FA: Arsenal vs Stoke City | 09/01/05

[Dr. Alban]

ARSENAL v STOKE CITY
FA Cup 3rd Round
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Sunday, January 9, 2005
Kick-off: 2pm

Couldn't find a match thread yet, so here we go. A lot of injuries for tomorrow. No one who was out for the City game will come back, except Reyes. He will replace Henry, who will get his well deserved rest. In addition, Cole is out as well as Freddie. Lehmann will be our FA Cup keeper.

My pick:

Lehmann
Hoyte - Senderos - Toure - Clichy
Pennant - Cesc - Vieira - Pires
van Persie - Reyes

Subs: Almunia, Eboue, Larsson, Quincy, Smith.

The last place on the bench is just a wild guess, but in a match against Stoke at home, I can't see Wenger having a defensive subs bench.

 

[seb_afc]

i wouldnt play reyes. i would have him on the bench. dont want any bad tackles, esecially as we are playing a lower league side. i would give quincy a run out.

 

[Dr. Alban]

Wenger is playing Reyes according to the match preview on Arsenal.com

 

[seb_afc]

yeah i think he is. im just saying IMO i wouldnt.. just incase of injury.. i would leave him on the bench and then if we are loosing we can bring him on.

 

[Spike]

The line-up is spot on to what I predicted, although I would swop Senderos and Toure, as Toure could provide some more cover for the right side which is very unexperienced.

Toure to boss the defence, Vieira has to prove himself and with his physical presence; he should boss the midfield.

This is Pennant's chance to shine, other than that, there's a great balance between youth and experience.

It will be tough, but I fancy our chances.

 

[Dr. Alban]

I think this could be a van Persie kind of game. If Arsenal doesn't get an early goal Stoke will play with a packed defence. That's how they play, and that's why they've conceded so few goals this year. Not much room for counter attacks, but a lot of possession and passing deep into Stoke territory. Van Perie's close control and trickery might be useful.

I really hope Arsenal can get an early goal to break up the game and make Stoke attack. If so, this could be a nice game for Reyes. He needs it badly to boost his confidence.

 

[Spike]

If so, this could be a nice game for Reyes.

Hope the Stoke players don't treat him like the Premiership boys do. :roll:

 

[shonsuperstar]

4-0 arsenal, reyes hat-trick (if wenger keeps him on) and RVP will get one too. thats my prediction.they might score a consolation in the dying minutes

 

[koivu]

Looking forward to catching the match at Highbury tomorrow. This will be my first match with a digital cam so I hope to take some better pics than the past year...half of them don't turn out!

I think anything can happen tomorrow...i'm not worried but after seeing exeter draw at OT then you never know right?

 

[DaViEsW]

Is it on Sky/BBC?

 

[bobbypires]

They're 12th in the Championship.

Stoke recent results:

Stoke 0-1 Burnley
Nottingham 1-0 Stoke
Ipswich 1-0 Stoke
Stoke 0-0 Preston

They couldn't score in their last 4 games and before that, their wins were 1-0 against Coventry and Brighton.

 

[bobbypires]

FA Cup meetings

3 Mar 1928 Arsenal 4-1 Stoke
12 Jan 1929 Arsenal 2-1 Stoke
5 Jan 1957 Arsenal 4-2 Stoke
27 Mar 1971 Arsenal 2-2 Stoke
31 Mar 1971 Stoke 0-2 Arsenal
15 Apr 1972 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
19 Apr 1972 Arsenal 2-1 Stoke
16 Jan 1990 Stoke 0-1 Arsenal

6 wins, 2 draws.

 

[thierrys_girl]

Agreed with the top line-up, it will be a good chance to see what Pennant is capable of. Im sure it will be tough but have faith that our boys can overcome them.

 

[Ridge]

oh my do we really have to play Cesc AGAIN? no other midfield covers? or maybe a youngster as we're only playing Stoke City?

 

[awesomarsenal]

Hope the Stoke players don't treat him like the Premiership boys do.

yea they literrarily(sp?) push him around, i think we have a good chance of winning

 

[air]

Literally, yeah. This game is a chance for good things to happen, like Pennant making a good performance and Reyes getting a couple of goals to boost his confidence. Perhaps we'll see Eboue get a run, too.

 

[Gunner4life09]

I think even if they have a rough approach Reyes will have too much pace and skill for the Stoke players.

Hope pennant can imppose himself on the game and show what he's capable of.

 

[koivu]

Is it on Sky/BBC?

Not on TV at all as far as I know.

 

[Martin]

Is it on Sky/BBC?

Not on TV at all as far as I know.

What about radio? Somewhere in the net? Or if not, will there be at least minute by minure coverage?

Less than two hours till kick off...

 

[lee1001]

Eboue to start.