Cheats Seldom Prosper! It's about scoring Kenny, not possession…..

If ever there was a game to challenge our mindset, it was this one.

Not many sides go to Anfield and get three points do they and they were buzzing after their unconvincing victory against Cardiff in the Carling Cup Final. But, they won that final, and that’s all that matters as far as all the pundits and media are concerned.

Steven Gerrard ponced about with the Cup before kick-off, looking his usual boring miserable self and the home fans were lifted, in full voice about their latest conquest, actually, their first in years!

Somehow though, they have never gathered the ‘not won anything….’ label that we have had for so long!

We started with the same eleven that faced Tottenham, but we had a surprise visitor on the bench. Diaby doesn’t turn up often but yesterday he did…. Not for long though as it turned out!

You will all know by now that I despise Liverpool with great passion so let’s forget them in this report and concentrate on the team which mattered, Arsenal.

The first major incident was ‘their’ penalty.

Just after the 15 minute mark, a massive moment of controversy.

Cheats Seldom Prosper Suarez!

Suarez got into the box, Chesney came out to meet the ball, realised he had no chance and withdrew – Suarez took a dramatic dive and Mark Halsey pointed to the penalty spot! Yet again, no booking, no sending off!

Why, because Halsey guessed, that’s why! He couldn’t even have seen the incident as so many players were blocking his view but yet again a shocking decision.

Dick Kite stepped up, Chesney made the save, he palmed the straight back to Kite whose shot was then saved again by the big Pole!

Pure class, outstanding goalkeeping!

Not long after, the cheats home side score, well, we score for them…

Chamberlain’s ‘keepie uppie’ mate Henderson crosses from the right hand side and Koscielny slices a clearance past Chesney into the back of our net!
Jammy B******s!

On the half hour and some would say out of nowhere, we grabbed an equaliser. Sagna whipped in a super cross from the right which was right on the money. Who else but Robin van Persie was on hand to head home?

1-1 and game on!

Chesney performed heroics again soon after as he saved low from a Suarez attempt, a shot that was destined for the back of the net.

Dick Kite then hit the post just before half-time…

The old bin dippers started the second half as bright as they did the first as Suarez hit the side netting and soon after we suffered a shocker of an injury.

Arteta collided with Henderson and down he went and he didn’t look good – many minutes after he was taken off on a stretcher with concussion and a suspected broken jaw. (No update on afc.com yet)

As he went off, some guy in a beard came on; it took me ages to realise who he was. Was it Huggy Bear?

No, it was some geezer called Diaby!

Diaby had a soft shot on goal which was easily saved and Theo saw his chance go high and wide.

Chesney then made another good save, getting a hand to a head on from Skrtel which would have otherwise found a man in red!

Vermaelen found himself in the naughty corner after a little nudge on Suarez, ok, for a tackle from behind….

The Dippers then came very close from a super cross just in front of Chesney but Kelly missed a golden chance, shame eh…!

Walcott hah a chance after Gibbs had cut a pass back, but Reina saved!

On 75 mins, Yossi went off and was replaced by Gervinho – in all fairness, it wasn’t his best game…

Now then, you know I mentioned that geezer with the beard that looked like Huggy Bear, well he went off on 80 minutes and on in his place came Chamberlain! Oh, and soon after, Bellamy came on for Downing. (£18 million Downing – you are having a laugh!!)

Anyway, back to things that matter, the board went up and signalled eight minutes of extra time!!

Admission time, did you not want that, would you have rather the game was over and we’d nicked a point?

But, when Robin van Persie is on the pitch, anything can happen and it did.

Yet again, Alex Song was guilty of playing an inch perfect pass forward, a pass that our captain side footed past Reina..

Wonderful, sheer class, both the pass and finish were perfection and soon after, Mark Halsey blew his whistle.

Game over, three points won, truly won!

An away fixture at Anfield is one of the hardest in the Premier League season – their fans are loud, they are proud and up there it’s like playing against twelve players and that’s not including the ref!

We won’t always see the best of our players during fixtures like yesterdays so I’m not going to knock any of them.

Why? because collectively they did what we all wanted, needed and hoped for and at this stage of our season, that is what matters most.

Kenny Dalglish said after the game that his side should have won, they did enough to win, well he’s wrong. If they had done enough, they would have scored more goals than us, in fact they didn’t manage to score any, their only goal was scored by us. For all their possession and intricate play, they couldn’t manage what counts could they and as much as they may naff him off it’s tough, it’s happened to us on many many occasions.

Robin was awarded the Man of the Match for his two goals, but being the kind of man he is, he soon handed over the bottle of bubbly to Chesney, he was outstanding yesterday……

The dippers now sit ten points behind us, the Chavs sit three points behind us after their 1-0 battering at WBA.

As long as we keep winning, 3rd place really is up for grabs now…..

Have a good day all, don’t forget to cheer on Fergies merry men later……

 

 

260 thoughts on “Cheats Seldom Prosper! It's about scoring Kenny, not possession…..

  1. rico says:

    Rafa to the Chavs – isn’t that out of the frying pan into the fire? 😛

    Morning all

    Anyone seen any updates on Arteta??

  2. Scott From Oz says:

    Morning Rico.
    Just finished watching a replay.
    As I said(on the previous topic) ,part of playing well us finishing.
    Liverpool can’t,so there’s no claiming to be unlucky.
    They hit the post a few times every game…when does it stop being misfortune???

  3. rico says:

    Morning Scott,

    Look at how many times we have hit the woodwork time and time over and could never get the goal, tough for them eh, great for us 😉

    Kenny should have bought a goal scorer instead of wasting £35 m one Carroll….

    Ches was awesme wasn’t he, i forgot to mention his double headed clearance … Best he’s played in a while, that will have done him the world of good….

  4. Charlie says:

    What a cheat. Worst is a racist cheat. He conned the ref by his reaction, as though he was kicked on the shin. FA should institue a law ahainst cheats, including Bale.

  5. Scott From Oz says:

    Kenny bought Carroll,Downing,Henderson….none have really set the world on fire.
    The big fella at the back was superb

  6. rico says:

    Hi Charlie, agree re suarez, and bale…..

    i dont dislike henderson, but the other two, hardly worth the money kenny paid…

  7. Ik says:

    Well said man, Daglish cant say they deserved to win when the cldnt even score a goal. We have had our share of such games, where we possessed the game and cldnt make it count. They did have a good game plan, which was to play the high balls, thus giving our midfield very little control of the ball. I like that we found a way out of the game. Victoria concordia crescit.

  8. Wavy says:

    According to BBC Five Live last night, Arteta went to hospital, was checked over, discharged and caught the bus home with the rest of the team/squad etc. So presumably he’s OK. Nothing broken and not concussed, just badly shaken and bruised! Shall we see him Tuesday when we beat AC Milan 6-1? (We’re bound to concede at least 1 goal!!

  9. Ik says:

    I like the topic, cheats dont prosper, and if they do it is only for a while. Suarez is a very good player and i believe if he can drop some of his antics he wld do very well in the premiership. I am still basking in the victory.

  10. rico says:

    Thanks Wavy, and thanks goodness for that…

    Gibbs
    Arteta
    RvP
    TV
    Diaby

    All doubts for Milan…..

    TV was struggling with his back yesterday…

  11. goonster says:

    Sad to see a fellow gooner knock diaby. Not his fault he’s injury prone. Its not as if he enjoys warming the physio’s bed. I believe the same thing was said about robin now look. Anyway good morning folks.

  12. Scott From Oz says:

    Exactly right Goonster.
    Imagine if we’d sold RVP a year or two back……
    Diabys not worth much for sale,so persevere I reckon.
    When his contract is up,offer an incentive based deal.

  13. goonster says:

    There’s no need risking the fitness of the whole team on an already decided encounter. We ll definitely beat milan but won’t go through. Let’s channel all our resources into our remaining epl games. Next stop the magpies and boy do they owe us a whupping?

  14. rico says:

    hi goonster,

    just being ironic about Diaby, i thought we were a little better in midfield when he came on, its just a shame he suffered injury again, but i put that down to him not having the time to warm up properly, hamstring pulled i think….

  15. Scott From Oz says:

    I agree….forget the Milan game.
    Id rather lose it and concentrate on being there next year.

  16. rico says:

    Suarez penalty..

    What should have happened is a red card for diving – just as van Bronkhust got at Anfield a few years back, albeit he didn’t dive. Didn’t stop us that day either did it, Freddie got the winner i think 🙂

  17. goonster says:

    Morning mama bear, like I ve always said diaby is class he just needs to string a few games together and we ll all see a beast of a mid fielder. If am not mistaken he was voted the best french player at the last world cup. I believe he ll come good.

  18. rico says:

    No he didn’t Scott, i’ll rib him, that’s just me but i too want him to be fit and proving himself… after all, he’s an arsenal player and should be playing his part….

    same with Gibbs, he’s injured again, and that means TV will have to play at left back and our defence is disrupted again…

  19. Merlin96 says:

    Rico,

    We were on the ropes and Lady Luck sure smiled on us yesterday. May that fickle wench, Lady Luck continues her affair with Arsene Wenger throughout this season.

    Recalled we were in similar situaiton last year..with 70% possession, 20+ goal attempts, and only for our opponent to stage a counter-attack and socred the winned late in teh game. FUlham game anyone?

    This game will provide Wenger with much to think about like:

    1 – Why the tactical formation and players fielded work against S*CUMS and not against Liverpool?

    2 – Why was Suarez cuttign thru’ our centre so easily on numerous ocassions creating panic among the Back-4?

    3 – And yes, during 2nd half when Song played so deep almost like our 3rd CB in 4-1-4-1 that we began to take control of midfield to battle it out and win some balls.

    4 – Few managers will copy Daglish’s tactics as instantly pressurised and Arsenal players that ahd the ball, refusing to allow them to settle on the ball, closing them down with physical intimidation by fair or foul means – the aim is to stop Arsenal players from ever taking one step to move with the ball at their feet.

    5 – We lost the physical battle in the middle – too many lightwieght “midgets”. Adn when Diaby came on, his control and quickly passing without dwelling on the ball, helped to settle our midfield. We need more physically imposing midfielders liek Diaby in the middle! Rosicky, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Benayoun..they all look “lightweights” and will struggle against a physically imposing MIDFIELD like Liverpool.

    Did you see the way Adams, Henderson and Kuyt hustled and closing down our midfield?

  20. rico says:

    He was goonster but to be fair, that french team had all sorts of problems 😉

    I’m not sure he’s class, haven’t seen him play enough to judge 😉

  21. rico says:

    Merlin,

    we have been saying that about our midfield for a few seasons now, as we have about other teams hassling and closing us down quickly.

    last weekend we did that to the yids and won the battle’s all over the pitch but yesterday we didn’t and we couldn’t keep the ball long enough.

    We still need a M’Vila kind of midfilder to win the midfield battle.

    Mind you, i wouldn’t describe Jack as lightweight, nor Frimpong 😉

  22. goonster says:

    Yeah we did scott. I particularly enjoyed the look on daglish’s face when rocking robin rammed it through down their assholes. What a team of cheats.

  23. rico says:

    Jenks is fit Scott…

    Call me a cynic but, i am not sure how many are truly injured, my thought is that Wenger will field an under strength side against Milan and the injuries, apart from Diaby, are to justify his selection….

  24. Potter says:

    Play Diaby and Gibbs against Milan as sacrificial injuries Arteta must be a doubt for this following his”apparent accidental collision ” So the squad is stretched again . I will be happy to witness a spirited effort with a narrow win to keep the momentum going and bow out with their heads held up.

  25. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all, nice one Rico 🙂
    What is it with did Czezs touch him or not crap, what is he supposed to do just let the cheat through. I would say minimal contact if any. It has to be pointed out that the cheat can be tackled anywhere on the field, but because he is a serial diver nobody wants to touch him in the box. There comes a time when the FA have got to take some action, a man can get poleaxed on any part of the field and may not even get a free kick, but in the box a foot coming anywhere near you is different cobblers with four officials on the field surely a solution can be found. A man takes drugs and he is classed as a cheat and is banned from his or her sport this is no different cheats like Bale Suarez Nani Ronkey should also be banned. A man can be judged by video evidence for off the ball encounters, it should be done for cheats as well.

  26. Potter says:

    Too true , however none of the so called judges with the benefit of replays would call it a dive , they just hid behind the old went down easily banner. I am not sure who exactly I would trust to oversee the video evidence.

  27. rico says:

    Hi Potter, i think we are alll expecting us to go out of the CL, but yes, with our heads held high would be nice…

    what would be horrid is winning 3-0 🙁

  28. Scott From Oz says:

    Potter,I saw a replay an hour ago,and there is absolutely no way Henderson hit Arteta intentionally,in my opinion.
    Steve,players simply trail their back leg through,initiate contact and get the penalty.
    Again,I can’t blame refs,it happens too quickly,I blame the players and their managers.

  29. Potter says:

    I thought he had time to get out the way , but then I was quick on my feet , I think I could have avoided it.

  30. Billboy says:

    Morning all.

    Great post. Sums up my thoughts preety much.

    It’s hard to believe that we have had abyssmal penalty decisions against us in successive big matches.

    Dean you expect, but I thought Halsey was better than that. with Suarez’s recent history you would expect himto be pilloried by the media as a cheating Johnnie foreigner. Let’s see.

  31. rico says:

    Morning Steve

    problem is that when a referee has made a decision and taken action which he did, the incedent can’t be reviewed. maybe that’s the first step, remove the limited right to review, then regardless of whether the ref has seen it of not, a panel can decide….

    they do it in cricket and at the time of a incident (wickets i mean)…

    the game is quick, referees need more help and if if technology was brought in, we’d soon see an improvement in the quailty of referees….

  32. Scott From Oz says:

    I didn’t think he was looking at Arteta.
    He didn’t avoid him,but he also never changed direction to hit him.
    I can’t hold him responsible.

  33. devilgunner says:

    Good morning guys and chicks of the Gunners’ Faith.

    A short one this morning. Then will be back laters for the scum from the slum game vs the Manure of big red nose.

    Goonie, you can well stay here today. I am here only for a short spell so no need to bugger off as usual.

    Hope you all are ok.

    I agree with you Rico…….not sure how many are unfit for the next game. Maybe they are there to justify his selection. And they will be better vs Newcastle. Sp expect many will not play. The third place is there for the taking. Who knows what this team might achieve without the hindrance of the cups.

  34. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Scott hope the heads cleared.
    If a referee in not one hundred% certain he must rule that it is not a penalty. he couldn’t see from his angle so he must have been guided by a guy 80 yds away. we all saw minimal contact no eccessive force no intent and it was a 50 50 ball. No penalty booking for cheating end of, or the ref had a bung

  35. devilgunner says:

    Scott I agree with you…..Henderson was not guilty. Both were looking at the same direction but not at each other. It was not intentional.

    cu you later guys.

  36. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico,believe me,we don’t want games stopped for video reviews.
    I have seen League games stopped for a video ref to make a call,and quite often,plenty disagree with the call he makes!
    No,ban divers during the week,hit them hard and it will die off.

  37. rico says:

    Morning Billboy

    Same here re Halsey, always thought he was more honest than most, he’s certanly recluctant to dish out the cards, was quite suprised that a few more dippers didn’t go in the book, especially the one right after TV got booked….

    No mention on SS’s today about Suarez (the donkey) and his diving abilities….

  38. Scott From Oz says:

    Steve,I reckon 8 beers were followed by around 15 or so whiskies…..a hell of a session lol.
    Heads much better today.
    I get your point on refs and their decisions,but take it out of their hands.

  39. rico says:

    I am mainly talking about after the game reviews Scott, retrospective bans for cheats, regardless of whether the ref has dealt with the incident.

    But, i differ to you, the sooner live technology comes in the better, its in next season for goal line decisions, the rest will follow….

  40. Adam says:

    It seems like it doesn’t matter how good or bad we are to the press and Sky. All anybody is interested in is whether Robin will sign a new contract with most, lead by that vile little creature Jamie effing Redknapp, already deciding that he won’t. Why don’t they concentrate on something positive for the game like eradicating the appalling level of cheating that goes on week in, week out on our TV screens by highlighting it and calling for the FA to take retrospective action. Think of the stick that Eduardo got and then see how lightly Bale and Suarez have got off. We won both games but their cheating could have cost us all the points. it is a total scandal and let’s not forget the penalties, won by cheats, that have cost us. Remember Swansea when that bloke Dwyer(?) should have been sent off for an over the top stamp yet ended up with a penalty that cost us dearly? And that is only one other example that comes easily to mind.

  41. rico says:

    Steve

    As Le Tiss said yesterday, how could that penalty have been awarded, Halsey had about five players blocking his view.

    He guessed, and guessed wrongly…..

  42. Scott From Oz says:

    I hate it Rico,because it still comes down to an opinion-obviously goal line technology is different.
    Bring it in,and in two or three years,plenty will want it gone.

  43. rico says:

    Adam –

    spot on, i was telling JR exactly what i thought of him yesterday via the television, we had just won, great goalkeeper, two great goals and all he wanted to talk about was RvP’s contract situation….

    Why, because we had just beaten his old club and he hated it, just like last week when we baterred his daddies side…

    Well, i am convinced that RvP will soon sign a new one, that will piss on his chips won’t it… (sorry)

  44. Adam says:

    Rico. It must be those skin tight trousers that Redknapp wears that restricts the flow of blood to his peanut-sized brain.

  45. rico says:

    Bring it in Scott and the standard of refereeing will rise, they won’t want to be caught out, they won’t be able to be biased as they are now..

    There is too much at stake to leave the game to be run by one man and two lino’s, just look at the decisions that have gone against us – we may have won the PL last season if it had been in place then..

    Maybe other seasons too….

  46. rico says:

    😆 Adam

    He should stick to A league or their own and his M&S adverts because as a football pundit he is rubbish, he is so biased…..

  47. Adam says:

    When Hansen and Hoddle say that penalties for Liverpool and Spurs were wrongly awarded you better believe it.

  48. Adam says:

    But Rico. He has a lovely wife. She even does the washing up according to Harry but that’s probably because he doesn’t ‘t know how to turn the tap on. Or so he told the judge.

  49. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico,its all great in theory,but it doesn’t do anything for refs at all.
    Ref standards in league are no better than ten years ago.
    If the video ref got 90% of decisions right,then id agree.
    When you sit there for two minutes awaiting a decision,and the call is made where even the commentators can’t agree if its right or wrong,then what’s the point?
    I loathe it.

  50. rico says:

    It’s not here Scott and there is no signing of it so as much as we want it or not, it’s not happening..

    In the meantime, cheats will be allowed to cheat….

  51. stevepalmer1 says:

    People just a short time ago was saying we have to learn to win ugly, well that game wasn’t pretty and give the scousers and the cheat credit they did hold the ball and play us off the park but we persevered and did our best and we won. That is winning ugly and i loved it. 3rd is on the cards. While it is still mathamatically possible i will still believe we can catch them all, Milan will be a tough test and some would say impossible, our team seem to get more and more injuries and we will struggle to field our best team but its not over till the fat Lady sings. I don’t want us to field a weak side its weak enough now lets just go out there and try our best, were at home and on a good surface that we know well i fancy us to win this one whether we get as many as we need we’ll have to wait and see but don’t rule us out just yet.

  52. Adam says:

    Yes Rico. Both of them although I was partially blinded by the glare from Shearer’s forehead at the time.

  53. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico,exactly why I’m an advocate for a video review system.
    After the game,cheats should be picked out and punished,regardless of the red having taken action or not.
    Steve,maybe go hard at Milan,but if after 50 or 60 minutes its not happening,make the changes.

  54. DutchGooner10 says:

    Guut murning mon amis,

    Mac Ricolicious I’m loving it. Great post. Had me smiling through and through. Superb find on the dinky donkey. 😛

    Suarez has a 5 by 5 manicured turf at home to practice marinating himself. If memory serves me right few seasons ago in a CL game we had Eduardo ‘anticipating’ a tackle in the box. The FA, FIFA and a dozen journo monkeys piled up on our back to grill our un-tanned arses first and then give it a red marks spanking publicly afterwards, making us villains personified. WHERE ARE THESE F#CKER$ NOW???

  55. stevepalmer1 says:

    Good point Scott, I think this will be a good one though, and they will think its a walk in the park, if we can get an early goal the shit could hit the fan 🙂

  56. rico says:

    Spot on Steve about winning ugly, that’s what the mancs have been doing for years which brought them great sucess, ok, they have played some stunning football along the way to at times 😉

    Milan, well, who knows what will happen but i hope wenger doesn’t risk players who have little niggles already….

  57. rico says:

    Morning DG, thanks and i knew someone out there would like the donkey 😉

    Now where did we see those teeth yesterday 😉

  58. Adam says:

    Thanks a lot DG. I hope I can get a bit of time but the schedule is tight this time. I will be re-visiting Hilversulm and Haaften soon though. Amsterdam is a 40 minute flight from London City and from there I either get picked up or catch the train? For Arnhem though I fly into Dusseldorf.

  59. stevepalmer1 says:

    Champions League should never be taken lightly, even when the odds are against, as the amount of money that is paid out on every step you advance, is massive. The amount of money still to be earned in the CL must be comparable with winning the Premier.

  60. Micko says:

    Morning all,
    Dirty, cheating, diving, robbing, thieving scousers, anyone would think Kenny Dalgeish was a victim, he has a face that would make an onion cry !
    Loved the slow motion replay for the winner, watch RVP’s eyes as the ball is in the air, its like watching a deadly assassin in action, great stuff.

  61. Goondog says:

    Can I just say, from the replays I see, no matter whether there was contact or not, it was a dive. Suarez the lop faced buck toothed terwat could easily have lobbed our pole in goal Furthermore, if he is of the calibre they say he is, he would have been able to score that before going down. In fact the dive only goes to show how little faith he doth have in his abilities. He is pizz poor. Pathetic diving cheating racist puta

  62. Scott From Oz says:

    Steve,the balancing act is having a crack now may be detrimental to qualifying next season.
    Oh to be a manager lol.

  63. DutchGooner10 says:

    Cheers Adam, it might be a good one to bookmark, it covers Holland overall. Dusseldorf is a smart choice, from Amsterdam you would be involved in hectic traffic and a 1,5 hour drive or train hopping, if ur lucky.

  64. rico says:

    And we need the money Steve 😉

    Morning Micko, his first wasn’t bad either ….

    Welcome goondog, you don’t like Suarez much then 😉

  65. Scott From Oz says:

    A mate took some kids to Brazil 18 months ago for a training tour.
    Kids of 15 were doing an hour long session every week on winning penalties.

  66. Billboy says:

    We currently have video reviews of incidents and players can get bans resulting from these. However , this is only when the Ref says he didn’t see the incident. Mark Halsey clearly didn’t see yesterday’s incident but is he going to admit that? Is he f**k. Consequently for a video review to be of any use after the event it would have to be acted on regardless of whether the Ref claims to have seen it. This would undermine the Ref and for that reason The authorities (LOL) , FA, UEFA and FIFA are unlikely to go down such a road. The truth? They couldn’t handle the truth.

  67. stevepalmer1 says:

    Understand where your coming from Scott but whats the point in qualifying if you don’t try winning it. or do you think the money is the only thing that Arsenal want.

  68. Scott From Oz says:

    Steve,they need to qualify to help attract players.
    Also,if they were 2-0 down,we wouldn’t be having this discussion,but 4 down……
    Give it 50 or 60 minutes for sure,but don’t leave RVP (and others) out there for 90 if we can’t win,that’s all I’m suggesting.

  69. rico says:

    Absolutely Billyboy, that’s the whole reason the big wigs don’t want to interferes wuth the game, how can they fix football if they allow change 😉

  70. colonel mustard says:

    “Kenny Dalglish said after the game that his side should have won, they did enough to win, well he’s wrong. If they had done enough, they would have scored more goals than us, in fact they didn’t manage to score any, their only goal was scored by us. For all their possession and intricate play, they couldn’t manage what counts could they and as much as they may naff him off it’s tough, it’s happened to us on many many occasions.”

    Come on man they battered us…post saved us, Schez saves us…we were blessed to win. thats a fair comment from Daglish. Don’t be redonkulous. Van Persie and Schez saved us. end of. just call it as it is.

  71. rico says:

    Scott, if we are to believe gazidis, we are a club that can attract top players regardless of CL football, but we all know different…

    However, for may footballers it’s about money, wages and how much they can line their pockets, and if players are of that mindset, they won’t join us, and we don’t want that kind of player either….

  72. Goondog says:

    RICO, not particularly. I actually did used to like him. But he’s shown himself to be a cheat. I condemned our god Henry for it against Ireland and I certainly wont refrain from giving it out to Suarez. The game isn’t played in the spirit it used to be.

  73. Scott From Oz says:

    Micko,id be devastated if my son ever did it,or anyone I ever coached.
    Id be pissed off,too.
    We should be teaching kids the right way to play the game.

  74. Billboy says:

    Rico,

    I assume you mean “if they WON’T allow change” and then I will agree absolutely.

    Have to say that Sir Chesney was brilliant yesterday.He will be world number one soon. Hope we keep him.

  75. rico says:

    DG – yes, he was lambasted for his penalty against celtic – that is what donkey should be facing today…

    but no, he’s one of kennys boys, not wengers….

    if that dive had been committed by one of our players, sure as heck we;d be in the news today, big time….

  76. DutchGooner10 says:

    They did use video on that one. Even though at first reluctant cuz what Billboy said, re-referee would undermine authority.

  77. Billboy says:

    DG10,

    Yeah!

    I think donkey has something wrong with his shins. They are so sensitive that a cushion of air squeezed up against them causes him unimaginable pain. What an arse.

  78. rico says:

    No Billboy

    how can they fix football matches if they allow changes?? 😉

    They can fix them at the mo ….

  79. Micko says:

    We get Liam Brady on the box over here most saturday evenings, he reckons it was a penalty, the problem I have is the way suarez was clutching his chin in agony, if there was contact there was barely enough to knock a butterfly over.
    Brady also said Arsenal would have to change their wage structure if they were to have any chance of holding onto RVP this summer.

  80. rico says:

    goondog, just teasing you 😉

    Suarez is a gifted, quality player but even the dipper fans i know don’t like his ways, his racist attitude nor his cheating…

    Maybe Steven Gerrard has been teaching him…..

  81. Scott From Oz says:

    Brady needs new glasses.
    It doesn’t take Einstein to realise what’s required wage wise to keep,RVP.
    He’s hardly on fire,is he???
    A mate of mine is the most one eyed Liverpool fan I know,and even he said it was no penalty.

  82. rico says:

    Brady’s eyes need testing then Micko 😉

    I’m not sure it’s a money thing with RvP, just as much as a pay rise could tempt him to stay, i think a few good signings would equally convince him…

    If it’s about money, which clubs outside the PL could pay him more than we can?

    That Russian one i cant spell, PSG and maybe Real Madrid/Barca…

    Sure as heck he wouldn’t join Citeh or the Chavs…. or any other PL side….

  83. stevepalmer1 says:

    Fair point Scott,
    Rico what i would like to see, is referee’s explaining some of these decisions they make after the game. We all know that once a referee has made a decision he usually sticks by it, but he could be interviewed after he has seen it on screen and explain why he had made a certain decision. Anybody can be wrong but if it is a really important decision and it could be overturned maybe it would make him take a good look in the future .

  84. rico says:

    colonel mustard

    ‘Come on man they battered us…post saved us, Schez saves us…we were blessed to win. thats a fair comment from Daglish. Don’t be redonkulous. Van Persie and Schez saved us. end of. just call it as it is.’

    I did, we won, we scored, they didn’t, that’s what gets points, not hitting the post, going close etc…… I couldn’t care less about how much of the ball they had, they didn’t win!

  85. Billboy says:

    Did anyone else finish watching the game thinking how much funnier it would have been if AOC’s great attempt at the end not bent just outside the post? 1-3 would have been hilarious.

  86. rico says:

    Night Scott….

    I like that idea Steve, managers have a microphone rammed in front of them as soon as the game ends, why should he referee not have to speak too…

    After all, most matches we are involved in, he’s the one who often changed the game, or given a daft decision…

  87. rico says:

    I suspect all of us Billboy, it would have been a perfect ending 😉

    You guys see Balotelli’s penalty shout yesterday, he was mauled over in the pen area, but no penalty…..

  88. Billboy says:

    It seems to me that when we finish up losing after having 70% of possession and miss shedloads of chances it’s seen as a major fault in our make-up. We haven’t spent enough money on strikers or midfielders that can score. But whenever we do a smash and grab then we’re lucky bastards.

    Anyone remember the 2001 cup final?

  89. DutchGooner10 says:

    In the Dutch league it’s already common practice to interview the ref post-match. He’s even allowed to say a decision was wrong. The aftermath of any controversy is handled by Dutch FA.

  90. agirlagunner says:

    Boo!! Good one, rico! And because we admittedly just nicked the three points v. the dippers, I’m sure that was really enjoyable for you!

    Hello, everyone! 🙂 🙂

  91. rico says:

    And the 2005 against the Mancs Billboy, totally battered for 120 mins, they whooped them on pens 😛

  92. DutchGooner10 says:

    Rico that’s what you get when you have a devil on each shoulder. Ballotelli was right though to be frustrated with ignoring the push and pull on him.

  93. Micko says:

    Billboy, Henchoz’s save with his arm on the goal line from Henry’s shot, they were cheating back then as well, nothing changes.

  94. rico says:

    DG, that is what Suarez has in store for him…. reap what you sow i say …..

    Micko, they will always cheat, they do it at the dole office each week too….

  95. agirlagunner says:

    rico, a criticism forever leveled against us is the inability to make our possession count for something. I far prefer the joy of a smash and grab win to the frustration of free flowing football without end product. 🙂 🙂

  96. Micko says:

    Haha rico, Walk on, walk on, with a pen in your hand and you’ll never get a job, you’ll never get a job, walk on.

  97. agirlagunner says:

    Micko, I just read that singsongishly. 😀 Howdy?

    Hi, Dutch. Mustard = yum. 😉 Hello, Billboy and Steve.

  98. rico says:

    exactly agag, that is just my point, they can have all the ball all the play etc etc – but it’s baout who scores more and yesterday we scored all three goals 😉

    how many times have we battered teams and got nothing, no-one gives us any sympathy and i’m not giving those cheating scousers any 😉

  99. EastSidePaul says:

    He’s not White, and he’s not black
    He comes from a place not far from Iraq
    He plays upfront, and he plays in attack
    He’s our mate, Marouane Chamakh
    Na Na Na Na
    Na Na Na Na

    If only he was as good as his chant 🙁

  100. agirlagunner says:

    rico, the win is deserved because those were some sublime goals (and assists). And we had an own goal to overcome, too.

    If Suarez were one of ours, that dive would be occupying pages and pages and pages of print. It’s a shame he dives because his movement is something to watch and learn from.

  101. rico says:

    Just eleven games left in the PL, where has the time gone??

    12 Mon H Newcastle 20:00
    21 Wed A Everton 20:00
    24 Sat H Aston Villa 15:00
    31 Sat A QPR 15:00

    April

    08 Sun H Man City 16:00
    11 Wed A Wolves 19:45
    14 Sat H Wigan 15:00
    21 Sat H Chelsea 12:45
    28 Sat A Stoke City 15:00

    May
    05 Sat H Norwich 12:45
    13 Sun A W.B.A. 15:00

  102. Micko says:

    Hi agag, that’s an old song, it goes back years, as soon as rico mentioned the dole it popped into my head, catch you later, hopefully we’ll all be laughing at spurs.

  103. rico says:

    Totally agree agag, wondergul player, just cheats, same as so many these days…

    the pires tumble against pompey in the invinsible season still haunts us 😉

  104. DutchGooner10 says:

    Off topic*

    Rico I thought you’re joking few days ago. NOT it appears. Engelbert Humpaduck is going to the Euro fest. :S

  105. rico says:

    Nikki B has scored to put Sunderland 1-0 up againsf newcastle, good – need them to win and keep the geordies away from us…

    bugger – 1-1 now….

  106. agirlagunner says:

    Micko, “YNWA” and “My Way” are songs the drunken uncles sing on videoke nights. Haha. Any reason to laugh at the spuddies is welcome. 😀

    That’s such an odd name, Humpersomethingorother, Dutch.

    rico, you have to feel for these Chelsea coaches (NOT!), they have to manage ageing and underperforming prima donnas. 😕

  107. Merlin96 says:

    Latest..Abramovich sacked ABV!!

    De Matteo appointed as interim manager.

    WHo will CHelski meets next week as they will surely win that match due to “New Manager” Syndrome.

  108. rico says:

    😆 DG

    They haven’t many managerial options left now, they have tried most 😉

    Nah, not one bit do i feel sorry for them, perhaps they will try Dennis Wise, he was a Chav hero, just like kenny is 😉

  109. DutchGooner10 says:

    Agag re drunken uncles. 😛

    Tell me; When will you be mine?; tell me quando quando quandoooooooo

    Or Wenger’s version for van Persie.

    Tell me; When will you be mine?; tell me quanta quanta quantaaaaa costa.

  110. Merlin96 says:

    19-March – away to Abu Dhabi CIty
    24-March – home to S*CUMS
    21-April – away to Arsenal
    5-May – away to Liverpool

    If Chelski loses to Abu DHabi CIty and S*CUMS, they are effectively out of Top-4.

    If CHelski beats S*CUMS, then it will be Arsenal who is 3rd by beating CHelski on 21-April.

    Either way, S*CUMS< CHelski and Liverpool are going to drop points.

    Arsenal must remains unbeaten for the next 11 games to retain Top-4 Status and with a good chance to overhaul S*CUMS for 3rd spot.

    If CHelski loses the next league match against Stoke CIty….interim manager got the chop then?.. :mrgreen:

  111. DutchGooner10 says:

    Agag Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey).

    Thanx wiki. I would have sacked my manager if I was Arnold.

  112. Merlin96 says:

    4-March – home to ManU
    10-March – away to Everton
    24-March – away to Chelski

    These 3 matches are crucial to S*CUMS as loses all of them, S*CUMS will slide down the table.

    Chelski vs S*CUMS is really a “do-or-die” in for either team as a draw will only benefit Arsenal and Liverpool.

    Put it this way:
    We got lucky and beat both of our rivals for 4th spot – Chelski earlier, and Liverpool and S*CUMS…as losing is not an option and will effectively rule us out of Top-4 race.

  113. rico says:

    Merlin, we have many tough fixtures but as long as we keep chipping away and stay where we are, anything can yet happen…

  114. DutchGooner10 says:

    Merlin the schedule can really put us in the driver seat. Although we will be walking on eggs ourselves. One loss would wake up the chasers and create nervousness among some in our squad.

  115. stevepalmer1 says:

    Chelski Players happy now they have got their Manager sacked, Red Rom should sack some of them as well whingeing Lampard and he’s mates should be ashamed of themselves.AVB can only do better than that shithole.

  116. Billboy says:

    Now I really feel old. Englebert Humperdinck. I remember hating him and his records (17.5cm vinyl discs with a groove that a stylus sat in as the disc revolved at 45rpm to pick up the vibrations and convert it to sound). What a different world that was. Arsenal were not good in those days but were building a team. My aunt Minnie had a thing for Bertie Mee and thought he would be a good manager. She didn’t like Billy Wright and his showbiz family. LOL.

  117. mog says:

    anybody know what avb pay off will be. i’m sure it’ll be a bit like winning the euro millions. realy feel sorry for him.

  118. DutchGooner10 says:

    Steve I feel the Chavs have created an atmosphere with their stratosphere spending/wages were it’s okay to scrap shame from your dictionary as soon as you belong to their stable. Bar shameless.

  119. rico says:

    no players should have such control steve, roman should have intervened long ago and told them what for….

  120. allezkev says:

    Glory Glory Man Ure
    Glory Glory Man Ure
    Glory Glory Man Ure
    Now Go And Stuff Those Scummers

    Afternoon Gooners.
    Afternoon Rico.
    Well done Sunderland 🙂

  121. Joaquim Moreira says:

    news:
    a) Appointed recently targeted Benfica’s Cristian Tello is also arouse lust in England, where Arsenal and Liverpool are preparing to rub shoulders for the recruitment of Barcelona’s teenage striker B.
    According to some reports in the English press, Arsene Wenger, who has watched the player in recent months, seems determined and wants to step up the competition, offering a good deal to the player of 20 years expiring contract with the Catalan club at the end of this season.
    In Spain, there were also reported on the interest of Valencia and Malaga
    b) It is a story with more than ten years but has only now been revealed. In 2000, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on the verge of moving to Arsenal, but he refused. Reason? Arsene Wenger wanted to train yourself to experience declined and Swedish.
    “Arsene Wenger came to give me a jersey with my number and took a picture with her dressed. It was a fantastic moment for me and that sweater was made for me, “said Ibra, told The Sun
    The problem came later, according to the Swedish international. “Not even there business. I played in Malmo, but Wenger struggled to even have me. He told me the experience to train and show its worth. Not a chance. I do not do auditions, “underlined Ibrahimovic.
    The Swede finally chosen Ajax and from there went to Juventus, Inter, Barcelona and now Milan. “It was the best decision of my life,” said Ibra.
    c) Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in hiring the Spaniard Iñigo Martínez. According to today’s edition of the English newspaper “The Sun”, the two rivals in London, struggling to ensure the hiring of the center, 20, of the Royal Society, which is international under-21 Spanish and is valued at more than 16 million euros.

  122. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I’m watching the 2nd half of Lazio 2 Roma 1.
    Fulham 4 – 0 Wolves. Progreniak is an interesting player.
    In CL move to the next round is always good in financial terms, but also win games (unless one gets, of course).
    As I said yesterday, Ben, Rosicky, etc. can not have the same performance with two games a week. So I understand that the team should not have been the same

  123. rico says:

    Afternoon AK, come on you mancs indeed, we want 7 😛

    Yep, still rough i think, probably the real flu, rather than the man flu 😉

  124. DutchGooner10 says:

    Afternoon JM that’s another ‘could have signed but didn’t ‘ just like Ronaldo and so many others.

    Thank you for the news.

  125. Joaquim Moreira says:

    more nes: Tottenham appears as a new competitor to pass Olivier Giroud, says the “The People” this Sunday.
    The advanced Montpellier has been the leading figure of the championship and this time the table of the French league top scorers with 16 goals.
    The player is on top of preferences Arsene Wenger to strengthen Arsenal next season

  126. devilgunner says:

    Hiya mates. Back again.

    AVB sacked I have heard???? Shit. I wanted him to stay on.

    heard that bendy scored a good goal for Sunderland. Goody for him to help keep newcastle at bay. anyone got a link of the goal???

    Hiya Sir AK. Back home yet????

    Back in a few minutes for the scum from the slum game.

  127. allezkev says:

    Hiya Coach.
    Yep, indoors and just waiting for my dinner….. 😛

    AVB going is bad news.
    Chavs are going to be a bigger threat from now on.
    We simply have to finish above the Scum now!

  128. allezkev says:

    Hiya Dutch.

    Any news on your side re: Vertonghen.
    Don’t like all this linkage to the Slum….

  129. rico says:

    Ibra should shut up imho, he’s had too much to say about Rvp and now himself….

    No DvD or Bale for the yids 😛

    Afternoon devil….

  130. agirlagunner says:

    rico, if that happens, I’d be cow-jumped-over-the-moon happy. 😳 He would move to us in a flash, if we could afford him.

    Go round up your friends and start singing, Dutch.

    Billboy, I remember Menudo. Haha.

    Boo, AK!! Your grandson is at a detox center, I think. 😀

  131. rico says:

    Cracking AK, seriously, do you think he looks or acts like a player who is thinking about turning his back on us??

    I don’t…. Not this summer, or next…

  132. allezkev says:

    Rico… 😛

    Righto, here comes dinner. 🙂

    See yas in a bit Rico,
    and you too Blossom…. 😀

  133. rico says:

    SS’s reported that Chavs wouldn’t replace AVB until the summer, Di Matteo (spelling) will be in charge until the end of the season. I don’t think too much will change 😉

  134. DutchGooner10 says:

    Agag It’s a Engelbert Humpersomething song. Ask your uncles to sing it when they are soaked, you will be cracking yourself. Quando Quando Quandooooooooooooooooo 🙂 😉

  135. agirlagunner says:

    rico, ahhh, so Abramovich isn’t keen to hire another manager only to give him a staggering payout in 3 mos. 😉

    I meant David Villa. 😀 I am kidding. I am kidding.

    Boo, Devil. How are ya?? SAK, have a fantastic dinner. 😉

  136. Joaquim Moreira says:

    MU,M.city, Liverpool, totss,chelaea all of them interesting in James Rodriguez. Why not Arsenal?

  137. agirlagunner says:

    I know that song, Dutch! And the oldies sing that Quandooo song too. Plus, “Skyline Pigeon”. 😆

  138. rico says:

    Seems not agag, why don’t the FFP rules apply to managers, it’s still money spent by clubs and not all can afford such losses that Roman chalks up…

    Its a disgrace……

    Villa, David Villa, – even i don’t want us to sign him anymore 😉

  139. rico says:

    JM, they might be – AW just doesn’t tell anyone until five years after they signed for another club 😉

  140. agirlagunner says:

    Ick. Not another one with Stainy DNA. Eewww, rico. 😉 Can’t stand any player in that team, except Cesc. I dislike them so much, I don’t even rate that Messi. 😎

    It is silly, rico. We’ll find out soon enough if the FFP has any teeth. Man City has spent £950m in three years, right?? That is just all sorts of wrong.

  141. agirlagunner says:

    AK, are you a gin and tonic man?? Interesting article. 🙂 🙂 If left up to me that will have all sorts of pink syrups and fruit juices and stuff. Haha.

    rico, I know!! He looks like he needs five thorough shampooings.

  142. DutchGooner10 says:

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 😛 Thank you Sir.

    Btw Verthongen no news. Everything you hear is sucked outa their thumbs.
    .

  143. rico says:

    You watch the media report how manure were patient and rode the pressure, feck, it’s another smash and grab 😆 😆

  144. allezkev says:

    I’ll tell ya what Dutch.
    There was a lot of rumours linking RVP to Arsenal when he was at Feyenoord.
    Then it went quiet.
    Once the Scum started sniffing around, Arsenal just went in and did the deal.
    So as long as Vert is at Ajax, then i won’t worry too much.
    Nowt will happen until the summer anyway, so let them talk as much as they like….

  145. agirlagunner says:

    The Spuds will collapse soon. 😀 I love it.

    AK, the commentator sounded like he had had too much gin and tonic though. 😀 😀

    Dutch, that’s a good vegetal scent; a very Japanese sensibility. 🙂

    Are the Mancs lucky? Or are the Spuds playing poorly? It’s not broadcast here.

  146. Tlailaxu says:

    Booooooom…what a Homing Rocket from Ashley young…it was destined for that corner…the moment I saw he was left unmarked I said this one is a goal…2se s later it was in the net…=)…poor Harry poor Jamie…Spuddie Bros…

  147. agirlagunner says:

    Ashley Young would’ve been great for us. A bit of a diver though.

    rico, I like that!! Very funny. Yes, JM, he is helping us chase 3rd spot. 😛

  148. agirlagunner says:

    Boo, Tlailaxu and The Devil Himself. 😛

    Ox has been just fantastic. So much promise. Already the fans love him. 🙂 🙂

  149. Tlailaxu says:

    I’m always around just not in much mood for posting comments…the last seven(8) days were great for us arsenal fans…not so sure if I want us to have a real go at CL game though…too many players on brink of injury,let’s give games to younger players and stick with PL for this season…

  150. rico says:

    At least he agreed it wasn’t a penalty DG, i don’t like him either – he’s an ex dipper 😉

    Not yet AK, let Totts get to 6th first 😛

  151. rico says:

    Nighty agag & thanks, i hope so too 🙂

    Adebayor fouled in the penalty area, commentator say’s:

    ‘Adebayor is not appealing’

    Too darn right his not, he’s awful 😉

  152. rico says:

    Nighty AK, i won’t be far behind you tonight, not literally of course 😉

    DG – hes on a sticky wicket with the BBC, i think he’s trying to be a ‘nice guy’ – we know different though eh 😉

  153. rico says:

    I’m off to get dinner so catch up later if anyone is around, if not, nighty night to you all who depart for the day…..

  154. devilgunner says:

    Good night Sir AK.

    The sun is smiling again for us. Hope that we finish 3rd.

    Good night all. Enjoy your dinner Lady of HH.

    Till tomorrow mates.

  155. DutchGooner10 says:

    Happy forking madam.

    I am off for today. Brushing my tongue (comon ManU, go shrek. 😉 ). Lata folks.

  156. devilgunner says:

    Mikel Arteta has spoken of his terror after suffering concussion during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

    The Gunners midfielder was involved in an incident with Jordan Henderson that led to the Spaniard having to be rushed to hospital.

    The 29-year-old left the field to applause from both sets of supporters and admits the injury was a scary one.

    “I have suffered the biggest fear of my life,” Arteta told Radio Marca.

    “I only remember the fall by the blow and nothing after. It was terrifying but now I am better.

    “Sincerely, I do not remember too much apart from the impact. I have heard people applauded me as I left the field and I am grateful for this reception.”

    Just wanted to put all your minds at rest.

    Now really off. Good night everyone.

  157. rico says:

    Ah, you have all gone then and i am following you

    nighty night guys and gals…

    Til tomorrow….

  158. allezkev says:

    If you watch that Arabic version of the Liverpool game, i put up at 5.12pm, on full screen.
    At the end it gives you about 10 other games.
    One of them is the Spurs game.
    I was just larfin my head off at that Arabic commentator.
    Don’t know what he’s saying, but he’s superb…

  159. alan b'stard M P says:

    we really need to play as in the second half against Spurs more often

    They are an inconsistant side

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