Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke 1 Arsenal 3: Ramsey's horror injury overshadows Gunners victory
Exactly two years ago, Arsenal players could not handle the horribledouble leg-break that Eduardo sustained after a tackle by Martin Taylorin a game at Birmingham City. [LNB]After conceding a late equaliser, captain William Gallas slumped intearful disbelief and from that moment, Arsenal effectively concededthe Premier League title. [LNB]This time promises to be different. A similarly sickening injury toAaron Ramsey, 19, after 65 minutes - a compound fracture of his lowerright leg - made players near him, particularly Thomas Vermaelen, lookvisibly sick.[LNB] [LNB] Horror injury: Gael clichy, Thomas Vermaelen and Nicklas Bendner look shocked as Aaron Ramsey lies prostrate[LNB] [LNB] Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross, who was called up for England byFabio Capello last night, committed the foul that earned him a red cardfrom Peter Walton and he himself trudged away distraught at the injury.[LNB] Somehow, the other Arsenal players found the resolve to turn a 1-1draw into a win that takes them within three points of leaders Chelsea,beaten by Manchester City. [LNB]Once again, Arsenal's captain played a vital role. Cesc Fabregas,who inherited the armband from Gallas, took responsibility for apotentially season-changing penalty after Danny Pugh handled NicklasBendtner's pass in the 90th minute. [LNB] Spot on: Fabregas gives the Gunners the lead at the Britannia Stadium [LNB][LNB]The Spaniard slotted the spot-kick low to Thomas Sorensen's left andas he wheeled away to celebrate, the Arsenal fans were already chanting'There's only one Aaron Ramsey'. [LNB]Then, in the sixth of seven minutes added on, Vermaelen fired a third.[LNB] Manager Arsene Wenger said: 'I am very proud of my players but Icannot be happy because of what happened to Ramsey. It is hard to enjoythe victory.' [LNB]He bemoaned a third skilful Arsenal player to suffer long-term injury, following similar traumas to Abou Diaby and Eduardo. [LNB] Tears: Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City is consoled by team mate Thomas Sorensen as he leaves the pitch after being sent off for a challenge on Aaron Ramsey[LNB]But Fabregas made it clear the Arsenal reaction to Ramsey's injurywas born out of experience from that afternoon at St Andrew's in 2008.[LNB] Ironically, Eduardo himself - a substitute yesterday - came off thebench after witnessing Ramsey's agony and later helped set up the thirdgoal.[LNB] Fabregas said: 'We learned from what happened with Eduardo. We lost a lead at Birmingham that day.[LNB] 'It is very difficult to stand up in these situations but we showedcharacter and knew if we won today we still had a lot to say in thetitle race. [LNB]'I've seen this happen to three teammates in five years and it'sdifficult to take. We are not protected enough. When you speak to thereferee, it is always "play on, play on". I know this is England andit's a great game, but sometimes we are victims.' [LNB] He stoops to conquer: Danny Pugh puts Stoke ahead[LNB][LNB]Any positive feelings Arsenal took into the game evaporated aftereight minutes when they were caught out once again by Rory Delap's longthrow. [LNB]Delap had created two goals in Stoke's 3-1 win in the FA Cup againstArsenal in January. His horizontal throw went like an arrow to the headof Shawcross, who escaped Bacary Sagna to flick on to the far postwhere Danny Pugh finished with a close-range scramble.[LNB] It took Arsenal until the half-hour to recover their poise and theirony was that when they levelled after 32 minutes, it came from aheader of which any Stoke player would have been proud.[LNB] Agony: Aaron Ramsey has suffered a suspected broken leg[LNB][LNB] Fabregas floated to the right flank and delivered a perfectlycurved cross towards the six-yard box. Stoke had four six-footers backbut Bendtner rose brilliantly and hung in the air to power anunstoppable header past Sorensen. [LNB]Going Potty: Vermaelen secures all three points[LNB][LNB]Arsenal dominated the second half and Ramsey felt he should have hada penalty when he was grabbed in the area by Abdoulaye Faye.[LNB] EmmanuelEboue then had a shot turned over by Sorensen.[LNB] But this competitive and enjoyable contest turned to horror when Shawcross caught Ramsey near halfway. [LNB]Somehow, though, Arsenal found the will to win.[LNB] Bendtner tried toflick the ball through to a colleague and it struck Pugh's hand. Waltonpointed to the spot and Fabregas scored. [LNB]In added time, Bendtner and Eduardo played a part as Vermaelen madeit 3-1 before emotional scenes at the end Stoke boss Tony Pulisdefended Shawcross: 'He'd never deliberately break someone's leg.But what happened is sad for football. It made the gameinconsequential.' [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Aaron Ramsey suffers 'Eduardo-injury': Captain Cesc Fabregas distraught after Arsenal starlet carried off with broken leg at StokeStoke 1 Arsenal 3: As it happenedEXCLUSIVE: Walcott poised for return to England right wing for Egypt friendlyARSENAL FC
