Arsenal now one point behind chart leaders United
LONDON: Sebastian Squillaci’s solitary goal in the 7th minute of the match gave Gunners important victory against Stoke City as they are now just one point behind the chart leaders Manchester United with 56 points.
Sebastien Squillaci celebrates his goal. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
The victory proved to be too expensive for the Arsenal as they lost their two key players including skipper Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott due to injuries.
Fabregas suffered injury in his knee in the 13th minute of the first half while Walcott had to leave the ground on stretcher in the 70th minute of the match when he had clashed with Dean Whitehead.
Cesc Fabregas is substituted after he suffered injury. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal have two very important games coming up as they will play in the Carling Cup final and also host Barcelona in their Champions League title hunt.
The match was played at slow pace as both teams opted for defensive approach. Arsenal had better opportunities to extend their lead in the match but they simply failed to convert those opportunities. The seventh minute goal from Squillaci proved to be enough to separate the both teams.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was happy with his team victory and said, “It was three big points for us, we knew that it was a vital game. Stoke is a very tricky game for everybody in this league and we were focused, intelligent, patient and in the end we got the three points. Stoke defended well and were very well organized, disciplined, they made it very hard for us and we lacked a bit of sharpness.”
Theo Walcott leaves the pitch after suffering injury. Courtesy: REUTERS
Stoke manager Tony Pulis wasn’t happy with his team performance and said, “In the first 10 minutes of the game, Arsenal could have been out of sight. We looked like rabbits in the headlights to be honest. Any phase of play, whether it was from a set play of free-flowing football, they looked like they were going to score goals.”
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