Gunners Win Against Stoke City But Suffer Injuries to Key Players

Arsenal have not lost a game in the Premier League since December.

Today, their spectacular form was kept intact, as the Gunners battled with Stoke City for all the points at the Emirates.

With a goal by the-fallen-out-of-favour Sebastien Squillaci, Arsene Wenger’s men put significant pressure on league leaders Manchester United by closing the gap to only a point.

But the atmosphere of the match was tainted by the injuries of influential players Cesc Fabregas early on and Theo Walcott in the second half.

Fabregas had to be substituted only 11 minutes after the start of the game when he signalled he was feeling pain.

“Fabregas has a hamstring problem but we will assess that tomorrow, tonight it is impossible to say how serious it is. We will know more about it tomorrow.” Wenger explained.

"It is of course a concern that he [Fabregas] is injured but it [reoccurring hamstring injury] can happen unfortunately. He was very upset, I am as well, but it is not his fault and it is not my fault, it is part of sport.

"It's strange that it happened early in the game but we have to face it." Wenger continued.

News could be that he could be sidelined for up to a month, depending on the severity of the injury.

If such is the case, it will be a big blow for the Gunners, as their captain will miss the Champions League replay at Camp Nou.

Arsenal suffered yet another blow to their trophy aspirations in the second half, as Theo Walcott collapsed on the ground near the edge of the box and had to be carried away being unable to stand on his feet.

"Walcott has an ankle sprain and he's out, for how long I can't tell you, but for Sunday he is definitely out," said the manager.

Despite the injuries, Wenger was quick to praise his boys for winning the match when not playing at their best level.

“Tonight was a night when nobody else played [well] and if you can take three points and glide closer to the top, that means that your team is really hungry for success.” Le Professor said.

“The number of games we play, not to make a mistake at any stage...we were less sharp creatively but you could feel the team did not want to make a mistake and that's a very positive sign.

“I think we have matured, certainly.

“We can win a game tonight when we are less creative, less fluent, but with intelligence, brain and calm.

“That is what has changed. Before, one or two years ago when we were not at our best, we dropped points. Tonight you could see the team realised 'let's not make the mistake' and I must give a lot of credit to my players.”

The hard-fought three points against a difficult Stoke City side proved that the Arsenal players are fully focused on every single game.

They are still fighting on all four fronts and, so far, have been successful.

But the gruelling program of January and February is already taking its toll. If Arsene Wenger’s men can cope with the absences of some of their more influential teammates, they will be on the right track to winning a much-sought trophy at last.

The Gunners’ first chance to do that, in almost five years, will come on Sunday, when they will face Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final—a much similar side to Stoke City.