Why Wenger? WHY!! did he come from a lengthy layoff and maybe failed to re-capture his old fortunes in front of goal? not any that I can recall. Has he ever been on the wrong side of the press or controversial off pitch incidences? Well the many any Gooner can remember is his super classy tours to the Highbury stadium as well as his well documented London tour which clearly was a heart warming experience, when a German appreciates a city which his favorite team is playing!
Maybe I know why Wenger rally hates Prince Poldi. Can anyone remember the incidence when a cheerful cheeky Podolski ran towards Wenger and showered his skinny chest with champagne at Wembley? well maybe that's the fucking reason!
Since when Arsenal became a loan feeding team to any European giants?
A world cup winner, a mainstay of Germany’s national team, who has appeared in three European Championships and three World Cups, not forgetting he has passed a remarkable 100-cap mark during Euro 2012, aged 27, becoming the youngest-ever European to do so.
Lukas or like I love referring him; LuCLASS Podolski, Since his £11m move from Cologne to north London, managed to strike 31 goals in 82 games.Despite playing four times during the Gunners' run to the last-16 of the Champions League, the German scoring machine has already scored three times.
I am literally mad at the old man. Even after scintillating performances whenever Poldi git into the pitch, he always knew he will be warming the bench in the next fixture, however thin the squad might be in the attack.
The FA cup winner and the venomous left foot owner was made to 'enjoy' a mere 99 minutes in the Premier League this season. Can you imagine!.
The new Inter Milan signee only made 60 EPL appearances in two years and managed to score 19 league goals. Poldi despite making 81 total appearances for the Red and white, he left for Inter having made the Arsenal faithfuls around the world celebrate with the AHA specialist, 31 times in front of goal, against teams like, Bayern, Liverpool, West Ham his favorite, Gala among many hot shots. He also incredibly scored 8 Champions League goals in 14 appearances making him one of club's most clinical finisher with a ratio of 1 goal, in every three matches .NUMBERS DON'T LIE!
"I can't express in words my gratitude towards Arsenal fans for all they have done for me," wrote Podolski on Instagram ahead of completing his Inter Milan move.
"Please know my heart always holds a place for you. I've loved every minute playing for Arsenal and I hope I have left my mark on the club and fans alike. Hopefully we shall meet again."
His departure attracted wild criticism around the world and since the players cannot really bark against Wenger in public, at least Ramsey was able to express his dissatisfaction in 'LOUD' Poldi's absence in the locker room.
Moving on swiftly, Crouch and his fellow giants are travelling to the Emirates in a bid to terrorize Arsenal's short fighters, again with the muscular Podolski not available. The English striker was among the scorers in Arsenal's 2-3 loss at the Brittania Stadium a month ago.
Well with Arsenal nearly recouping the three points courtesy of a Cazorla's penalty and an Aaron Ramsey volley, we can all be assured of another entertaining match on a cold kissed Emirates turf.
Mesut Ozil who makes his return today after a three month lay off, inspired Arsenal on his Emirates debut last season when a trio of his set pieces saw Arsenal snatch a comfortable 3-1 win over the Potters courtesy of Mertesacker, Ramsey and Bakary Sagna. Something the German international will be hoping to repeat should Wenger opt to start him.
Another silly and naive defense performance at the back by the gunners won't be tolerated, considering that Southampton hugely benefited from that, in their 2-0 win at St. Marys a fortnight ago. One smoker by the name Szczesny had a philanthropic night, stupidly on racing Mane and then opting to track back to have a clear view of the goal he did absolutely nothing to keep out. What irked me is not only his poor decision making, but his reaction after he again assisted the second goal, when he shamelessly drew his water bottle and take a hero's sip after his legendary horror show.
At least the embattled Mertesacker repaid the gooners with a well taken header against our FA Cup beaten finalists, hull city in our first match at the Emirates on Sunday, before a beautifully curved goal by the only Sanchez made sure Arsenal got the deserved morale boosting win as well as the perfect chance for Wenger to finally decide whether to continue with Szczesny or Ospina in goal.
TEAM NEWS:
"Aaron Ramsey is back in training, Mesut Ozil is back in training, Mathieu Flamini is back in training - so we have got three players back.
"Danny Welbeck (thigh) is still not available for Sunday - he's a bit short. Maybe next week he will be available.
"Olivier Giroud is back from suspension so we have got a bigger squad than last week."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head- Stoke have lost on each of their last 12 league and cup trips to Arsenal, six of which have been in the Premier League.
- The Potters are vying to win a third straight league game in this fixture for the first time since 1951.
- Defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day ended their four-match unbeaten Premier League run (W3, D1).
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League games at the Emirates (W18, D8) since the opening day of the 2013-14 season.
- The Gunners have scored in every home league match so far, a feat only matched by Chelsea and Manchester United.
- Thirty three points after 20 games is Arsenal's lowest points tally in the league since 1994-95, when they finished 12th.
- Mesut Ozil's set-pieces were the source of all three Arsenal goals in their 3-1 win over Stoke at the Emirates last season. It was his home debut for the Gunners.
- Stoke have taken 11 points from the last 18 available (W3, D2, L1).
- Fifteen of Stoke's 22 league goals have been scored in the first half of their matches.
- No team has conceded more goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season than Stoke (11, includes penalties).
- Peter Crouch has scored eight Premier League goals against Arsenal, his joint-highest tally against a particular opponent, along with Blackburn.
- Mark Hughes has been beaten in all seven of his matches as an opposition coach at the Emirates (with five different clubs).
Ospina, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Sanchez, CazorlaChamberlain, Walcott, Giroud.
My AFCvSCFC Predictions: Arsenal 3-1 Stoke City (Sanchez, Cazorla, Giroud)
@bryoshavin
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