Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke 3 Arsenal 1: Sol Campbell makes losing return thanks to Fuller's double
Arsene Wenger did not show the world's most famous cup competition a lack of respect at the Britannia Stadium. He merely demonstrated how much he values winning the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]That was the only conclusion to be drawn from an FA Cup tie that sorted out the men from the boys.[LNB]Nine changes to the side that defeated Bolton in midweek 10 if you count the fact that Cesc Fabregas was drafted in for a sick Jack Wilshere spelled out exactly what Wenger thinks are his priorities this season.[LNB] Out of reach: Ricardo Fuller beats Sol Campbell to the ball as he nods Stoke 2-1 up[LNB] [LNB]He shouldered the blame at the end for fielding a team lacking inexperience against a Potters side needing one fleeting glance at thevisitors' teamsheet to ensure they were fully pumped up for theoccasion.[LNB]With Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool coming upin the Premier League and Porto to follow in the Champions League,Arsenal's boss clearly feels sacrificing FA Cup glory is worth thegamble even though the race to Wembley is wide open this season.[LNB]There has not been a trophy paraded around the Emirates since itopened in 2006 and the FA Cup won't be heading to north London thisyear unless, of course, Tottenham win it.[LNB]Stoke manager Tony Pulis must have felt elated when he learnedArsenal's line-up. Lukasz Fabianski in goal, Francis Coquelin makinghis second start at right back, Craig Eastmond trying to hold midfieldtogether and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas asked to lead the line.[LNB] Quickfire: Fuller gets Stoke off to a flyer, nodding in Rory Delap's long throw after just 70 seconds[LNB]And there was the return of Sol Campbell following his release fromNotts County. With Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Aaron Ramsey and AndreyArshavin on the bench, only the exclusion of the Russian could bejustified in terms of over-use.[LNB]For the home supporters, expecting to see more household names, thescent of victory turned into an overpowering stench. Fans aren't mugsand the conviction pouring from the stands was transmitted to Pulis'splayers.[LNB]The script is as hackneyed as a soap opera storyline in this part ofStaffordshire. At the Britannia Stadium, you know exactly what you aregoing to get. In a pre-match interview Ricardo Fuller talked about'roughing up' Arsenal, saying that Stoke had noted how Chelsea andBolton had pressed them all over the pitch. [LNB]The tactic was there for all to see. Stoke are a direct, in-yer-faceteam. But over-physical? No. Referee Martin Atkinson did not see fit toissue one yellow card throughout the highoctane 90 minutes. [LNB]It is hardly a damning charge sheet. And Arsenal's boss might liketo note that there was no-one stamping on any necks yesterday.[LNB] Baptism of fire: Sol Campbell's second Arsenal debut ended in a chastening defeat[LNB]The Gunners were effectively beaten by two long throw-ins on thisground last season, and this time the writing was on the wall as earlyas 70 seconds.[LNB]Long throw specialist Rory Delap launched a missile from the right flank over the head of four blue-shirted defenders.[LNB]Fabianski stood and watched as Fuller charged across his marker and nodded home from all of four yards to back up his words.[LNB]If the noisy, partisan crowd needed whipping up into a frenzy, it was just the kind of start they needed.[LNB]Indeed, had Fuller chosen to fall over under a challenge inside thepenalty area from Mikael Silvestre rather than try to stay on his feet10 minutes before the interval, it could have been a lot more emphatic.[LNB]As it was, though, Stoke were caught napping three minutes beforethe interval. Fabregas shaped to swing over a deep free-kick from theleft after Dean Whitehead's handball on the left-hand edge of thepenalty area. [LNB] Level pegging: Denilson levelled to Arsenal before half-time[LNB]Instead, he slipped it across the pitch and Denilson's shot took adeflection off Whitehead and sneaked low into Thomas Sorensen'sright-hand corner.[LNB]It was, as they say, a perfect time to score. But, totting upStoke's individual League appearances against Arsenal's, Pulis's sideboasted almost nine times more experience than the visitors. And thehosts just kept plugging away.[LNB]They scrapped and battled and knew there would come a moment when they could grab the tie.[LNB]After Wenger sent on three of his big-hitters with one-quarter ofthe game to go in an effort to force the issue, that moment arrived.[LNB] Three and easy: Dean Whitehead (right) secures Stoke's place in the fifth round[LNB]Mamady Sidibe may look a strange pick ahead of James Beattie andTuncay. But he is a selfless worker, and Fuller's second in the 78thminute owed much to the Mali man. He charged down the right withDenilson trailing and his cross could not have been more precise as Fuller nodded home.[LNB]Eight minutes later, it was all over. Substitute Tuncay ran on thepitch and immediately won possession, feeding Matthew Etherington.[LNB]The winger's low cross was sidefooted into an empty net by Whitehead, his first goal for the club. Whitehead spoke afterwards about 'getting in Arsenal's faces'.[LNB]As much as Wenger will not like reading that, it was the same oldstory. The only question for the manager after his monumental gamble iswhether it will be similar for him at the end of this campaign nosilverware.[LNB]Perhaps then, the generosity of his decision at Stoke might be put into sharp focus.[LNB] David James off to Stoke City in bid to save cash-strapped Portsmouth from going under Arsenal set to bid for £8million-rated Fulham defender SmallingStoke 3 Arsenal 1:The action from the Britannia as it happenedSTOKE CITY FC
