The brave warriors of Arsenal F.C left the footballing equivalent of Mordor with a point today. A disappointing result to some, but thanks to results elsewhere and the fact that Arsenal were playing Stoke City, a point that will prove valuable in Arsenal’s quest for third.

The Gunners were somewhat back to their creative best today, and perhaps should have won the game.

After early pressure, including a chance for Yossi Benayoun, Arsenal were shocked as Peter Crouch leapt to head in a cross. In previous years that would have been the beginning of Arsenal’s demise, but that was not to be this time around. On 15 minutes Robin Van Persie put in a Rosicky cross to put Arsenal deservedly level, his first goal from open play in 7 games.

After that Arsenal enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and decent chances, but failed to make any of them count. Gervinho should have headed in Sagna’s cross, a feat made even more painful by his massive forehead.

Stoke did occasionally threaten from set pieces and their lineouts (we call them throw-ins in football, but rugby teams aren’t to know that), but otherwise it was all Arsenal. Vermaelen fired wide and two penalty appeals were turned down (naturally), but the Potters held on for a point.

So the One Ring wasn’t destroyed, and Gollum (Ryan Shawcross) wasn’t killed. In truth, there is only one lesson that can be learned from today’s game:

Stoke City and its supporters are enormous twats.

It started before the game, when it transpired the groundsmen had made the pitch narrower in an attempt to stifle the Gunner’s wing work (it didn’t). Then forum posts began to appear where Stoke fans openly wished leg breaks on Robin Van Persie and Aaron Ramsey, the latter being subject to comments along the lines of ‘end his career’. Now I’m often guilty of criticising Aaron Ramsey, but he played well today and I wouldn’t wish anything like that on him.

Throughout the game Arsenal were whistled in possession, Aaron Ramsey was booed for being an enormous pansy when his LEG WAS BROKEN, and towards the end of the match Stoke fans began to copy Arsene Wenger in a childish dig at his side’s ability to play football.

The worst part is, the only reason Stoke fans dislike Arsenal so much is because of animosity created by their own player’s lack of skill and thuggishness. Tony Pulis insinuated that the justified booing of Ryan Shawcross by our wonderful away supporters was worse than the dickwitted abuse of Aaron Ramsey, and generally refused to apologise for existing.

So that’s what happened today. Combined with Newcastle’s 4-0 thrashing by Wigan, I dare say Arsenal fans can feel good about today. I do.

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