Written by Mean Lean on Friday, 06 May 2011 14:16

Good of the afternoon's to you,

I cannot believe that it is Friday already, this week has well and truly flown by, well at least it has for me. We will be turning our attentions to Sunday's clash against the despicable Stoke City. I actually really despise them more than I do most teams. I know many will disagree with me here but when I look at Tottenham, I feel like removing their chair before they sit down and chuckle while they fall flat on their arse. But when it comes to Stoke City I would rather place a few rusty nails on their seats whilst grimacing menacingly as they wince in pain.

Don't get me wrong Tottenham will always be our rivals but there is something about the hoof it long, don't like it up em, neanderthal supporting, Pullis cap wearing, Shawcross leg breaking, Delap throwing team that really makes my blood boil like a shaking whistling angry kettle.

Arsene has confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will be playing at Stoke so expect much of the pre match build up to be about Ramsey's return and poor little Shawcross having to cope with bringing back those horrid memories that upset him so much.

Some idiot reporter in Arsene's press conference today was asking the usual stupid questions about shaking Shawcross' hand and that is the type of nonsense that we are going to have to deal with until after the match is finished.

What is it about shaking opponents hands? Breaking a players leg is just commitment and passion whilst waving an imaginary yellow card or not shaking hands is pure filth. It is time to get out of the bloody 70's and get a grip. Darn it!

It will be interesting to see how Ramsey handles the occasion though. I suspect it will be down to his personality. For some people revisiting the ground that caused that injury may well be a little too much to stomach while other personalities could just brush it off as another game against another opponent. After listening to Ramsey talk and by his performances since he joined, he strikes me as the latter.

Ramsey and Wilshere will have built a fantastic platform to work on after a super showing against Manchester United last Sunday so I have my fingers crossed that they can continue to build on that and continue to show how good they can be. Regular readers of Arsenal Vision will know that I have been banging on the Ramsey and Wilshere drum for some time now and I am very excited about their future together. Having said that they need to make the most of their chances together because as soon as Cesc is fully fit and committed to the cause then he should walk straight into the team because he is truly a great player.

Arsene Wenger confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen is back in the squad and ready for action which is great news. News that we have waited to hear pretty much all season. I suspect that he will take his place amongst the substitutes and maybe come on in the second half depending on the score and situation. Throwing him into a tough Premier League game may not be ideal and judging my Wenger's comments it seems as if Johan Djourou will be ready for Sunday. I think Djourou will be vitally important on Sunday as his presence from crosses has been very important apart from the Bolton game of course, but there is just no need to talk about that one is there?

It might be next week until we see what Wenger's first choice defence partnership actually is. I still have no idea what combination that will be. We may not have to wait long before we find out.

Anyway, not much else to talk about apart from Cesc to Real Madrid but I am sure I will confirm his move to Inter Milan tomorrow then back to Barcelona again the day after so what is the point?

Back tomorrow.

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Comments (15)

• 07-May-2011 12:46 | | richie
  

  I see this game as a massive test for Ramsey. That he made his main return against ManU and contributed so well is one thing. This time out he won't necessarily be engaged in a football competition. I'm not being mean (Mean) but Stoke's kick and rush, hoof it long and high, crowd the box style undoubtedly makes the most of what they have. Football competions in Stoke's case are usually physical competions with a ball somewhere in the mix. If AR comes through this game in one piece then he will be able to put all he suffered behind him. I think Arsene wants to messure his performance against the very side that caused him all the grief, and that way judge where he is.

• 07-May-2011 13:26 | | richie
  

  Just noticed who's the Ref for this one and its not great news. Halsey;
  When rough house tactic's meet a weak ineffectual official its a recipe for a bad expirence. Expect plenty of OTT challenges, because MH is the type of Ref who likes to let the game flow and he keeps his cards in pocket, and doesn't stamp his authority on games. It expect the infamous Pulis to instruct his bother boys to take advantage.

• 08-May-2011 12:19 | | john
  

  Are you getting your excuses ready for your God Arsene if Stoke beat us today. What weak and shallow people you AKBs are, particularly you, as you are so far up Arsenes arse.

• 08-May-2011 16:54 | | richie  - John at the exchange
  

  The view from up here's good! Name your prefered manager so Gooners can see where your coming from. That ain't too much to ask is it? If your an all change man tell us who we should change for, in your view?

• 08-May-2011 17:33 | | john
  

  i couldnt care less anymore, with the help of you and the AKBs we are stuck with this w***** of a manager who still has belief in a bunch of bottlers, losers and players who dont give a f*** whether we won or not. we had 74% possession with tippy tappy tippy tappy shite with no passion, no leader and a waste of space called Walcott. Denilison would have been better today, and that says everything. You and the AKBs are not Arsenal fans , you are Arsene fans, so you can renew your tickets and watch this pile of shite next year . SAD time for ARSENAL

• 08-May-2011 18:46 | | MeanLean
  

  John for goodness sake will you grow up! Disagree by all means but this childish labelling of Arsene FC because you read it on another blog does not make it funny or clever.
  
  The manager knows that we have problems but being third in the table does not make us shit..... obviously!!

• 08-May-2011 18:57 | | Man United Killa
  

  We are ish...3rd sucks!!!

• 08-May-2011 20:49 | | john  - passion
  

  Mean lean, I am very passionate and was so angry after the usual capitulation again and again adinfinitum. If the team were as half as passionate on the pitch as i am a supporter we would have won the league. Arsene has lost the plot, he believes in a bunch of losers , who all know that The BOSS will make excuses for them after failing continually. When players hear Arsene saying that coming in top 4 is good enough, they will not have the winning mentality or passion to continue to WIN as they have met Arsenes target (TOP 4) . . He also rewards these players with new contracts. He gives the players the feeling that nearly winning something is job done. NOW , can you imagine FERGIE saying that top 4 is as good as winning a trophy. he would be laughed out of MANC. I could go on and on and on. but lets agree to disagree. I believe your articles will have a different slant in the near future.

• 08-May-2011 21:16 | | MeanLean
  

  I am appreciate the passion John and I also share your anger although mine came more after the Blackburn, Liverpool and Tottenham results. I have felt resigned in the last few weeks now as I just couldn't see the title coming our way after we let the chance go.
  
  I have a few arguments against some of what you say though.
  
  * Wenger making excuses for his players
  
  This is something he has always done in public. Not just this current squad not even just at Arsenal. He publicly supporters his players but if they have done wrong then he speaks to them privately and we never know what is said.
  
  If you want the Harry Redknapp style of management where he tells Darren Bent that his wife can do better or the Phil Brown ticking off on the pitch at half time which coincided with the team going on a remarkable losing streak then it just will not happen.
  
  * Arsene's target of top 4
  
  Arsene Wenger has never ever said that his target is top 4. Have you noticed how stressed and frail he looks over the last few weeks? He wants Arsenal to win more than most. He works himself into the ground for our club. He takes on more than probably 99% of managers and that is because he is passionate about Arsenal and he is a winner.
  
  'can you imagine FERGIE saying that top 4 is as good as winning a trophy'
  
  Do you really honestly believe that Birmingham City or Stoke City wouldn't swap the Carling cup or FA Cup for a place in the Champions League? Do you think any footballer in the Premier League would swap playing at the highest level in world football (which probably includes the world cup) than winning a knock out cup competition.
  
  The truth is the domestic competitions are only really important to the fans. Any sane club would rather generate the earning of the CL which allows progress of the club both commercially and having the potential to sign better players than to beat a few clubs to win the FA Cup.
  
  Would you honestly rather have lifted the FA Cup and finished in Liverpool's or Tottenham's position? Two teams who have spent considerably more than us?

• 08-May-2011 21:46 | | john
  

  Im not getting into debate ML. To be honest i would rather we finished 5th with no trophies if it got rid of Arsene.
  
  ALL THE BEST

• 08-May-2011 21:49 | | MeanLean
  

  I would rather the squad matured, improved and won trophies.

• 09-May-2011 03:55 | | Man United Killa  - for ML
  

  I find this tradeoff argument you are making ridiculous and pointless.Are you saying we couldnt have won the league just because we would have won the FA cup?Guess what? there is something called a double.It means teams win more than one cup.Go figure!

• 09-May-2011 03:57 | | Man United Killa
  

  I would rather Wenger got showed the door unless he is ready to actually manage this team.He is not indispensable.What nonsense!

• 09-May-2011 11:19 | | richie  - Perspectives Muk
  

  Muk surely you'll recall Arsene has already won 2 doubles. I would like you to just pick up on one thing though. The prem ain't getting any easier! With all the money now flooding in its not a coincidence that we ain't won since Abromovitch's millions arrived. What needs telling over and over is that The Tiny Totts have spent more, Money City have spent more, Liverpool have spent more, and yes both Chelski and Manu'er have spent more. We're still competing spending nothing compared to the others.

• 09-May-2011 11:38 | | richie
  

  I'm not saying I'm not gutted by the performance! I'm still gutted and will be until we start a new campaign next year when my enthusiasm levels will have been renewed, but I do think many of our own get carried away, and see nothing but our faults. I too see faults, that badly need addressing, but I still see plenty of positives in the direction we as a club have taken, and in particular the direction Arsene's taken us in. I still like the mainly developement route, although some tweaks (in the shape of buys) might be needed. Their could be a lot of promotions from within though.

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