<p><br /> Stoke manager Tony Pulis is convinced captain Ryan Shawcross has broad enough shoulders to cope with the flak he is likely to face at Arsenal on Saturday.<br /> </p><p><br /> Shawcross can expect a hostile reception from those Gunners fans unwilling to forgive him for a challenge on Aaron Ramsey during a Premier League game at the Britannia Stadium in February that left the young midfielder with a broken leg.<br /> </p><p><br /> For the first time since the incident that infuriated Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who described the tackle as "horrendous", Shawcross and Stoke take on the Frenchman's side.<br /> </p><p><br /> Although Ramsey has recovered, the 19-year-old will not be involved as he is currently on loan with npower Championship side Nottingham Forest as he builds up his fitness.<br /> </p><p><br /> But with the game at the Emirates Stadium, Shawcross is unlikely to be allowed to forget and faces a tough afternoon.<br /> </p><p><br /> Pulis has laughed off suggestions of a personal bodyguard for his defender, but he said: "People have to take flak at times, and if Ryan does, then so be it."<br /> </p><p><br /> He added: "It's part of the world we live in. We all take stick, and we all have to be broad-shouldered to do that in this game. If you're not then you shouldn't be in it.<br /> </p><p><br /> "We'll see what happens, but I don't give a damn what people think of Ryan outside this club."<br /> </p><p><br /> Pulis has again launched a vigorous defence of the 23-year-old defender, as he did originally after the incident.<br /> </p><p><br /> "He's a great lad, an honest lad, a competitive defender who has done fantastically well for us," added Pulis.<br /> </p>
