy game
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EMPTY SEATS: Quite a few spaces in the Upper Tier today but the Lower Tier looks virtually full.
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ARTETA HITS ONE: It was on his weaker left foot but worth a go - he was given a lot of room by the Stoke defence. Arsenal largely in control here
Top Comments:
@stelmarkou on Twitter says:
Starting without Van Persie against a team like Stoke is tricky. I reckon he'll come on in the second half.
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GREAT CHANCE CHAMAKH! He really should have hit the target at the very least. Ramsey swung in a perfect corner, Chamakh was left unmarked but he heads down into the ground and sees the ball bounce wide
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THEO GOES ON A RUN: He's up against Wilson and almost gets past... corner to Arsenal and Ramsey to take it...
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
I'm really pleased for Matthew Upson to be playing at this level still, he's a great lad. We were young players in the team together at Arsenal.
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GOOD START FROM CHAMAKH: The Moroccan has held the ball up well so far, under intense pressure it has to be said. He will be an asset in the air at both ends but his link-up play will determine how fluent Arsenal are going forward
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
There's good movement going forward, Chamakh is coming deep a lot. It's just not quite happened for them yet.
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SHAWCROSS TO THE RESCUE: A cute pass from Ramsey into Walcott's path but the Stoke skipper comes across to clear
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NO CHANCES TO REPORT: We've had a quiet start but hang on a moment... Santos on the left and he so nearly finds Ramsey in the box. It comes to Djourou but his cross is overhit
Top Comments:
@trikilimper on Twitter says:
I certainly believe the aerial prowess of Mertersacker will be tested today and how he copes will be very key.
4
TACTICS: Djourou has started at right back with Sagna and Jenkinson both injured.
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STOKE PRESSURE: Koscielny heads clear after the ball is nodded into the box and Etherington - starting on the right flank - cuts in before shooting wide
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PAT RICE IN SHORTS: He's judged it well, the assistant manager. A chilly day has made way for sunny spells
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HANDBALL! Santos gets down the left but controls a diagonal pass towards him with his upper arm. The whistle blows
Kick Off OFF WE GO AT THE EMIRATES: Arsenal attack the Clock End as sunshine bursts through the clouds in north London
WILL ARSENAL BE FRESHER? Arsene Wenger has rotated his squad today and they had an extra day to recover after their midweek exertions as Stoke played on Thursday in the Europa League
HERE THEY COME! Arsenal and Stoke emerge from the tunnel at Emirates Stadium. Alex Song leads out the home side in the absence of Van Persie and Vermaelen
JOIN THE DEBATE: Have your say on Twitter using the hashtag #ArsenalLive
FIVE MINUTES UNTIL KICK-OFF... and I'm parked in the press box alongside our commentary team, Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes. Get your e-mails to them at www.arsenal.com/studio
Top Comments:
@sethyanegara on Twitter says:
Big afternoon for Chamakh to show us what he can do...
TODAY'S GAME... is NOT live on UK television or national UK radio. Arsenal Player will have all the action of course - plus a post-match show with Dan and Stephen fielding your calls and e-mails
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Frimpong, Rosicky, Benayoun, Park, Van Persie, Arshavin
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Song (c), Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamakh
VAN PERSIE ON THE BENCH: Robin has been rested so Marouane Chamakh comes into the starting line-up against Stoke. Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho came off the bench in Marseille on Wednesday; they both start today
#ARSENALLIVE: The debate has started on Twitter at #ArsenalLive so have your say on today's match. What will the score be? Who should be in the team? Have Arsenal turned the corner? Tell us what you think and we'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
Dan and Stephen will be in the press box from 1.30pm (UK time) to bring you live audio commentary. Make sure you get your e-mails to them via the website at www.arsenal.com/studio
Our Matchday Show gets underway at 1.10pm (UK time) with 20 minutes of build-up and exclusive interviews in the company of Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Stephen Hughes
Hello and welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our Premier League clash with Stoke City
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
20 DJOUROU, Johan
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
04 MERTESACKER, Per
11 SANTOS, Andre
17 SONG, Alex
08 ARTETA, Mikel
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (71)
27 GERVINHO
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (90)
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin (66)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
30 BENAYOUN, YOSSI
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
30 PARK, JU-YOUNG
20 VAN PERSIE, ROBIN
Stoke City
01 BEGOVIC, Asmir
28 WILKINSON, Andy
17 SHAWCROSS, Ryan
20 UPSON, Matthew
12 WILSON, Marc
06 WHELAN, Glenn
18 WHITEHEAD, Dean
24 DELAP, Rory
15 DIAO, Salif (60)
26 ETHERINGTON, Matthew
33 JEROME, Cameron (74)
19 WALTERS, Jonathan
25 CROUCH, Peter
09 JONES, Kenwyne (74)
29 SORENSEN, THOMAS
04 HUTH, ROBERT
30 SHOTTON, RYAN
15 DIAO, SALIF
08 PALACIOS, WILSON
33 JEROME, CAMERON
09 JONES, KENWYNE
Top Comments:
@fatahtahir on Twitter says:
Thanks Gervinhom, brilliant game and on comes FRIMPONG!