Post by staggerstag on Aug 19, 2017 18:31:38 GMT
Well, Stoke cleaned up their defensive act in the second half and have gone home with all three points here. 10 shots on target (and 11 off) for AFC but the finish just wasn't there, was it. They had the chances to punish Stoke in the first half and will look back in anger. The late barrage of Arsenal pressure resulted in nothing but further hardening the already clay-like features of Arsene Wenger's face.
Postamble by Simon Burnton :
Postamble by Simon Burnton :
Stoke succeeded despite themselves there: for most of the game they played an unwisely high defensive line and Arsenal repeatedly chipped the ball over them and into the path of willing runners – though this only allowed Butland and Zouma to showcase their repertoire of chance-denying tackles, blocks and stops. Once Stoke themselves had scored, however, Arsenal took off a defender, brought on another striker and forced the home side back, after which they actually looked considerably more secure.
It was wildly frustrating stuff from Arsenal, and for all their dominance – 77% possession, apparently – they actually created few clear chances. Had a very marginal offside decision gone the other way, and Lacazette’s apparent equaliser stood, it might have ended very differently.
Meanwhile Jesé didn’t look fully fit, but he might be a classic Stoke signing. There were a few nice touches, a couple of impressive runs, and a very smart first-time finish. And, in the end, a very fine win.
It was wildly frustrating stuff from Arsenal, and for all their dominance – 77% possession, apparently – they actually created few clear chances. Had a very marginal offside decision gone the other way, and Lacazette’s apparent equaliser stood, it might have ended very differently.
Meanwhile Jesé didn’t look fully fit, but he might be a classic Stoke signing. There were a few nice touches, a couple of impressive runs, and a very smart first-time finish. And, in the end, a very fine win.