Arsenal vs. Stoke

3-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 22 September 2013
Ramsey 5,
Mertesacker 36,
Sagna 72

I travelled to London this weekend to watch this game live at the Emirates, and at last the curse has been lifted! Prior to this weekend I have watched the Arsenal live a total of six times and never have I seen a victory, or a game where we have scored more than one goal, in fact! One 1-2 defeat, three 0-0 and two 1-1 games is what I've had to settle with. But no more! Words can't describe the relief this win brings me, I was even considering not watching them live any more due to the poor results!

The first half began in splendid fashion as we took the lead within five minutes! And who scored if not red hot Aaron Ramsey! Stoke 'keeper Begovic punched Özil's free kick out, into the path of the Welshman who fired it into the back of the net from a fairly close range! His current form is just breathtaking and it definitely promises to be a good season for Ramsey!
   Unfortunately we dropped our game slightly following the goal, allowing Stoke to equalise approximately twenty minutes after having taken the lead. However, that was a wake-up call for the team and it did not take long before we played some serious good football again, and with that we got back in front. Once again it was from a set-piece and once again it was Özil who provided the assist. The German's corner found the head of Per Mertesacker, our very own Big Fucking German, who put the ball into the back of the net! It was a relief to be back with a lead and it was certainly deserved!

We continued with the same spirit in the second half, and even though Stoke continuously searched for an equaliser we never allowed it. The game was more or less sealed when the third goal arrived, and from quite the unexpected chance! With the risk of sounding like a broken record, Özil provided with the assist through a set-piece. His free-kick was perfectly met by Bacary Sagna, the short full-back somehow got a header away crushed between two Stoke defenders, for him to score from that situation was quite unbelievable!

So another important victory with three more points, another game where Ramsey scored and another game where Özil shone, creating both goals and chances from his midfield position!

Injury Update:
- Walcott has developed a minor problem with his posterior abdominal wall, causing him to miss out on a couple of games, but is expected back after the upcoming international break.
- Arteta was back for this game! He came on for the final ten minutes and looked very well!