Tony Pulis is not losing any sleep over the rivalry between his Stoke City side and Arsenal because he doubts he can do anything to affect the animosity.
Stoke on Sunday hosted the Gunners at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League in an edgy goalless draw, with home fans jeering Arsenal players and manager Arsene Wenger.
The animosity dates back to February 2010 when Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey’s leg was broken by Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, and the mood was evident at the weekend.
Wenger saw his side struggle in the attacking third of the field against a determined Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday but remains confident that Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Gervinho, supported by attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla, will eventually all come good.
“The understanding was missing,” said Wenger. “One month ago Cazorla and Podolski did not know each other. There is work to be done on the training ground. There is potential, but something is missing.
“I am very positive about my team. We haven’t scored in two games, but we played against two units that defended very well.”
