Geoff Cameron will make his Stoke City and YA debut in the starting XI, as a central midfielder. Stoke: Begovic; Wilkinson, Shawcross (c), Huth, Wilson; Pennant, Cameron, Whelan, Kightly; Walters, Crouch Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla; Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud
Good thing Cameron will be able to dip his toes against one of the EPL scrub teams instead of getting drowned against one of the powerhouses.
Game is under way on FSC and Fox Deportes. Cameron is wearing #2 and is paired with Glenn Whelan in central midfield.
He is a giant out there. Stoke are a huge team. Let's see how they handle cazorla. How many arsenal sends to the infirmary Cameron wins two balls first was deflected as hand ball second went out of bounds. Lively for sure. No fear. Feels like a big Holden.
Cameron has a lot of early interceptions and tackles. He also had one long throw-in and was dispossessed once after holding onto the ball for too long.
Podolski gets a step on Cameron on the dribble and is taken down by Huth at the top of the area. Free kick leads to nothing.
gunners still trying to find their form. Podolski caught gCam napping a bit and beat him to the inside. Huth was forced to foul for a yellow. Good way to learn.The stoke wall is impenetrable. I give credit to Pulis. In a time when everyone is playing swarm of midgets he plays attack of the giants. Cameron is long, athletic and quick. Tough to play against.
I'd like to see Cam find space when they are in transition. He's doing a great job disrupting any attack coming up the middle but on any transition he just stops and points to where to pass the ball instead of finding space to help open things up.
Cameron already looking a bit winded. his passing has been good, but Stoke players cannot dribble or pass. A bit of a mind bender when considering they formulate a good chunk of soccer.
I dont think he wants to get caught up field. He will make a run if he sees the chance to dispossess and counter, but he does not want to get beat his first match. Man, what a trip. From Sporting Kansas City to Arsenal. cool.
Why would they? With Huth behind & Crouch infront whats the point of short delicate passes, when a hoof will suffice. Stoke are a throwback and sooner or later will fall through the trapdoor, but for the moment they're surviving and fair play to them. Their fanbase are one of the few around who spend more time abusing other teams than supporting their own.
It is early, but I am glad Giroud's hair has not disappointed. His play is awful. I mean terrible. So bad, they moved Podolski central and are pushing him out wide. Adjustment by arsenal: they have pulled Podolski out of the left and really put him narrow, they then run giroud out wide to make space. So far the results are not bad. They are one killer pass away from breaking the back line for quick 1 v. 1 shot on goal.
This is why I usually root for most against Stoke; I do not like their style of play. But now I'm rooting for Cameron to do well...
i dont know what dominic kinnear is teaching in houston, but his players know how to play football. Cameron is killing passing lanes, distributing very well, and not losing position. That early mistake against Podolski is the only problem so far. His throw ins dont have the viscous Delap spin.
Props to Cameron for signing with a club that immediately throws him into the fray. He appears to be adding a bit of an extra dimension to their squad. If they can hold Arsenal for 90, it will be a great start.
cameron with an overlapping run for a cross. nearly sets it up for crouch. see, i said he'd get forward, just needs to pick his spots. at this point, I can see arsenal getting a penalty, otherwise, dont see them scoring. they are frustrated out there. Like most I never appreciated the stoke method before.
Not the place, but Arsenal could really use some dempsey right now. He did alright last year, as I recall against the Pulis pummeling.