Ramsey Injury Takes Shine Of Gunners Win

A horrific injury to Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey overshadowed a last-gasp win over Stoke that hauled the Gunners firmly into the Barclays Premier League title race on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old midfielder appeared to break his leg after a red-card challenge from Ryan Shawcross that had echoes of team-mate Eduardo’s own bad injury two years ago.Shawcross, who was shown an immediate red card, appeared to be in tears when he left the field and a number of other players were clearly upset by the incident.

The injury overshadows a huge Arsenal come from behind win, that moved the Gunners to within three points of leaders Chelsea and ended Stoke’s 11-match unbeaten run

Arsenal had begun the game by handing veteran Sol Campbell his first Premier League start since rejoining the club last month. Partnering Vermaelen, the former England defender was expected to have plenty of Rory Delap throws – a recent Arsenal weakness – to deal with and it was not long before they were tested.

Having been undone by the Irishman’s potent weapon on their previous two visits, the trepidation amongst the back line was obvious as Delap lined up his first throw after four minutes.

It was probably much to their relief that Mamady Sidibe headed wide from a long throw close to Tony Pulis’ technical area, but they were to be examined again soon enough.

That Arsenal had not learned from previous experience was clear as Alex Song’s natural instinct to put the ball out for a throw rather than concede a corner kicked in. That allowed Delap to launch another missile from level with the six-yard box.

Delap picked out Shawcross with a flat delivery and the defender’s glancing header allowed the onrushing Pugh, just onside, to nod in at the far post.

Delap continued to bombard the Arsenal penalty area at every opportunity, from right and left, but the Londoners managed to clear the next three throws, albeit uncomfortably, without further damage.

It took 25 minutes for Arsenal to muster an effort on goal, Fabregas controlling a bouncing ball yards out and forcing Thomas Sorensen to concede a corner.

Then Arsenal started to win some possession in a congested midfield and equalised after 31 minutes with a clever throw-in routine of their own.

Bacary Sagna went short to allow Fabregas to cross from the right and his pinpoint delivery was met by a looping header across goal from Bendtner 10 yards out.

Arsenal controlled the rest of the first half but had only one serious opportunity when Fabregas fired a free-kick into the wall.

Arsenal showed a great deal of fighting spirit to continue to play and attack after the Ramsay injury. Arsenal’s persistence paid off when Bendtner’s flick into the penalty area was handled by Pugh.

Fabregas stepped up to squeeze a low spot-kick into the bottom corner and spark emotional celebrations.

Arsenal added a third during seven minutes of injury time as Sorensen parried a Rosicky shot and Eduardo squared for Vermaelen to easily score.