If you looked very carefully, you could see the bottom lips of the Arsenal defenders quivering every time Rory Delap ran up to take a throw-in on Saturday. The Stoke midfielder’s missiles are far more valuable than a corner, having created both of the Potters’ goals against the Gunners, and one of his team-mates reckon that Arsene Wenger’s men just don’t have what it takes to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
The Daily Telegraph report the words of Thomas Sorenson, the former Villa keeper who is proving to be solid between the sticks for City. The Dane claims that Arsenal are suffering from a distinct lack of backbone, something which is hardly controversial, given that their defeats have come against teams with plenty of physical might this season.
Sorensen said: “Arsenal have shown in the past that they are a fantastic football side, but they are just lacking that bit of physicality. When Chelsea came here, they matched us in the challenges, but Arsenal weren’t quite there.
“That’s the difference. Arsenal lack that bit of spine that you need. They want to play all the time, but sometimes you have to work hard and earn the opportunity to play your football.
“They have excellent players, but once we got the second goal, it felt like we were cruising because they totally lost belief. I think they expected a bit of an easier ride, but no one’s going to get that here.”
Before Arsenal supporters lose hope, Aston Villa were also defeated at the Britannia Stadium this season, while Stoke also kept Liverpool at bay when they travelled to Anfield. It’s clear that City are making themselves very difficult to beat at home, especially with a raucous crowd cheering them on every game. Do Gunners fans agree with the words of Sorenson?
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