Morning all.
Well that was fun to watch wasn’t it? Seeing all the old boys turn out in red and white again was great. Most carried a few extra pounds, especially Marc Overmars, yet the footballing skills have clearly remained. The pace in their legs has left them but regardless, The Emirates crowd were truly entertained.
A full house it was too by the looks of it and watching Bobby and Freddie link up again to score one of the goals brought sadness and happiness at the same time. Sad because we’ve never seen such a great pairing since, happiness knowing just how privileged we Arsenal fans were to have seen them play in their prime.
Not just those two either, Petit, Gilberto, Kanu…. The list is endless and let’s not forget the Englishmen either, and the fans so loved seeing Martin Keown leave the bench and get on the pitch…. Happy memories eh..
The one thing I’ll not forget though was the camera and microphone turning to Lee Dixon. He couldn’t play as he was injured but he was very quick to tell the media that despite not starting the match, Martin Keown was still telling Arsene Wenger how his team should be playing..
Who doesn’t love Martin Keown eh? I know I do… And I still think Arsene Wenger missed a trick by not keeping him involved with the club after our best ever challenge in the Champions League back in 2006. He’s Arsenal, he suffers no fools and who will ever forget that game against Man Utd when he, Ralph and a few others let Ruud van Nistelrooy know exactly what they thought of him and his cheating ways…. No, me neither.
I miss that these days, the togetherness, the kind of ‘three musketeers’ attitude from more than just three, the slick football, the brick wall which was the defence and a manager who was head and shoulders above others in the league. Yes, even Fergie for a while.
Another Kanu hat-trick witnessed and I bet like me, the first thing which popped into your head was the three goals he scored against Chelsea back in 1999. 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge and looking like we were heading for a loss but Kanu and his mates had different ideas. Three super goals, the last of which was simply incredible, earned Arsenal all three points…
Nowadays, we can’t even get a point in West London. How things have changed eh………..
Anyway, great fun for all involved yesterday and seeing Arsene Wenger smiling from ear to ear for a change brought back good memories…
But whilst all that was going on, something which could be big in football was unravelling. Finally, and it’s been a long time coming, one man had the courage to speak out about the PGMOL and that man was Mark Halsey, a retired Premier League referee.
I believe I’m right in saying that this all came out on Twitter after it was revealed Manchester City were planning to appeal the three match retrospective ban given to Sergio Aguero which to me was a surprise as it was so clear for all to see. Well, apart from the referee of course who clearly missed the incident entirely otherwise he’d have branded a red card at the time. Man City will apparently try and claim that Andre Marriner did see the incident and didn’t feel any action was required.
“I have been in that situation,” Mark Halsey wrote on Twitter, “when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven’t seen it.”
“To be fair to the FA… it’s not them. “It comes from within the PGMOL.”
I have a feeling this won’t go away quietly, regardless of the PGMOL denials….
Morning Rico and all. If Riley and his partners in crime are denying it then that must mean that Halsey is a liar and making it up.
Or, a more likely scenario is that this is the cusp of a scandal where The PGMOL has been actively involved in trying to influence match results. In general parlance this is known as match fixing. Most of us have bought it up in the past. I suspect that Halsey is being spoken to right now by one of those with his fingers in the till who will be trying to get him to withdraw or soften his claims.
Morning rico, this could open a can of worms! Missed the game, was it on TV or just Arsenal player?
Guys, pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is the PGMOL?
Morning all, and though I only saw highlights, seeing the legends strutting their stuff was told.
Morning Adam, Andrew and all.
The match was on television, certainly worth catching up on Andrew..
Adam, I can’t see Halsey lying over this, I think he’s telling the truth. What we ned to see now is a proper investigation and one which see’s the end of Riley and his cronies.
I see Gary Neville has joined in the debate so his profile might just help push things along…
This isn’t going to go away quickly is it?
It’s Riley and his lot Scott, the ones who choose the referee’s for the PL matches….
Is it a nickname, Rico, or an offical abbreviation?
Official Scott. Although they do get called plenty of other things… 😉
Lol.
Thanks Rico.
Morning all !
Scott………………………………………………Professional Game Match Officials Limited
Thanks LC.
https://twitter.com/search?q=mark+halsey&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch
Catch you later gys, off sightseeing… 😉
Buongiorno Lovelies and Hunkies.
Great match report Rico. I loved seeing the second half…missed the first. It was truly enjoyable…especially seeing Gilberto and Petit run the midfield plus Bobby and Freddie linking up once more.
Mark Halsey has confirmed what I have been saying all along…..the EPL was and still is bent. It was fixed….so that one team will benefit.
The body in charge of Premier League refereeing has denied claims made by the former match official Mark Halsey that he was put under pressure to say he had not seen controversial incidents take place in matches.
The 55-year-old, who retired at the end of the 2012-13 season, made the comments on social media, following the Football Association’s decision to hand the Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero a three-match ban for violent conduct following an incident in which the striker appeared to elbow West Ham’s Winston Reid.
Sergio Agüero to miss Manchester derby after receiving three-match ban
Read more
Agüero was not reprimanded by the referee, Andre Marriner, during the game, although the striker was charged retrospectively and will now miss the Manchester derby on Saturday. City had appealed against the ban on the grounds that Marriner was close enough to the incident to adjudge whether action against Agüero was warranted at the time.
Only in circumstances where a referee has not seen a bookable offence can retrospective action be taken against a player.
In his post-match report, Marriner said he had not seen the incident, therefore permitting the subsequent video review that brought about Agüero’s three-match ban. Had Marriner seen the incident then such action could not have been taken.
“I have been in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven’t seen it,” said Halsey on Twitter, adding: “To be fair to the FA … it comes from within the PGMOL” – a reference to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
Gary Neville, the former England and Manchester United defender, was among those immediately alarmed by the comments, responding: “Is that not corrupt?”
Rejecting Halsey’s allegation, the PGMOL said: “Match officials submit their reports, including critical incidents, directly to the FA. Match officials ensure that their reports are a full and accurate description of the incident. There is no pressure from the PGMOL to include or omit anything.”
The PGMOL was formed in 2001 to improve refereeing standards and provides officials for across the Premier League, Football League and FA competitions, receiving funding from all three bodies.
For those who missed the match I have put extended highlights on the previous post.
In a perverse way I was saddened by loving seeing the guys who played for us in that era. Wouldn’t it be nice to see that again. We still play that way to an extent but need two or three more gifted players to achieve that end,
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Sorry I missed the match. It sounds like it was a great game. However, I can still clearly recall Martin ‘The Rash’ Keown giving Ruud Van NastyBoy a piece of his mind, no doubt in plain unvarnished industrial language.
Ruud was a great player. It is a shame that he is an arrogant cheating piece of excrement.
As for the recent revelations from Mark Halsey, I’m surprised that they are getting such wide coverage in the commercial press. They are even more circumspect about criticizing the PGMOL than they are the royal family. Could we yet have a scandal on the scale of that of the match officials in Italy?
The PGMOL are as open and transparent as the former East German secret police, the STASI.
Thanks Kelsey, going to watch that.
http://www.express.co.uk/pictures/sport/7657/Premier-League-clubs-net-spend-2016-17-ranked-sportgalleries/John-Stones-162435
Hi all. Its been obvious for years that there has been dodgy stuff going on. The stuff the Mancs got away with during Taggart”s reign was ridiculous culminating in the end of our unbeaten run at the hands of Old Mother Riley. The most corrupt football match ever played in this country.
According to that link…………….£84.7M net spend !.
Just wonering though whether our wages are any different as we lost Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky who I take dont come into the “sold” bracket, are their wages saved are as much to cover the new additions ?…………………over to you kelsey ! 🙂
The refs are probably given the same advice as the cricket umpires are given, “if in doubt, not out.” For the refs it would read, “if in doubt leave it out,” (of your match report, that is.)
In many ways that is fair advice, if the ref is not sure what he saw it would be far better for him to take no action at all. If the offending player is booked, the incident is deemed to have been dealt with, so no further action, which more often than not, in retrospect may seem to be ‘getting let off lightly’ an even worse indictment of the referee’s inept punishment, whereas if it is ‘missed’ and the crime is dealt with after the event the fouls such as Aguero’s, out of character though it was, has been dealt with legitimately and justice has been done.
However, if and when video technology is introduced, in order to ‘help, the referees with ‘unseen’ incidents, the whole issue will be dealt with by the video ref and any dodgy decisions will be obviated! But of course the PGMOL will not let any third party interfere with the on field refs power and authority. In this day and age their ostrich like stance seems to me Victorian in its deliberate retention of the ‘old ways’. Time for them to embrace the advances that the 21st century has provided for them.
I could go on………But……….
Most probably Cockie but the loan players all have different deals We sometimes pay a percentage or the loan club pays the full amount.Szsney was a good example as Roma haggled on his wages but finally accepted to pay all his wages with an option to buy.
Ozil,Sanchez and Kos will make a future dent if they stay as negotiations have already started and they will want more..
84.7 million net spend seems right mind you .We got about 5/6 million for Gnabry.
I guess Roman must make his regular donations to pgmol. Certainly explains why Diego costa can pretty much do as he likes without repercussions.
What we need is an insider in the PGMOL !…….someone who has all the knowledge of their affairs, someone who is trusted by them, someone who high up the order, someone like an honourary member for services to their cause, someone like………………………. Sir Alex Ferguson !
Have we any HHers who are young enough to apply for an aprenticeship in the Manchester United Refereeing Academy ?
I am watching England U20 vs Brazil U20.
laughable really. if that is the under 20 top players then I am not impressed. Maitland Niles is playing….but is he?? tactically they are naïve and Brazil are not having any difficulty in controlling them. 35 minutes gone and the only shot England have had up till now is a penalty which was saved. Otherwise no shots….neither on target nor off target.
Too much huff and puff from the England boys but all leading to nothing.
Oh…..and the left back is not even up to Conference standard. I don’t know who he is but he is making all the wrong decisions
Dev, is that live?
http://live.robinwidget.com/streamvideo8/free-live-video-streaming-england-u20-brazil-u20-football-396209.html
live stream mate.
tbh…..I am not impressed. I have never seen Maitland Niles play for Arsenal…so cannot say what his level is……but if he plays like that regularly than its like watching Sturridge at the Euros….running into blind alleys with no end product. Headless chicken is more an apt description.
I just wish that I live up there….so I can watch the young ones regularly.
I would not loose a game from u21 downwards you can bet on that.
I watch a lot of youth internationals and tbh…..the players on show today are not playing a good level. Too many long balls……with no accuracy at all. In essence they are just long punts across the fields. They are making it easy for the Brazilians.
and the 2nd goal…even the Brazil player was laughing when it got presented to him on a plate.
Oh and bdw…..Brazil are winning 2-0
Le coq
Fergie would never blow the whistle. He probably benefitted more than anybody from the pgmol.
Tafari Moore is playing LB in the 2nd half now. that is quite an upgrade on the previous player.
TM looks strong and well built.
That`s weird !…………………………England played Brazil a few days ago and Maitland Niles scored a cracker in a 1-1 draw !.
Dev, i won’t spoil it for you..
http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/03/arsenal-ace-ainsley-maitland-niles-scores-brilliant-goal-for-englands-u20s-vs-brazil-6108137/
the 2nd half is more of an even contest now. Tafari Moore nearly scored had the ball been more kinder to him….he was at the right place but a Brazilian ankle got in the way of Maitland’s cross.
believe me LCM….England were crap in the first half.
now its more balanced affair. Possession is better shared while England are imposing their strength. But Brazil are controlling well.
1st England shot on target…..in the 76th minute
England pull one back….Calvert Lewin header
Must be the Allardyce influence, Dev` !………………. 😀
This is all well and good as a business club, but the flaw I see in this philosophy is very simple……………..if they spend more than us they will get the better players and more often than not having the better players will win you the trophies !……………………………rocket science and not being it comes to mind !……………………………..it`s a fcuking rubbish philosophy if it doesn`t win trophies or am I missing something here ? 😆
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2016/09/04/27185172/-
Didn’t catch the Legends game…..was Kenny Samson on the bench.
?? Micko, sad but very very funny….
Afternoon guys…
Whatever the result it was agreed that at the end of the game both sides take 5 pens each.
Full time ….England 1 Brazil 2
Pens…England 3 Brazil 4
Maitland Niles sent his penalty the same way as John Terry did in the CL.
How did Kane miss that?
rico, he should be wearing a crash helmet going up against that dirty bastard Skrtel.
I’d rather he didn’t Micko… Lol
I know what you mean, I did feel a bit uncomfortable mentioning it.
Riveting stuff isn’t it.
It’s awful, really really awful….
That’s about right….
Kelsey, Jack throwing a strop again lol.
Loved that from Walcott. A shove on Ali too… Lol
Will Feo be the saviour ?
Two really poor efforts from Walcott….
Nope!
That’s the way to win it…. 😉
Night guys, catch up tomorrow….
Walcott made all the difference 😉
Time for a feed of pints.
Dead on your feet rico ! Laters.
Mustafi is injury…
Mustafi, Ramsey and Iwobi should all be back in time for PSG on the 13th…
Morning
What happened to mustafi ?.
Going back to jack and his loan deal to Bournemouth.There is a theory that if he plays once a week and doesn’t get injured all season it’s down to something wrong at our pitch or the way we play or the way he plays.
I don’t go with that.I think his ankles have taken enough and this is the end of his career for Arsenal as why should he suddenly have an injury free season after 5 consecutive seasons with various injuries.Secondly not all his injuries have happened at our place,
Where I think the club is at fault is that Wenger often plays players knowing they are not fully fit or haven’t had sufficent time to regain full fitness or the medical team could do better,or a combination of all three.
Another piss poor performance by England and Rooney has the audacity that his international career will end after 2018.He shouldn’t even be in the team IMO as his performances these past few years have been distinctly average.I get the feeling whoever is the manager,Rooney dictates to him.We really don’t have a squad as an international outfit.We are clutching at straws to fill all the places.
As for our Theo, did you expect anything better.he really isn’t that good,is well overpayed and is a luxury for us and England. One decent game in 7 is not impressive.
Morning all.
Can’t say I’m overly fussed about how Walcott plays for England as I’d rather he wasn’t selected but that’s only because I care more about Arsenal and to be fair to him, I think he’s started this season better than many others. Not trying to suggest he’s suddenly brilliant, not at all but I do think he’s working a lot harder.
If by some miracle he stays fit and carries on the way he’s playing for Arsenal and doesn’t revert back to being a lazy disinterested sulking boy again, he might just have a good season…
Morning all !
I`m with you Rico………………..Arsenal are first and foremost, couldn`t give a rats arse if any of our players never played international football again !………….too many injuries at our place let alone playing for another team .
Theo`s lack of tackling/pressing/involvement has always been my main gripe with him ( the other being his lack of ability to dribble, which is a bummer if you`re supposed to be a winger !), if the penny has dropped then he may surprise us all .
With you there LC, he needs the ball ahead of him to run on to and then whip in a cross. No point in expecting him to go round defenders because he can’t, it’s not his game. Mind you, not many of our players do get past defenders….. lol
Walcott showed all the signs of a nervous kid when he first came on last night . It was like watching someone getting his first cap and not really knowing where his best position on the pitch is. It’s something that should have been sorted years ago.
If he had been told you are a winger, you will be played as a winger , you will learn to be a winger and practice your ability to use your speed and develop that part of your game and if you don’t like it goodbye.
Once he settled he played reasonably , made a few good crosses and tackled back and was instrumental in the last few minutes of pressure against 10 men that forced the win.
I have always felt that Theo was limited but dangerous if used correctly. He also seems to be the kind of person that needs guidance. I don’t think he got the strong hand he needed. With decent coaching I think we could have got a lot more from him, perhaps now all the crap about centre forward seems to be gone we will.
Spot on Potter, it’s now happening all over again with OC. Is he a winger, is he a central player, and look how many times Ramsey has been played everywhere other than where he’s best.
Players suffer big time and so do the team…
New post up now.