Resultβ¦.Clearly. Coming in with only a solitary point from the last nine available, at home against a difficult side, but one that we are nevertheless expected to beat, this had to be about three points. As it was, we celebrated our first win in four league matches, but not without some controversy and frustration along the way.
We should have been ahead on 21 minutes, when Diaby played Arshavin in. Our Russian was too close to Brum keeper Foster, who smothered his shot. Just a couple of minutes later, Nasri picked Squillaci out, who headed in off Fosterβs hands β but the goal was (correctly, in my opinion) disallowed for offside. Then Clichy shot wastefully wide from inside the box.
Did anybody get the feeling that we were going to pay for this?
By this point, I felt it was coming and it duly arrived shortly past the half hour. Ferguson crossed into the box, Zigic beat Djourou way too easily and headed between the post and Fabianski. We were lucky not concede a second when Johnson and Zigic combined, but this time the latter fired over.
The first flash point arrived a few minutes later, as Dann appeared to clip Chamakhβs trailing leg in the box, and the latter went over for a penalty. I wonβt criticize referee Atkinson here, as he had to make the decision in real-time, and I think the player (Chamakh) sold it rather well. When I first saw it, I thought it was a nailed-on penalty; as I saw the replay, I thought hmmmβ¦. I still think contact was made, but I also think Chamakh embellished it β and for that, I am disappointed.
As an Arsenal supporter, I could easily refrain from criticism and say contact was made, but Chamakhβs flop was rather distasteful to me. I will remember this next time we are denied a penalty, and pledge not to argue. Eck and his players were livid, and justifiably so, in my opinion. I am sure many will disagree with me, but I do not like it when we are victimized by these things. In my mind, I cannot have it both ways. Nasri easily tucked the penalty away, and we were level after we probably should have been 2-0 down. Quite naturally, tempers flared, Nasri was booked, presumably for retaliating on Ridgewell, after the latter had fouled him. Chamakh went down from an elbow across his face, but was fine to continue.
I hope Arsene had a real go at the players at the interval, they quite deserved it. It took us just a couple of minutes after the restart to take the lead. Chamakh got free inside the box and fired under Foster into the far corner. We pretty much bossed it after that. Defensively, we were more solid than in the first half, and we looked threatening on numerous occasions. Birmingham huffed and puffed, but did not appear to have the guile to break us down, after going behind.
Nevertheless, they did not give up, and caused us a few anxious moments late in. But we held out for the three points. So the all-important result was secured, but the method was less convincing. I speak of our singular lack of a killer instinct and over-elaboration. Portions of the second half seemed a one-way procession to the Birmingham penalty area, we moved the ball quite well, but once we arrived to the area, we continued moving sideways, and usually lost the ball. I consider this a problem we need to eradicate: if we are going to pass our way to goal, we need to break and move quicker.
There were too many instances where the excellent Diaby led a break towards the Brum area, but had to slow up to wait for support to arrive. This was followed by a series of passes on the edge of the area (or an Arshavin backheel that nobody latched on to), which gave the Brum defenders time to reset, intercept, and clear. When Rosicky came on for Arshavin, he was more direct; he and Nasri took a couple of long-range shots. But for all of our possession, we did not have that many shots on goal. This lack of killer instinct (the βmethodβ I allude to) is something that will continue to undermine us, until our players learn to be more direct and more take the responsibility of shooting on goal. Foster spilled one late Nasri shot from outside the area, but we had nobody close in to clean up.
Arsene was banging the dirty tackles drum earlier this week. That is all well and good, most of us think that reckless, irresponsible challenges need to be stamped out. So I await his comments on Wilshereβs ugly challenge that saw a deserved red. If he tries to defend that, or even decline to comment, then he directly undermines his own efforts in this area. If he is serious about effecting the cultural change that is needed, then I hope he leads this effort through personal example. Eboue also made a bad challenge (for a yellow β watching his reaction of appealing to the linesman, it seemed he thought he would be off). He does not need to kill our players, but acknowledging our own players transgressions β in no uncertain terms β shows that he wants this eradicated across the board, and in the end will protect our players far more than lying or demurring. He can say something to the effect of: βUnfortunately, Wilshere made a very bad challenge late in the match and was deservedly sent off. He is a young player, he must learn from this. As I have criticized rough tackles on my players, I cannot condone when one my players does it to an opponent. Eboue also made a bad challenge earlier in the match. I am disappointed in both players actions, but I expect them both to learn from thisβ. Wilshere was on the receiving end of some rough treatment, so perhaps he had enough β that in no way excuses the tackle he attempted. A straight red means we now lose him for our next three league fixtures, starting with Man City away. Not at all what we needed; Cesc will hopefully be back for that, but we will still be a bit short without Jack.
Diaby, in particular, was outstanding: he broke Birmingham attacks up in the middle of the pitch and started several of ours. He kept the ball extremely well β perhaps too well on some occasions β and was at the heart of most of our best moves. I am not sure he took a shot on target, but he certainly created plenty of chances for his team-mates. Wilshere also had an excellent creative game, but spoiled it with his sending off. Song was better than the past couple of matches, but still committed too many fouls β Atkinson showed plenty of patience with him. Arshavin was poor, his first team place should be under threat but I am not sure if it is. Fabianski was solid again and looks confident and assured out thereο»Ώ,Β of course, we do not know what will happen when he makes the inevitable mistake that all goalkeepers do (stand up, Edwin Van Der Sar) β we can only hope that he will be able to shake it off this time. I also ο»Ώο»Ώthought Djourou could have done better for the goal.
I was pleased to see Nick Bendtner get a run-out. He got involved and nearly got a goal in his first minute, but Foster beat him to a loose ball. From the hour mark onwards, I was hoping Arsene would bring both Bendtner and Theo on, but as we did not get a third goal, I fully understand Arseneβs not wanting to bring two players needing match fitness on together.
Arsene has stated that Wilshere deserved to be sent off. Yes, he did and thanks for not trying to insist otherwise. I may characterize the tackle as with βexcessive forceβ rather than βmistimedβ, but I accept that Jack was not trying to hurt the player. Still, he deserved to go, and I am happy that Arsene did not try to suggest otherwise.
A quick word on Birmingham City β Eck looked pretty pissed off at the end, and I can understand why. Arsenal may well have won the game anyways, but Chamakh sold minimal contact and that moment clearly changed the game. Despite all our possession, if Brum had found an equalizer, I would not have begrudged them. They defended well and caused us problems, and looked much, much better than the side that allowed Everton to turn them over right before the international break. The much-maligned Ben Foster had a good game in their goal. If they continue to play like this, they will get that elusive league road win sooner rather than later.
I was absolutely appalled by Trevor Francisβ biased, borderline xenophobic commentary. I assume that UK viewers had to put up with him as well; it has been a long, long time since I heard such nasty, vindictive, overly biased commentary. He was a flat-out disgrace: he kept banging on about cheating Arsenal, blithely glossed over Johnsonβs elbow in Chamakhβs face and Bowyerβs nasty challenge on Wilshere, and suggested that the winning goal was Atkinsonβs fault because Carr was βworried about a penaltyβ if he committed to challenging Chamakh. I get that he is a former Brum player and manager, but he is well compensated to provide objective match commentary. He failed spectacularly today, and perhaps should no longer work games involving Birmingham City in the future. His pro-Birmingham City bias β some would also say an element of anti-Arsenal/anti-foreigner β was clear for all to hear and ruined the telecast.
Bottom line? A needed three points β but we must do better, we shanβt always come away with points playing like this.
Written by Oliver
I just want to add a comment about Jacks horrid tackle, yes it was bad and he got what he deserved but what about the studs up stamp on Chamakh in the first half by Carr? Didn’t hear old exΒ Brummie Francis say too much about that one did we??
Morning all…
Trevor Francis is an absolute idit, to accuse Chamakh of cheating while commentating is dreadful, to suggest that Jack’s tackle should now put to bed the Eduardo injury is a disgrace. To suggest Chamakh feigned injury after being elbowed in the face is just shocking, to say Carr’s studs up stamp on Chamakhs ankle was misfortunate and finally to sugest that Chamakhs goal was scored as the Brum defence were afraid he might not stay on his feet…..
Beggars belief!!
Sorry, Thank you for your report oliver, its a great read and i share your concerns….
You deluded halfwits have been brain washed by Wenger. Your disciplinary record is one of the worst in the league so far. Thats now three red cards and your manager has the cheek to moan about the conduct on the pitch of other teams. Diving is much more of a worrying issue than mis-timed challenging, but Mr Whinger won’t bring up that issue because it doesn’t help Arsenal’s cause in anyway and lets face it, with the best part of a decade without a trophy now, you need all the hope you can get, lol!
Enjoyable post but i disagree on one point and i think you are pandering to the media biased view of arsenal. The penealty was stone wall, i dont understand what you mean when writing he went down too easily is there an opposite to went down too easily ? And what about dann trying to play a ball that wasnt there and clipped chamakh in the box ? I’d go down too, cause irrespective of what we say or think football is not a matter of conscience, saying you dont like seeing players go down too easily is rubbish in my opinion cause whether its arsenal or others teams it will happen and its up to the referee to decide.
Paul, diving doesn’t break legs!!!
Jack deserved his red card we all accept that and i’m very pleased that your player wasn’t injured. Chamakh, yes it was an generous penalty… i don’t get why you are having a pop, no-one is suggesting that jacks tackle was a good one and no-one is suggesting the penalty wasn’t soft…
Paul is a twat people go on about arsenals disciplinary record but can anyone honestly tell me how many limbs have been decapitated with those red cards ? fair enough wilshere sending off is correct but kosiencly and songs sending off beggars belief. It is amazing how every opposite football fan is hoodwinked by the media into jumping on the bandwagon of arsenals red card record hiding behind the lie that it is okay to be reckless in the tackle just like wilshere was which cannot be condoned
Like it or not, this wouldn’t be an issue had your manager not been preaching for months how bad the tackling is by certain teams and their players. It was a bad challenge that happens, its football, mistakes happen. Diving is out and out cheating and needs to be delt with alot more harshly. It used to be just a foreign thing but is now basically accepted in the English game.
victor..
there is a huge difference between getting second yellows and straight red cards, you know that as do i and so does paul, songs was for silly clumbsy offences, and Kos card was an absolute disgrace…
jacks was a bad one, we all know that and he will pay the price but no-one has been hurt this time thankfully…
what about Carrs on chamakh?? What about the lbow on Chamakh??
Actually Paul, this wouldn’t have been an issue if your fella hadn’t put Eduardo out of the game!! That’s what started all this and the thugs in football now perform the bad tackles week in week out. Thei is the first bad one from Jack, no doubt it will be the last too….
Just because the lads leg wasn’t broken doesn’t make the challenge any more acceptable. Had the players leg been carrying more of his weight or been at a different angle, then theres no doubt we would be looking at a broken leg. Wilshere went in hard with studs raised, the outcome is irrelevent!
Arsenal = diving cheats
Wenger = hypocrite
I had 11 Americans who know nothing about football and showed them the Wilshire tackle and the Shawcross tackle and 100% ageed Wilshire tackle looked more planned, and viscious. In fact, almost all said Shawcross looked like an accident. Yet, Gunner losers went on and on about it. And here, this tackle was way worse – watch them both and I dare anyone HONEST to say otherwise.
But since Wenger lies, I guess his fans think that is okay, and are probably of the same ilk. (Please note their is still no video footage of Shawcross kicking the Tottenham goalie – so in other worse WENGER LIED!)
In fact , their should have been two reds handed out in this game with Eboue makeing a visciosu tackle and cliepping the players legs.
Will someone tell Wenger, this is football, not rugby. Maybe Murphy is right, and Wenger pumps his players up to cheat and foul. I guess 5 years of losing has him back to being the red card leader. In fact, where were the Arsenal fans complaining about fair play back then??? Maybe like Wenger they got dust in their eye and just happened to miss all those fouls.
MU!
You could see the intent in Carr’s eye as he tackled the Fm .I believe he was going for the guy’s leg.
Btw Wenger has asked for a meeting with managers and refs about the thugs. I need say no more. A thug who has broken the leg of another footballer intentionally or unintentionally is still a thug and must be severely punished.He should be banned until the injured player returns to action and his club docked ten points.
I feel these measures though extreme are justified. I can give 200% repeat 200 % guarantee that such incidents of broken legs will be very rare.But it won’t happen in a million years while the old farts in the FA and FIFa are still in office.
Paul, I am not saying it makes it any less, I am not defending jack, I don’t know why you think i am!!
No-one wants to see horrid tackles and injuries….
Go check Carrs again on Chamakh Paul….!!
Listen to yourself paul it used to be a foreign thing, here in good old blighty we are honest custodians of the game. Diving will never be eradicated from the game just like mistimed tackles cant be banished. the only answer is to bring in retrospective videos to punish both offences but by then the damage has already been done. How many english players dive but nothings done about it but you remember very well the fanfare that greeted eduardo against celtic. Hypocrites you all are even when you come out and say it was a dive inwardly i quarantee most of us dont care as long as its in our favour
Hi sam, i agree with that line of banning too, Ginola said the same thing a couple of days ago…
I just don’t agree with you at all.
The challenge on Chamakh was a stonewall penalty and a situation where every decent forward in the world would fall.
Wilshere tackle was bad but let’s put things in perspective. Zigic got exactly what he deserved after fecking around with the Arsenal players all game. He should have been sent off for the shoulder charge in Wilshere’s face. That was ugly and he meant it! I enjoyed Eboue’s challenge because that c*** Ridgewell did the same to Theo last year and put him out for a few weeks. It’s about time we start giving it back to these Northern softies!
In a way I am defending him, what I am saying is that Wenger is wrong with the comments he has been making recently. The only reason Arsenal have received more mis-timed challenges is because of their style of play which is pocession football. Wenger has no right dictating to the rest of the premiership how to play. He is constantly bringing up hard tackling as a massive issue because stamping it out would benefit his team most. Like I said, diving is more of an issue.
Both are an issue for me Paul, I didn’t like seeing Chamakh going over so easy, i don’t think many Arsenal fans will…
I would have been more pleased to hear Wenger, in his post match i/v, ‘yes it was a bad tackle and i don’t condone them, he desrved the red card and i will be having a word in his ear’… wll something like that…
i am in support of wengers comments about the horror tackles though, there is no place in the game … so would you had you if B’ham had been the victim of so many…
Victor listen to yourself! Notice I used the words “used too be” in regards to foreign and diving. Yes Englishmen are now doing this and have been for years which is something I cannot stand. Don’t try turning this into a nationalist or racist thing! Fact is Arsenal are more guilty of this than most, which is why Wenger won’t even mention it!
Paul has completely missed the point of the tackling debate.
AW expects his players to train those bad tackles out of their game. Other managers see them as a legitimate tactic. How can ending a players career be equated to getting a soft penalty.
Hi Oskar, please mind the ‘c’ word, it sends you into spam and many ladies blog here too, thanks…
Paul, that’s the point! Wilshere did go in hard with studs up and was correctly sent off, so for the outcome being irrelevent what more do you want? Did you actually want Wilshere to break his leg to make the sending off ‘worthwhile’ and make Wenger appear to be a hypocrite? You can’t have it both ways. In the current climate, players rightly get sent off for these tackles and Wenger and Wilshere have both accepted the decision. If you want to have a go at anyone, look at the FA as they have the power to influence the game more than any manager, player or fan, but are unwilling to do so.
Noboby likes seeing legs broken, however I would hate to see players pulling out of tackles and teams playing the same style of football. The different styles of play is one of the things that makes the EPL the best.
Morning good people I see the talking points of yesterdays game are still burning my view is Chamaka went down easily and Contact was present Rooney did it to us last season and we were called names for complaining now that it has happened to us it make us cheater mmmmh double standards and Jacks tackle was bad and he got punished end of story
To Paul Dont get on your high horse brother about nationalistic or racism, i have no such thoughts. I stand corrected with regards to “used to be”.
Morning BB and Erick…
Erick, we are often ‘done’ by soft penalties, and how many times has Theo stayed on his feet in the area only to be denied, maybe Karma came out yesterday…
Mark, good comment and no-one wants legs broken ‘just to prove’ a bad tackle was bad…
When a young boxer goes into the ring he knows he risks braindamage, etc. When a young footballer goes onto the field he risks breaking a leg, thats football and always will be. Its a gamble that goes with the profession, they aren’t accountants! Wenger probably told his team before the game that they’d be in for a battle and to be more physical, is that g’ing them up for mis-timed tackles? no! Did it happen? yes! thats football! and the only one trying to change it is Wenger!
Evening rico
I tend to agree somewhat with oskar. I’m of the opinion that moaning about the treatment to Arsenal players gets Arsenal no where. Revenge is sweeter π Jacky has sent out a message to all clubs that he is a tough little nut who is capable of anything. So steer clear of him or you may get on the wrong end of his temper.
Paul you want our player to be maimed and Aw to just be silent about it thats his job and by the way the media are the ones that ask the questions so your issues should be with the media
I was beginning to think I was the only one who noticed Carr’s “tackle”. Over the top with a stamping element too. Ignored because of Jack’s moment of exasperation.
Oskar and G9 π π π π π
Here we go again. As soon as an arsenal player commits a bad foul it comes to this.
Exactly the same when Eduardo fell over against Celtic. He should have put up against a wall and shot for crimes to humanity!!
Jacks challenge was rash and totally wrong, there is no place for it. But after 3 compound fractures in as many seasons why is it suddenly arsenal that are being treated like they’re Nazis?
The mind boggles.
Regarding the penalty incident i recall a couple of seasons ago at birmingham clichy “gave away” a penalty that clearly never was in which Birmingham equalised so what comes around goes around. Im sure the manager wasnt moaning then about diving and players going to ground easily.
who is the paul idiot do you have any chromosomes. no one anywhere has said that it shouldn’t of been a sending off and it should’ve been penalty. off course it was a sending off and off course it wasnt a penalty. Peel your eyelids back and actually read what people are saying you dumbass
Hi GG, good to see you here again π
Liam Brady said similar a few days ago gg, jack has a bite to his game, every time he plays he is the target for the tackles, the rough and tough stuff. Brady says he reacts, well yesterday he did and to be fair i’m surprised it took so long. I don’t condone it but if refs were a little bit more acurate it may not have come to that…
adam, it was a red card tackle and francis totally dismissed it… they should have been down to ten before the penalty…
Hi Rocastle, but didn’t you just know that the whole newspaper world, sky sports etc were just waiting for this to shove it back at arsene….
like you say, bad tackle, red card, what more is there to be said really π
Morning Guys,
I read Ted’s nonsense 10:21 and (a) fell about laughing at his cretinous comment; (b) then felt guilty at laughing at a poor demented Brum fan; then laughed again at the idea that he asked the opinion of 11 innocent Americans, that he had presumably picked up, “which was worse, 6′ 4″ Taylor’s tackle that smashed the leg of 5′ 5″ Dudu into 3 separate pieces, or 5′ 5″ Jacks tackle on 6′ 7” Zigic, that caused him momentary discomfort? Duh, the little guy on the big, obviously.
Was Ted implying that all American’s are thick? If so I would like to meet the prat and discuss his stupid theory!
donkatron, i remember that one, the game that ruined our season…. wasn’t it the same game that dudu got assaulted??
Ben, spot on, we are all saying the pen was soft and the tackle deserved a red card… but keep it friendly π
Morning RA, there are some comments i just can’t be bothered to reply to, that 10:21 one was one π
Paul- A couple of poor tackles which don’t leave either of the the recipients injured does not justify your moronic tirade. Get a sense of proportion cretin. We are talking about 3 broken legs- and 2 smashed careers. Jack deserved to go because it was over the top-but Birmingham as ever put it about and never got punished as this blog states.
This blog is spot on- Francis and his sycophantic commentary mate were a disgrace on Fox soccer- an absolute biased Arsenal hating disgrace throughout.
I also agree with Victor- it was an obvious penalty in real time- not even a maybe. The other issue is that Jack was outstanding throughout- outstanding apart from one tackle at the end- he’s got to be one of the best talents at 18 this country has ever had.
Rico and RA
Morning Oliver,
A great in depth analysis, and very even handed in your comments. Classy, as usual! π
Disappointed that the Rangers pretty much stuffed us last night. Hope we can bounce back on Monday! π
Morning folks,
RA… I must admit I laughed at that Ted comment too… ‘I had eleven Americans…’ What’s his second name… Bundy? π
As for Paul… I think if the Brummies are looking for absolution re;Taylor, they should go and talk to a priest. π
Good lively one this morning…
Jack; did he need sending off…? absolutely, and he’s let us all down, but to compare it to Eduardo and Ramsey is sheer nonsense.
As for the so-called soft-tackle; if soft is a euphemism for incorrect decision I disagree. He was clipped. Did he exaggerate the fall… only Chama can tell you that.
hi goonergerry, i am not sure if the ref gave it for the clip or the obstruction, i’ve watched it no end of times and i still can’t see chamakh is clipped, however, what is clear is that befor the defender looked to make the tackle, chamakh was already going over, i think its the gentle push on him that gets it…
Morning Rico,
another wonderful SUNNY day in majestic North Cornwall…RA take note π
Morning mike, sun’s shining again :)i thought jack was awesome until the tackle, would have been everyones motm until his red card…
spooky mike π
Mike B Chama in swahili means Society so are you calling Chamaka a society π RA you write like a real scholar ha ha ha
Hi Erick, π
Every Arsenal fan watching the game was fidgeting in their seats.
Pass across the pitch around the penalty area, then pass back the other way, and then …..
It just doesn’t seem to change. A bit more direct play from us and we could have won by 5 goals.
Oliver already mentioned Trevor Francis’ appalling commentary. Francis cannot help having a limited intellect, but his bosses must get rid of him. His one eyed, biased comments were an absolute discrace.
Hi Rico,
yesterday was all part of the learning process I guess… but he’s made a couple of ‘youthful’ errors recently, both on and off the pitch… It’s up to Wenger and co to calm the over-exuberance and still keep the passion and flair. He’s a smart kid; he’ll learn. I think he’s goona be something really special
Rico Jack was the man of the match in my book even despite the Red he was awesome
Morning Erick,
and thanks for the lesson in Swahili… After yesterday I gues The Self-preservation Society wouldn’t be a million miles off π
RA, did you go yesterday??
Diaby showed yesterday why fans are divided about him, he broke at speed and with purpose but, at the critical time he couldn’t find a killer pass forward. He stood still and then passed backwards and stopped our attack, if he sorts that out in his game we will see a very good player….
mike, i wrote earlier about Brady’s view on jack, yesterday he slipped back to his ‘old ways’ but you are right of course, now it’s in wengers hands and sadly his man mangement skills have not always be his strong point….
Morning MikeB,
I’m really worried about global warming now. Sunny? In Cornwall? That’s uncanny! π
Of course it has been sunny in the South East since last May! π
Erick, when you complete your studies and internship, YOU will be a great scholar! π
Erick, in my heart he was for me too, but don’t tell anyone π
Thanx rico
Can’t wait to see Little Jacky put a bulge in the old onion bag. He is fast becoming must see TV for me.
Howdy Red Arse
Rico,
I managed to wangle a ticket from a friend, who could not go. I met his friend at the ground, (I did not know him), saw the game and then straight back. (Left 10 mins early, so did not see Jacks attack, sorry tackle, live.) π
Hi GG9,
Great to see you around. I have missed your down to earth, succinct take on all matters Arsenal. π
Folks,
flying visit today, I’m afraid..
Gotta get out and soak up some more rays… God this weather’s just beautiful π
Talk tomorrow… have a good one and fingers crossed for Blackpool
gg π
just hope he copes with this ok, knowing him though he’ll come back even more determined, he’s certainly no push over…
RA, leaving tem minutes early is such a sin π π
See you tomorrow MikeB.
By the way, that is not a beautiful brown sun tan you’ve got, you old rust bucket. π π
catch you soon mike, i’m off to enjoy the sunshine shortly too, mind you, its chilly π
Mike B π RA am following in your foot steps Rico shhh no a word π
π Erick…
Morning all.i can see there has been a war in here but we still won.the mancs let a 2 goal lead slip for the 3rd time this season.barca have announced losses of β¬79 mil and debt of β¬450 mil…
Morning KT, not so much a war π
chavs drew 0-0 too so we go into second place …
I have to pop out for a while, back in a couple of hours…
I ignore Francis in the same way I ignore Andy Townsend. Just because they are ex-players doesn’t necessarily make them objective or even good analysts of the game.
Jack committed a very bad tackle, but we have seen many worse than that (ahem, Karl Henry). He will get a three-match ban. And I’m glad Zigic wasn’t badly hurt – no player deserves the kind of misfortune suffered by the likes of Eduardo or Ben Arfa.
Personally, I thought Chamakh was better than a seven, notwithstanding his dubious tumble for the penalty. His workrate is prodigious, he leads the line well and his goal was sublime. I know I say this every week, but it’s easy to forget he has been in English football for less than two months – even Bergkamp, Henry and Pires needed a while to acclimatise to the Premier League, but Chamakh has slotted right in as if he has always been here. Superb.
http://thearmchairsportsfan.com/2010/10/16/chamakhs-dubious-dive-and-dancing-dribble-down-dour-brum/
morning all. thanks rico, for defending our corner against the brummies and stokie who decided to show up this morning. nobody – not even arsene – is defending jack’s tackle, quite the opposite. it was a straight red, he deserved to go, and Zgic was thankfully not seriously injured. let me add that i was not impressed with eboue’s tackle at about the 75 minute mark either – that was also very reckless, and i would not have complained if atkinson had saw fit to send him off as well.
i can see that plenty are defending the chamakh penalty incident as stonewall – as you see it. i see it a bit diffferently: any contact in the box was slight, and chamakh clearly went over, vice being brought down. i will not argue that any contact in the box usually means a penalty, and i think there was contact. however, this still leaves a bad taste with me, as i think chamakh’s intent was to, if not deceive, at least exaggerate. when rooney hits the deck under similar encouragement at old trafford in a couple of weeks time, will you be ok with penalty decision as well? i won’t – and that is why i refuse to condone chamakh’s actions yesterday. and i have every sympathy for eck on this, as i know how it feels – arsenal have had more than their share of instances where they have been victimized like this. as i said when compiling this report yesterday, i won’t have it both ways.
many will still see this as an obvious and justified penalty, which i have no problem with – we see this through different perspectives and motivations. my motivation is not to “pander” to anyone, but to be objective as i can and not look the other way when one of our players does something i have been very frustrated at when other team do (it) to us.
ra, yanks may be in a bit of trouble here. they should have lost friday, and the fact that texas came back and won handily yesterday shows they were able to shake the late collapse off. even winning friday, cc was knocked around and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. roll on monday in the bronx – yanks will see (gulp) cliff lee. at least pettite, who has tremendous experience in these situations, will get the ball for them.
big blue kick off in five hours at the meadowlands. just take care of business, guys…
Jack wilshere is just a joy to watch.no wonder MOTD restrained from tearing the lad a new one.i think he is a carbon copy of Andreas Iniesta lujan who is a Ballon d’or contender.if he keeps his temper in check he’ll win it in the near future.
‘morning k. i was encouraged by jack’s comments – he sounded quite contrite and seemed to fully understand what he had done. not only making a challenge that could have seriously injured a fellow professional, but also understanding that his actions will now leave the squad short-handed for a series of crucial domestic fixtures.
Oliver lets hope this ban gives him a reality check.let him cut out that part of his game or else he’ll end up with a dark side like Paul scholes.
Everton have just scored through cahill…
good for the toffees. i think jack will learn – if he does not, i do not think he will be at arsenal that long…but he seems to understand what he did, and how it is going to hurt the club as a whole over the next couple of weeks.
Oliver it is a shame that he was developing so well giving MOTM perfomances week in week out but i think he’ll learn.we are not playing well but we are 2nd.we can add a few notches with cesc,rvp,theo and rosicky.when we are playing at our best teams like b’ham will get battered.
Howdy Oliver and KT Jack will be a better player from all this
All this rooney bust up rumours must have some meat to them surely?…Rooney contradicted his own boss regarding his injury and also refusing to extend his contract.things aren’t looking good up North…
On the bright side he will get the needed Rest he has been playing alot Denilson has a chance to show what he’s got he has started the Season well Theo and Cesc as KT put it will up our game especialy at Citeh
Howdy erick.i am almost feeling sorry for pool as they are poo right now.they hade done absolutely nothing in the first half.
KT the Mancs will be in trouble π π
What do you think is wrong with pool KT Alonso and Mascherano go and they are staring at relegation even If Cesc and AA went or Diaby we would still be up there is it a mental issue?
Γzil was class again last night.i would’ve loved us to sign him but we’ve got wilshere now.
Erick pool have some very average players.players like lucas,poulsen,konschesky… must be pinching themselves wondering how lucky they are to play for a club of such a stature.
Arteta has added a second.
Pool have a possession of 20%!…
oliver, fantastic write. π Insightful as always. I though Chamakh could’ve stayed on his feet, but there was contact, and a pen was awarded, why should I complain? Dubious calls have been made in favor of the opposition and against us a fair few times.
I was horrified by the commentary. Each declaration was exceeded in bias and stupidity only by the next. That creature, whoever he may be should never be allowed to commentate. Ever.
Liverpool are so pathetic. No one’s trying hard enough.
Hola, Erick and KT and rico.
Hola agag.l’pool are in deep deep trouble…
Afternoon everyone, what a great weekend, the chavs drop points, manure drop points, we pick up three points and torres has another stinker as the dippers drop into second from bottom – the only thing missing was a loss for the tiny totts π
All we need now is for Holloway’s boys to beat the northern chavs π
KT, no one in that team seems to care that they’re playing at standards lower even than poo-r. Someone should sort them out. Their fans deserve better.
Howdy agag, i don’t want them sorted out, i want to see them in the Championship π
Seems all quiet so i’ll be back in a bit….
There is that, rico. π I really don’t care either. But who can afford Torres? Just the moneybags Mancs. π
We can agag π
Championship players are cheaper π
Lol, rico. Oh would that we could afford him. Certainly, we need a good keeper more, but that said… I really still want Torres. π
Anyone watching the blackpool game?
Agag you and torres sitting on a tree…rico villa had a stinker last night vs his old club but they still won.
Oh, I like that, KT. I’m too lazy to turn on the telly. How’s Blackpool doing? I saw bits of the Liverpoo match. pathetic.
Imagine if we had signed Villa…
Agag b’pool are playing well but there are few clear cut chances.
Rico expect my CL post tomorrow afternoon.
I hope Holloway does us a favor… π
Nil nil at HT.
Sorry guys and gals, had to pop off π
Villa had a stinker KT, that’s because he’s in the wrong team π
What happens when agag and torres sit in a tree π
agag, i would love reina and Torres, we’d be pretty complete then as long as we got a DH and CH aswell…
Look forward to the post KT, just hope my friends who return of tuesday want to watch the game, otherwise i’ll be off to the local pub ….
B’pool have just missed a seater!
City one nil up against the run of play.Tevez.
That’s funny KT, was is a 32 one π π
City 2-1 ahead.tevez again.
Oh I know, rico. I’d sing it, too… π³
Shame, they missed that shot on open goal.
Bollocks we go third we have to beat city to go 2 we have to be ruthless
π agag, i think you are smitten….
Agag howdy π you well
Silva has made a fool of b’pool defense by himself to score the third.
Erick, that must be the first time i have seen you use naughty language π π
I’m okay, Weeds. Howdy? I agree with your earlier on Denilson. He’s likely to get a run now, with a number of players still out.
Irreversibly so, rico. Cesc is still my favorite though. It’s the puppy dog eyes. π
3-2 win for city.
Now, I thought it was Robin agag π
If B’pool can get 2 KT, so can we….
Rico i hope Aw watched the game.the only way to break them down is through quick and direct passes which kompany and Boateng struggled with.slow build up play will not work unless we are ahead.clichy should be on form because johnson is very good in one on one sitiuations.
Shame. π We absolutely have to beat them next week.
Boateng was getting skinned for fun.he even got injured as he was getting beaten all the time.
Nightnight, rico, KT, Weeds. π Clichy will be fine. π Oh, and here I thought you were the one checking out RvP10’s thighs. π
Next weekend i expect Mancini to use Catennacio tactics like Ancelotti did.they’ll stay deep hoping to counter us.in such a sitiuation we need to score first to encourage them to open up.
I hope Tevez is tired from today’s exertions… Although I guess with our CL game, we’re more likely to be, KT.
We’ll beat them, trust me … π
I’m off too all, catch up tomorrow, stay safe
nighty night π
KT, he’ss be watching – just hope he’s learning π
oliver, if you pop on, thank you again for todays post, and it was my pleasure to defend your corner π
Morning, new post up