Ramsey’s Nightmare Overshadows Vital Win

Almost two years ago to the day, Arsenal’s title dream was shattered on a day remembered for all the wrong reasons at St Andrew’s.

The Gunners’ slipped to a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City after holding a commanding two-goal advantage, and the image of William Gallas’ sulking in the centre circle was forever etched into the memory of every English football fanatic.

But it was the shocking injury to Eduardo da Silva, the Croatian striker, which triggered this landslide of events, as the horrific sight of their talisman’s stricken body with his foot at the most unnatural of angles, that proved to be the turning point after Martin Taylor’s reckless challenge.

In terms of the Gunners’ title challenge, lightning very nearly struck twice yesterday as Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal’s 19-year old midfield prodigy, lay in a crumpled heap at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium. The Welshman, who had been enjoying something of a breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium, had been caught late by Ryan Shawcross, the Stoke defender, which resulted in a similarly gut-wrenching injury that was deemed too graphic to replay on live TV.

Shawcross, who was later named in Fabio Capello’s England squad for the upcoming friendly with Egypt, left the pitch in tears after being shown a red card by referee Peter Walton.

But it was that capitulation at St Andrews two years ago that spurred Arsenal on to overcome a stubborn Stoke City side, unbeaten in 2010, and close the gap on leaders Chelsea to just three points.

Buoyed by their traditionally voiceferous support and their impressive home record against the Gunners, the home side took the lead as Rory Delap’s long throws caused the visitors problems for the third consecutive meeting at the Britannia when Danny Pugh tapped in from the Irishman’s party piece.

With only seven minutes on the clock, the alarm bells were already sounding for Arsene Wenger as the home support continued to crank up the volume, ridiculing every misplaced pass as the man dubbed le professeur watched his side struggle to gain a foothold on the game.

Slowly but surely though, the Gunners slipped into gear, and it was the rapidly maturing Nicklas Bendtner who popped up with a quite sublime equaliser.

Bacary Sagna threw the ball back into play on the far side to Cesc Fabregas who swung in a beautifully weighted cross, and it was the tall Dane who gratefully accepted the invitation to plant the ball home with an emphatic glancing header across the face of Potters’ goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Arsenal emerged from the break seemingly intent on ripping apart the side who have caused them so many problems on their recent trips to the Britannia, with Emmanuel Eboue going closest. The Ivorian struck a fierce shot towards Sorensen’s goal but the Danish stopper, who so nearly joined his opponents on transfer deadline day, touched the ball over the bar to safety.

The atmosphere soured soon after though, as Shawcross’ challenge on Ramsey left members of both teams, particularly Thomas Vermaelen, appearing physically sick at the sight of the damage sustained by the Welshman.

Arsenal dug deep as they sought to pounce on Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat to Manchester City in the lunch time kick off, as Eduardo went closest, firing wide from just six yards out.

But the breakthrough eventually came as the contest entered a lengthy period of stoppage time. Goalscorer Pugh was adjudged to have handled Bendtner’s pass in the area, and referee Walton awarded the penalty which Fabregas duly converted. The Spaniard dedicated the goal to his colleague, celebrating by raising his right foot and tapping it repeatedly.

Thomas Vermaelen then continued his fine goalscoring record in his first season in the Premiership by stroking in a third as the final whistle became imminent.

Arsene Wenger will have been delighted to see his side banish their daemons at the Britannia Stadium, but the match will forever be remembered Ramsey’s nightmare – the thoughts of the footballing world are indeed with one of the Premier League’s finest and brightest starlets – get well soon Rambo.

STOKE CITY 1 (Pugh 7)

Team: Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, A Faye (Collins 60), Wilkinson, Whelan, Pugh, Whitehead (Lawrence 77),  Delap, Fuller (Sanli 80), Sidibe

Unused Subs: Begovic, Diao, Beattie, Kitson

Booked: None

Sent Off: Shawcross

ARSENAL 3 (Bendtner 32, Fabregas (Pen, 90+1), Vermaelen (90+4)

Team: Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 75), Fabregas, Nasri (Eduardo 83), Ramsey (Rosicky 69), Song, Bendtner

Unused Subs: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Vela

Booked: Song