Arsene Wenger called for Arsenal’s supporters to trust his judgment as Robin van Persie’s departure was once more keenly felt at the Britannia Stadium.
Wenger’s attack followed up last week’s blank against Sunderland by firing another one in the Potteries during a goalless draw with Stoke as the replacements for the departed RVP failed to find their cutting edge.
Neither Lukas Podolski nor Olivier Giroud convinced and there was little from Gervinho on a day when defences were on top.
But Wenger asked for patience after the final whistle, saying the Gunners will make good that loss by several players chipping in, saying: “I’m having the same questions now with Robin van Persie as I did when Thierry Henry left.
“Last season I had to answer, ‘Why do you play Van Persie as a centre forward?’ And you don’t have to convince me that we have lost an exceptional player. I was the first to say that.
“We have to get around that by sharing more of the goals than we did before with Van Persie. If Giroud scores 20 and Podolski scores 20, we will get goals. I’m convinced about that.
“We have to share them around. But, a month ago, they did not know each other. The understanding is missing, but it will come.
“We have work to do on the training ground but you can feel the potential. The understanding can come quickly. But the more it is spoken about, the bigger the problem becomes.
“Giroud should not think he is a replacement for Van Persie in the number of goals. We want to play as a team and if we play well as a team, we will score goals.’
The ill-will between the two clubs was never far from the surface but failed to flare up as the teams, well managed by referee Lee Mason, just about kept their tempers.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: “I’m pleased with a point, although we were disappointing going forward. We looked unbalanced, but our commitment was first-class. As a club, we must never become blase about taking a point from the likes of Arsenal.” – Daily Mail