In Lou Macari’s column for the Stoke Sentinel this morning ahead of Stokes match against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon at the Britannia Stadium, the former Manchester United striker and Stoke City manager blames Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the Potters reputation of playing very aggressive defensive football.
“Whether we like it or not, Stoke are still among those fighting to save themselves as they prepare for Saturday’s visit of Arsenal.
It’s not a great fixture for Stoke in many ways because Arsenal will come to the Britannia with plenty to play for, which hasn’t always been the case, so they should be up for whatever battle awaits them.
Not that my idea of a battle is anything like the kind of battle Arsene Wenger has portrayed down the years.
Wenger, more than any other individual, has been responsible for this reputation of Stoke being big, ugly, horrible and dirty.
It’s a ridiculous reputation, but one which has clearly stuck.
Hard as I try, I just cannot find a Jimmy Case, Graeme Souness, Bruce Rioch or Roy Keane in any Stoke City line-up… players who knew both sides of the game.
I can only conclude that it suited Wenger to build up this reputation for Stoke to cover his own side’s shortcomings whenever they lost at the Britannia.
But as I say, his players have no excuse for not being up for this one on Saturday and that has to make it harder for Stoke.
Then again, the very sight of Arsenal seems to bring the best out of Stoke’s players and fans, so fingers crossed for more of the same this weekend.”
