Tag Archives: Stoke

Bellerin Starts, Ramsey Out: Arsenal Team News And Predicted Line-Up To Face Stoke

Fresh Football December 9, 2016

Arsenal will be full of confidence after a successful couple of weeks both domestically and in Europe. Following a good run of form, Arsene Wenger’s man have seen themselves move up to second in the Premier League and secured top spot in the Champions League group stages after PSG’s slip-up on Wednesday night.

Hector Bellerin could return from injury for this one while Santi Cazorla, Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are all out for the Gunners. Here is the Arsenal predicted line-up to face Stoke.

GK: Petr Cech

Was dropped for the Champions League match in favour of Ospina, but should start once again here.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Gabriel hasn’t put in a bad shift yet at right-back since the injury to Hector Bellerin, but the return of the Spaniard will be a big boost for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, and he should be reinstalled back into the starting line-up straight away.

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi and Koscielny have built up a very good relationship and understanding at the back for Arsenal. The defender missed out in midweek in Basel, and should be placed back in the starting line-up here.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Will be a little disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet in the Champions League, but it was enough to take Arsenal through in top spot. I have no doubts in that he will play from the start against Stoke.

LB: Kieran Gibbs

Had a good game in midweek in the Champions League, and picked up three assists in that 4-1 win over Basel to secure top spot. Should keep his place here.

CDM: Granit Xhaka

Nothing too special from Granit Xhaka in midweek, but he had a solid game. After settling in, he will be looking to hit top form and nail down a regular place in Arsene Wenger’s line-ups. A good performance here will go a long way to doing that.

CDM: Francis Coquelin

Is available for selection to Arsene Wenger once again, and I think he will return to the starting line-up after that rest in midweek.

RAM: Theo Walcott

Another one that wasn’t selected in Basel, but has been in decent form recently. He should start again at the Emirates for Arsenal here.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil has discovered some good form in the Champions League but has not been at his very best in the Premier League recently. However, he was back amongst the goals last week against West Ham in the 5-1 thrashing, scoring his first league goal since October and will look to build on that.

LAM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Also among the goals last week at the London Stadium, and has looked dangerous recently, scoring his second of the campaign last Saturday. Contract talks have reportedly started with the winger, and Arsenal will be hoping to tie him down with a new contract.

ST: Alexis Sanchez

Despite his hat-trick against Basel, I do not think that Lucas Perez will start on Saturday. I think that Alexis Sanchez will lead the line by himself against Stoke, with Lucas an attacking option on the wing and through the middle from the bench.

Premier League Team of the Week: 4 Tottenham, 2 Chelsea, 1 Liverpool Player Feature

Chris Baker October 5, 2016

Lee Grant – Stoke City

Not often will a goalkeeper go to Old Trafford and have one of the games of their lives, but that’s exactly what Lee Grant done on Sunday against the Red Devils and saved his side a point.

He made several saves including magnificent stops against Jesse Lingard and Zlatan Ibrahimović but there was little he could do to keep out Anthony Martial’s perfect finish.

An all-round glorious afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams for the Stoke shot stopper.

Kyle Walker – Tottenham Hotspur

Walker found himself against a reborn Raheem Sterling at the weekend but done excellently in keeping his England compatriot quiet throughout.

Walker was brilliant at attacking the line and also defensively solid. Walker showcased his athleticism and proved why he is so key to the Spurs defence, a very strong performance against and in-form City side.

Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham Hotspur

Alderweireld is slowly becoming one of the best defenders in Europe with his consistent outstanding performances, something which he once again showed against Manchester City at the weekend.

Spurs have the best defence record in the league and it is quite obvious why, they are solid and defend as a unit. Alderweireld is slowly becoming on the best bargains in recent years and also helping Spurs grow within each game
The Belgian international managed to keep the best striker in England quiet, in Sergio Aguero, and also dominated their attacking flair with a sublime performance.

Michael Keane – Burnley

As defensive performance goes, Michael Keane was one the best no nonsense defenders over the weekend after an excellent display against an in-form Gunners team.

He continued his consistent solid performances for Burnely which should have saw his side gain a point, with Laurent Koscielny scoring with the last kick… well hand of the game.

His outstanding performances have caught the eye of interim boss Gareth Southgate and he has rightly so been called up to the England side.

James Milner – Liverpool

James Milner continues to impress for Liverpool and has fixed Jurgen Klopp’s defensive problem with the versatile player setting in perfectly at left-back.

He is probably seen as the most reliable player in the squad right now and has been excellent in Liverpool’s recent form, scoring the winner at the weekend from the penalty spot in another all-round complete display.

Dele Alli – Tottenham Hotspur

Alli was influential against Manchester City this weekend and the Englishman ran the show for Spurs in their 2-0 victory.

Alli possessed brilliant skills and passing ability throughout and was a real danger man to his opposition. He was calm and composed when he scored a goal against Claudio Bravo after a clever run in behind the defence.

After that he won the penalty, which Erik Lamela went on to miss and continued to torment the City players.

N’golo Kante – Chelsea

Kante hasn’t shined as much as he would have liked since his big money move from Leicester but consistent performances from the weekends outing will certainly pay that back.

Kante made more interceptions than any other Chelsea player and was their midfield engine, he was also brilliant with his passing abilities and that certainly hurt Hull at the weekend.

With performances like that he will certainly be back to his best before no time.

Joe Allen – Stoke City

Joe Allen was one of the best players of the weekend against Manchester United, he wasn’t scared of the battle against Paul Pogba and others and actually done superbly well throughout.

Allen was pitch-perfect in possession whilst also carving out his team-mates with excellent vision; he also had a hand in the dirty work and tracked back when needed.

He predominantly played at the number 10 role and certainly exposed United’s lack of holding player, he went on to clinch the equalizing goal and help his team leave Old Trafford with a point.

Son Heung Min – Tottenham Hotspur

Another week, another place for Son in our TOTW. The Korean forward has probably made TOTW more than any other player and the game at the weekend proved why.

Son is in the form of his life (at Spurs) and has been a real nuisance for defences to cope with; he constantly got in behind the City defence and put them under extreme pressure form the first minute.

Son will be bitter he couldn’t take the penalty which was missed, but something that won’t be forgotten is his sublime display… again.

Diego Costa – Chelsea

Diego Costa carried on his superb form this weekend as Chelsea got the all-important three points against Hull City after a blip in recent weeks.

The Chelsea man has been in impeccable form thus far this season which has left him top goal-scorer of the league, bagging himself another goal at the weekend.

Christian Benteke – Crystal Palace

His departure from Liverpool will probably work in his favor, with Benteke playing regular football again and starting to find his feet.

Benteke was a handful for Eeverton’s defence and won an incredible nine aerial duels, with one of them being the all-important equalizer, with the Belgian showing very promising signs with his new club.

3 Players You Must Have In Your Fantasy Football Team This Week ft. Arsenal, West Ham, Leicester

Patrick Ribeiro August 18, 2016

Matchday 1 of the Premier League has come and gone and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll most likely have a fantasy team in need of recalibration. Just a tad, honestly! In an attempt to second guess the professionals, here are three players you ought to consider backing before Friday’s deadline.

1 - Dimitri Payet

Position: Midfielder
Club: West Ham United
Cost: £9.5m

Slaven Bilić will be sure to approach the Dimitri Payet case with caution, so his inclusion in your fantasy team would represent a pretty big risk. The West Ham United manager may have to gamble himself on the Frenchman’s fitness, however, with the Hammers looking lost for inspiration every time they got onto the ball versus Chelsea on Monday.

Payet’s introduction late on in the London derby brought a familiar feel to West Ham’s game, so I’d be equally unsurprised if he’s thrown in to face Bournemouth, in particular with the occasion being the Olympic Stadium’s official debut.

The last clash between the two Premier League clubs at West Ham’s place produced a 4-3 thriller, a score line Payet and co. will be keen to avenge. The club have serious ambitions for the Champions League this season so they must ensure they get points on the board this weekend. They need their Payet back.

Stoke Fans Discuss How Bojan Could Be Replaced

Josh Challies February 4, 2015

Stoke fans encountered a huge blow in the FA Cup tie against Rochdale. Talisman Bojan suffered an unexpected knee injury that will keep him out for the remained of the season.

Many fans expected deadline day deals to replace the Spaniard, but were welcomed with disappointment as Mark Hughes didn’t look to bring in a new playmaker. However failed to attract Aaron Lennon to the club, who incidentally signed for Everton.

However, I still place my trust in Hughes. Stoke still have the quality they held pre-Bojan. Stephen Ireland had a quality season last year, as he too looks to boost his career after some slow years at Villa and Man City. He shined throughout the year and is still able to now. Along with Ireland, there is experienced Scotsman, Charlie Adam. After dropping down the pecking order at Stoke, he still continues to show glimpses of skill and composure. The hard man relishes a challenge and loves to play in those big matches.

Of course we still have Whelan, who recently signed two year contract extension along with Crouch. Also Johnny Walters, who we all know is still performing and pushing himself to be the best after scoring 4 goals in the last two games. Although many will argue that he is a striker, I believe he can perform just as well if he is sat just behind Crouchy or Mame.

Odemwinge is currently out injured but when returning he can provide the opportunity to allow one of the wingers to move into the centre to provide back up if the other central midfielders struggle to emulate Bojan’s ability to set up and score them goals, we have come to hope for every game he features in.

All in all. I still believe that Hughes knows what he’s doing by not adding to the squad and urge any fan doubting him to get behind him and roar on and continue to show why we are the best fans and the create the best atmosphere in the Premier League!

Here are some twitter reactions.

‘He Is Unbelievable’: Man Utd Fans In Awe Of Star Player

Josh Challies December 3, 2014

Over the last few years, consistency has been something Manchester United simply have not found. Changes to teams. formations, new signings, but yet still evident are occasional lapses in performances and vulnerability. One man however who has been constant in never letting the side down is their Spanish number one.

Upon signing in 2011, United knew they were signing potential with the Madrid born keeper just 21. Although European and La Liga experience was under his belt, De Gea was like a baby who had just began to crawl before his move to Manchester.

Then on arrival in England it was comparable to the infant taking their first steps, he needed help and often faltered at the first attempt. Dzeko slammed one past him on his Community Shield debut, and then Shane Long struck a tame effort that rather dribbled past his palms at the Hawthorns on his first Premier League outing. He was a boy, and in his first season people criticized Sir Alex Ferguson’s judgement in bringing over a novice to replace Edwin Van Der Sar. But after a season to acclimatize, United fans are now reaping the rewards of another genius signing from their former legendary manager.

After denying Stoke twice in second-half stoppage time on Tuesday evening to take all three points, stunned United supporters took to Twitter…