28 February,2010 10:10 AM IST | | Agencies
Arsenal snatched two late goals at Stoke to triumph 3-1 in the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. However, the victory had been completely overshadowed by Aaron Ramsey's career- threatening injury that will rule the teenager out of the game for months.
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With this win Arsenal move to within three points of the top.
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Arsenal's Fabregas scored a last-gasp penalty after Danny Pugh handled the ball, Vermaelen scored the third for the Gunners.
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Pugh had given Stoke the lead on eight minutes but Nicklas Bendtner headed the equaliser just after the half-hour mark.
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But on 65 minutes, Arsenal's players were visibly shocked as Ramsey suffered a horrendous injury in a challenge with Shawcross, who was sent off.
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For 10 minutes, few players made a single tackle but gradually Arsenal made the extra man pay and Fabregas showed his nerve as he converted from the spot after Pugh's handball and Vermaelen secured the win with the third in injury time.
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With 10 games to go, Chelsea remain one point clear of United followed by Arsenal on third position. City climbed to fourth place, boosting their hopes of claiming the remaining Champions League spot next season.u00a0
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Wenger furious
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was left sickened by the horrific broken leg suffered by Aaron Ramsey that will rule the teenager out of the game for months.
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Wales international Ramsey was stretchered off in the second half of Arsenal's 3-1 win at Stoke, which moves Wenger's team to within three points of Premier League leaders Chelsea, after an ugly challenge by Ryan Shawcross.
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Shawcross is facing a three-match suspension for the challenge in Saturday's game, but the Frenchman called for the former Manchester United defender to be hit with a tougher punishment after an injury that left Arsenal's players distraught.
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Wenger has already seen Eduardo and Abou Diaby suffer career-threatening injuries during his time at Arsenal and he wants an example made of Shawcross, who learned just hours after the incident that he had been called up for England's mid-week friendly against Egypt.
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"Is a three-match ban enough? It is just ridiculous," Wenger said. "It's beyond words. It was an horrendous tackle.
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"I'm very sad. To lose a player of that quality at 19-years-of age when he's just started his career is just horrendous.
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"It's the third player we have lost to tackles that are just not acceptable and I'm shocked.
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"It's not football for me and it's not what I like in the game. If we have to live with that, I refuse to do that.
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"Of course (the Football Association need to act). I can do nothing about it. The players are professional and they have to respect the rules and respect each other.
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"Players who don't do it need to be punished. This is a young fantastic talent and it's sad that a player of his talent has been kicked out like that."
