Gunners Give Away The Unbeaten Home Record
Dec 3rd, 2017 by 'holic
An extraordinary day started with pie, mash, and liquor, my first for many a moon in case Manze’s doesn’t survive. It was the perfect absorbtion material for the odd drink or two that were enjoyed in great company, as ever.
What followed was a remarkable creative performance by the Arsenal, albeit one foisted on the team by two absolutely horrendous pieces of defending. As on Wednesday against Huddersfield we gave the ball away cheaply and this was not Huddersfield we were up against. In all honesty United sniffed blood and in Pogba, Lingard, Valencia, and Lukaku they had the pace and power to make the most of their counter attacks. Valencia and Lingard were on the scoresheet.
Two down in eleven minutes, we responded with a performance that ensured a passionate home support stayed onside. We had to reorganise when Skhodran Mustafi limped off after his mistake had brought about the second goal. To this untrained eye it looked as though we switched to a back two rather than a conventional four as Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac were still given free reign to attack on the flanks and substitute Alex Iwobi added to our creativity.
Despite relentless pressure United’s goal remained intact thanks in equal parts to our lack of ruthlessness, the unbelievable performance of de Gea between the sticks, and to the inability of Andre Marriner and his assistant to spot Rojo haul back Alexandre Lacazette as a chance from point-blank range fell to the Arsenal man. At half-time the talk was of converting this clear territorial advantage into goals. The atmosphere was still positive.
Clearly we needed to get back in the game early in the second-half and we did, further raising the spirits. Alexis, for once, picked out a team-mate in the box. Aaron Ramsey cut the ball back into the path of Lacazette who drilled it past de Gea. The atmosphere reached a crescendo as the Gunners turned the screw.
United tried to take the sting out of the game with the use of some mysterious injuries, and then incredibly restored their two goal advantage when Pogba bullied Koscielny in the box and squared the ball for an unmarked Lingard to tap in at the far post. One cannot deny their ability to counter with strength and speed contributed to an excellent match.
Half an hour remained. On came Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud for Granit Xhaka and Kolasinac. De Gea remained in incredible form and a stunning double save from Lacazette and Alexis defied belief. We were denied a second penalty when Welbeck was upended in the box by Darmian.
United were denied the services of Pogba for the final sixteen minutes after he stamped on the grounded Bellerin. He’ll also miss next week’s Manchester derby so United might well rue his moment of madness.
The match stats, for what they were worth, were startling. The Arsenal had 75% of the ball, 33 shots of which 15 were on target compared to United’s 8 and 4, and 12 corners to United’s 1. Yet as we know there are lies, damned lies, and statistics. All they confirmed about this match was that it was a hugely entertaining, if frustrating, affair.
90 Responses to “Gunners Give Away The Unbeaten Home Record”
It was a hard game to make sense of Holic. I tried last night but it left me partly with a sense of huge frustration and disappointment and at the same time some considerable pride with how well we played. I’ve just watched Citeh and while United will miss Pogba I expect United’s tempo to be decisive next week because Citeh are overrated despite the great players they have . The way Sky laud them I actually hope they do.
United surprised me and while they were lucky they were seriously impressive on the break and muscled us out of it. You got to see who had the stomach for the fight among our lads and the ability. I love the Tank but he’s never played in a game like that and it showed. So props to Ramsey, Lacazette and Ozil for their performances and to Iwobi for trying to grab the game by the scruff of the neck even if he lacks the composure to do it.
As for Mustafi I will be interested to see what his injury is. He was as bad last night in his cameo as he was dominant against the Totts. Wenger has to rotate very intelligently ( as has every other PL manager) over the next few weeks . To be honest we are slightly better than I expected we would be this season but still capable of some very painful errors
I still haven’t seen a flicker of this game. Excellent report and some fine builds by TTG. I was confident we’d win this one. Clearly the opportunity was there to do so. The defensive errors sound horrific. Our conversion rate on the chances we created possibly even more so. Frustrating squared.
Thanks for a great report, ‘holic. Just sorry about the result.
In other news, Forza Benevento.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42214793
Very well summarised ‘h! You saw the same game that many-a-us saw.
THIS SQUAD IS GOOD ENOUGH TO COMPETE! ?
One cannot negatively criticise the overall attacking performance yesterday nor the fans’ engagement. Well done on that front!
However, those same old naive individual and farcical errors punished in defensive organisation, as always, was our downfall. I doubt Mustafi is injured, aside from his pride?! ?
The home side were just very very unlikely in the end, and they ran out of time (especially in the first half when after going two down early, they battered ManU). Regardless of what that vile, smug Portuguese Cunt (and his/their sycophants say) his filth got unbelievably lucky at the Grove! Aside from Andre Marriner being an incompetent cock (one could accuse him of far worse), De Gea is not regarded as the world’s very best for no reason?! Feck-You Madrid! You should’ve taken him in July!
From being one of the “luckiest” Coaches/Managers since joining us in the late 1990’s, Monsieur Wenger may now be branded as an “unlucky” Head-Coach and Man-Manager?! Perennial bad-luck always seeming to up its self by a notch or three when least wanted; and particularly when some of his chosen charges on the day, come head-to-head with his/our rivals?! What is it they say?! “The more I practice, the luckier I get”. ?
Alexis Sanchez was poor; and as others have uttered, the club should focus primarily on resigning the Fish-God more than him, if any ones exorbitant services are to be retained. Alexis is just not a supportive and nurturing team player that this current crop of Arsenal players can continue to entertain. His broodiness may be too much for the collective dynamics “niceness”. If Alexis is to go, he must be sold in January if no 100% guaranteed and secured effort is going to be made by the Club to convince him to stay-on after the end of the season to continue to build-up his rapport with Lacazette et al. Just don’t let him go for free Arsene, as that would be make us look even more naive off the field too. Get some lolly for him, at least to by a few nice bottles of wine and vintage single malt! ? ?
Now 15 points behind the Fake & Mongrelised Ca$h Cow?! ? Fuck’ ‘em! They won’t ever be “Invincibles”; there will only ever be one! ?
UTAAD&AN!
AFCOF!
Nice report H. I’ve only seen the motd highlights but those, along with the final match stats says it all. In the end very poor defensive errors cost us. We should have been more clinical but you probably won’t see a better display buy a keeper anywhere else this season. I thought that Lacazette looked sharp and on another day would be going home with the match ball. Apparently De Gea managed to break the record for most saves in a game. That speaks volumes.
I was surprised at some of the moaning and negativity in the previous round of drinks and have to say that I very much agree with Clive. I can’t agreecwith Dan above who thinks that the squad is good enough. Sadly we are still short in quality in a number of areas.
On another day we get something out of that. It just wasn’t to be.
@ Dapper DanC am with you as in regards to Alexis. I really love the guy, but he has been horrible this season. His passing has been really shambles and always blaming his teammates. I really wont mind us selling him to whoever this January and try all our possible best to keep Ozil. Hopefully the new look management/transfer team will do better during the summer transfer window.
You were surprised by the moaning and negativity, Steve? Really? All the usual suspects unfortunately.
SAG
I think the consensus has changed on here re the two luminaries but I think they are both playing us although our new exec team might make a difference. If Ozil has his sights set on Champions League success we aren’t achieving that
In defence of the current regime we bought very well in the summer but not enough players! In fact we only bought one but acquired two crackers.
BtM. Criticism was certainly due, but should have been saved for seasoned internationals who made schoolboy errors. I’m more than happy to criticise AW when it’s due, but to suggest those errors were his fault was ludicrous.
I actually felt criticism of Wenger was out of order yesterday. I thought he showed bravery and tactical flexibility and was on a hiding to nothing after going two goals down to Mourinho.
A suggestion that Mourinho outfoxed him when De Gea produced arguably the best goalkeeping performance seen at the Emirates and one of the best I have ever seen was ludicrous. If United had held Arsenal off easily it would have had some substance but as many United friends said they had kittens during the game.
Wenger was let down by stupid errors by seasoned players yesterday but the way they played and responded after the goals convinced me they still respect him. He can inspire that team and conjure a response from them but he can’t stop top international players having brain farts.
TTG
My consensus has never changed on our 2 unsigned luminaries.
I am on record as being seriously underwhelmed at the behavior of Alexis since he has been with us.
petulance on and off the pitch,disappearing down the tunnel without acknowledging the fans or the opposition at the end of games,and his constant berating of his own teammates when things don’t go his way.
Selling him last summer would not have upset my sleep pattern one jot.
Mesut is a fantastic footballer and much maligned on here and in the general football spectrum.
But not by me.
He is the heartbeat of the team.
People seem to think that if they don’t see him busting a gut to get back in defence and then do the same to get into the attacking zone for the whole 90 minutes,then he ‘ isn’t putting in and is lazy ”
Absolute bollocks.
He is our best creative player by a country mile and if we had had some players of similar quality around him since he has been here,we would have won a Title or 2.
Again those who understand the game know how absolutely vital is is to have a proper pre season to withstand the unrelenting vigours of the English football season.
Well surprise surprise,Mesut didn’t get that.
He picked up an injury which cut into his preparation,leaving him well short of the required fitness levels for the kick off.
Only in the past few weeks has he got to those levels,and it shows on the pitch.
The Cynics in the bar [ not aimed at the real Cynic] think he is only now playing well to put himself in the shop window,when nothing could be further from the truth.
He is finally fully fit is the truth of the matter.
Mesut like all top footballers just wants to play at the top level and win trophies,and you can hardly blame him holding off signing a new contract if he feels he cannot achieve that at the Arse.
He is i am sure,as deeply disappointed as we are,at the lack of top tier signings over the past few seasons,and the reasons behind that will probably never be known.
I just hope that he,like me was really interested to see the 2 new signings off the pitch, from Barcelona and Dortmund,that give me a real sense that change is in the wind.
With their deep connections to football in 2 of the best technical leagues in Europe, a seismic change could be on the way next summer.
Hopefully our best technical player by i say again,a country mile,sees it the same way,and he graces the shirt of the my favorite Club for many years to come.
The number of times Arsenal have failed the test
when given the chance and failed is deplorable.The defence
as usual went missing when needed.
So far it is 4 points out 20 against the top teams .That means winning the epl is out of the question.
As long as Wenger stays,Arsenal will never win the epl.
.The fm has failed to convince the fans he has the expertise to get the gunners going especially in the big games.Beating Huddesfield 5-0 is on thing.
I would rather win 1-0 against MU.
That goes against Wengers mantra of entertaining soccer.
Until he discards this element,the gunners will continue to chug along
I have no complaint at all about the way we responded to going 2 down. Apart from the first 11 minutes it was one of the most exhilarating Arsenal displays I have seen in years, as I said in the last drinks.
But the FACT remains two of our defenders were prepared to fuck about in defence when their first priority should have been to ensure otherwise. And so we lost the game in that first 11 minutes.
Call it brainfarts if you like, but defenders with the right mindset would have been concentrating on NOT doing anything quite so mindless. And ensuring they have their minds on the job is up to whoever has the job of ensuring their minds are on the job. Or are you suggesting either that no one suggested Manure might be coming at them early with all guns blazing? Or that they simply ignored the possibility?
Either way someone other than the brainfarters has to share the blame.
Fine report, Guv’nor. Not an easy one to write. Seventy nine minutes of exhilarating football and eleven minutes of madness. Your headline said it all.
And not a word to disagree with from Clive@11.
Chris.
I hate to say it I don’t think you’ve ever been more wrong in the bar than the above. Kos, an international defender of some standing, decide to play a shit pass across the box. Something that I was thought not to do from the age of six. It was his error. His basic error and one that 100% sits with him. To suggest that anyone else is to blame is ludicrous. Mustafi as well can blame no one other than himself for his error.
How anyone has to share the blame for their exceptionally juvenile errors is beyond comprehension. If I was there I was told not to play a square ball across the box at 6 then I’m pretty confident that Kos knows he should not be doing it? I’m also confident that they won’t be the only two players to ever make silly errors either?
There’s no way Wenger was outfoxed by Mourinho yesterday, as we had them at our mercy until it went 3-1 and the sending off actually helped them, as it made the players’ minds up for them and it was easier for them to sit.
However I have to stand by my point in previous drinks about the poor use of subs. I don’t see what Iwobi and Welbeck in particular bring to this team at all, and we narrowed our game far too much because Bellerin was clumped and the manager made a mess of it by taking off Kolasinac.
On the commentary yesterday there was a remark to the effect of the managers had no influence on the game because the players were just going for it, and to some extent I agree with that because a Mourinho side is never THAT open.
This was a big three points thrown away when they were there to be destroyed and most the blame for that was the schoolboy errors. We didn’t help ourselves with some of the choices made on the sidelines though.
Chris – sometimes a brainfart is just a brainfart. There was no subliminal farting going on from other quarters yesterday.
For once we were really fired up, so if you want to blame someone for farting by proxy you also have to give said farter due credit for getting the team up for it in general terms.
Or something.
Was the team ‘up for it’ initially, Cynic? It was pretty obvious to me that they weren’t at all prepared for the way Manure started the game.
After the early lack of concentration they reacted magnificently, but getting 3 goals minimum past a Mourinho bus backed by arguably the best keeper in the business was always likely to be byond even the best of strike forces (which ours isn’t).
I have no idea what priming the Arsenal team gets before leaving the sheds, but I was in the motivation business for most of my career and can assure you that even the most professional professional needs the basics reinforced from time to time, and most definitely before a mondo meeting with a bogeycunt like Moaninho.
An addendum to the above. If Mustafi and Koscielny really are prone to brainfarts of such dimensions against top teams then they have no place at the Grove. Especially whichever it was managed the second fart after seeing the first!
You guys are way too forgiving. 🙁
Thanks Guvnor.
As you say, very frustrating. Glad
there’s no concept of swear boxes
in Japan as I’d have lost a fortune.
All the things to say have been
said in the various drinks.
I hope we dust ourselves
and take out our fury on
Southampton.
Chris,
For a surprising (and pleasant) change, this particular loss cannot really be laid primarily at the feet of Arsene Wenger. We were very unlucky. What frustrates me personally most of all, is not the loss to that Cunt Mourinho, no! It’s the now 15 point gap between us and that other Mancunian Mongrelised Ca$h Cow, that pisses me off! We shouldn’t have been this far behind the league leaders already this term; and especially within a season where we were meant “to be challenging for the title”, hence why we retained the expensive services of two out of contract next Summer, World Class players. Not being “the best that we can be” every-time that we take to the pitch (we kind of were for 80+ minutes of Saturday’s match against the current second best English Team on form), is where we should all be deeply pissed, still. If, by some minor miracle, we can be within 6 or 7 points of Guadiola’s side come the end of January, it’s league challenge still-on time. Within 8 (or 9 at the very most) points by the New Year, would be a nice little Xmas pressie. With Lacazette’s selfless intelligence and talent up front, and no more suicidal defending, this group of players do have the talent to do “something encouraging” this season. I’m still sticking with that, Steve T; and it’s all because of that little French fella that’s come in from Olympic Lyonnais. Just hope he stays fit and Arsene’s other bad luck with injuries to key players, doesn’t affect the wee lad! ? ?
@20
Chris,
To err is human, to forgive is
divine. We’re just very divine 🙂
You think you’re Divine, Matt? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDiI4ZuEDWM
🙂
You were in the motivation business for most of your career Chris? Now there’s a bet right there that I would have lost. The bookies would have cleaned up. Perhaps you should come over and do the team talks? Just make sure that we are mathematically safe first.
It’s not about being forgiving. If you want to apportion blame then do so. Just make sure it’s aimed correctly?
Too forgiving? From the man who would pick 11 Theo Walcotts if he could?????? I think I’ve heard it all now.
Dan. I like Lacazette. I think he’s shown well since he’s been with us. I just think that we do not have the quality in depth to challenge for the title. That said, I very much hope I’m wrong and that you are right.
Clive @11,
I agree with you regarding our nearly out of contract stars, but sadly I think that Ozil wouldn’t dream of signing a new contract.
Saturday’s result may stymie our premiership ambitions a little, but for me the reintroduction of St Totteringham’s day is worth at least a trophy.
I have the slightly dubious pleasure of “an evening with Paul Merson” on Wednesday, just wondered if anyone has anything (legal) they would like me to ask him?
For myself, I just want to know if it was really true that Jimmy Carter urinated on Paul and Perry Groves after only five pints of lager.
It’s the 3rd round draw tonight
(u.k. time) apparently. Home to
Forest Green Rovers will do as
I think we’ve never played them
before.
Excellent report Guvna. Summed that tragedy and endeavour-laden drama up well. Sorry to have missed you on the day. Glad to hear the pies remain satisfactory.
Clive @11, masterful summary of how I feel.
Steve T @ various, I totally agree.
Good and fair minded report on the match.
Couple of points :
My daughter’s under 11 team are taught not to play the ball across their own penalty box – what on earth was Koscielny thinking ?!?!
No words for Mutsafi and Xhaka on the second and third United goals.
Our other eight players were magnificent to a man, and deserved more for their efforts…
Speaking of which De Gea put in the best goal keeping shift I have EVER watched in forty years of watching football. Sometimes you just have to doff your cap to your opponent. My hat is doffed.
Clive @11,
I didn’t lose patience with Alexis as early as you did but, apart from that, I agree with every word of that top, top post.
Thanks for the report Holic.
Good work from TTG and Steve T too.
I have still only seen MoTD highlights as a trip to my David Lloyd offered only some stupid rhyming game on TV as their entire Sky system was down.
Progress reports in a Whatsapp group sounded very frustrating and eventually quite encouraging, but you can’t gift a Man Utd team two goals in the first ten minutes through ridiculous individual errors and expect to walk away with anything.
Such a shame after a terrific performance against Tottenham and five goals against Huddersfield where some of the football was bordering on the telepathic.
The Emirates unfortunately seems to coach best-of-career performances from many visiting goalkeepers, but the saves of de Gea i have actually seen were quite exceptional.
At least one of the Manchester clubs will drop points this weekend, but they are not really our immediate concern. That should be to keep producing intense performances – minus the individual silliness – predictably, one game at the time, and establish ourselves in that top four.
That would at least make the jobs of our new back room team that much easier come the summer. Assuming they haven’t been brought in to twiddle their thumbs.
Dorset Mick
Nice to hear from you.
Ask Merson why he didn’t attend the parade of ex Arsenal players when Highbury closed- the team that stood by him and nursed him through various addictions. I thought it was very poor behaviour.
Clive
You are spot-on with your comments. I thought Ozil was terrific on Saturday , no way was he outplayed by Lingard as the Times claimed this morning. They were playing quite different roles. Alexis is pissing off almost everyone around where I sit. He should be sold but he is trying his wotsits off. But he is so high- maintenance
It was a case of me being bewitched, bothered and bewildered on Saturday. How could a World Cup winner and the MOTM at Burnley, Mustafi leave his focus in the dressing room? Was Kos more concerned with his ankle than safely passing the ball out of the area? Was it a mistake to have played him midweek?
Alexis has bothered me all season, his passing has been atrocious most weeks. Yes, he rushed around hanging on to the ball, only to give it away when a quick one two would have been more productive. He obviously wants to be elsewhere and I agree with all that has been said re: his attitude.
What a mountain to climb, 2nil down to Maureen in 11mins. What followed was exhilarating to watch, as good a league match as I can remember. We gave it 110% and were so unfortunate not to get a late penalty and something out of the game . Ozil and Rambo were tremendous and I expect Lazarette was dumbfounded at not taking home the match ball.
As was said by Trev, visiting keepers have the habit of putting on a show at the Ems but Dea Gea put on THE show of this and many other seasons . He was the obvious MOTM, he thwarted us at every turn and we left the pitch empty handed.
Let’s hope Saturday’s disappointment does not linger in the mind and we can put in a great performance at Southampton. Arsene can field the U23’s on Thursday and anyone who needs a run out. I’m in Norwich for the day with the “girls” and will not get to the game. I doubt if football will get a mention!
COYR
Away at Forest in the Cup! that’ll do me!
PS. I love the FA Cup!
Proper ground, proper club (and a mean curry house 400 yards away)
In 2016 we received a total of 4,150 tickets for Forest in the League Cup, these went down to zero credits.
Forest in the FA Cup.
Great draw…two of my best mates are Forest fans.
Even been up there as a ‘neutral’ for a couple of games with them.
Very hot / cold team these days according to said mates…
Dorset Mick/Bath/Trev/TTG
Thnks for the kind words,i really do hope Mesut stays.
Good interview on ESPN with our new Head Scout from Dortmund.
I have watched the Utd game a 2nd time,and still still shaking my head in disbelief at how De Gea kept us to 1 miserly goal.
I have been blessed in my lifetime to see some truly great keeper down the years,from Bert Trautmann/lLev Yashin/Eddie Hopkinson/Jack Kelsey,
Gordon Banks/Pat Jennings/David Seaman/Peter Shilton/
Peter Schmeichel,just to name a few,and De Gea’s performance on Saturday stands with the very best of them.
The BASTARD. !!!
11 Theo Walcotts, Steve? There was a time when I felt he was getting a raw deal, and he proved me right for a while last season (ending as our second top scorer). But it’s quite a while since I have suggested even 1 Theo starting in our First XI. My preferred front line has been stated as Alexis/OG/Laca for some time now. Theo on the right for the Cup team.
But when you need goals, like Saturday, I would always send him on ahead of Iwobi and Danny. I’m assuming he’s ill or injured again?
A suggestion Chris: Stop digging.
COYG
Just correcting an illusion Steve has formed, Pan, presumably from making assumptions in what I have written lately rather than reading what was actually said.
There was also a measure of derision in his post regarding my former career, to which I take mild offence. He mistakes my advocatus diaboli comments as indicative, when they are often far from.
Interesting comments from Manu Petit after the loss to Man $iteh a month ago:
“It has been a long time since I saw Arsenal play well from the first minute to the last – this is surely down to a crisis of confidence among the squad. Arsenal’s problems are mostly mental, not technical” http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/06/several-players-at-arsenal-arent-motivated-says-emmanuel-petit-7058364/
Mental, not technical. Lacking motivation.
Feo will still make it with the right coach! If Rah$$m $terling can do it, then why can’t a very well-brought-up and well-spoken young Walcott lad do it? Leave-off the wee man will ya! Come on Feo, hang-in there fella! ?
Clive@40: Mike Pinner, too.
I wanted home to Forest Green Rovers
and got away to Nottm Forest instead.
Close I suppose.
Agree with Delia for BATE – play 5 or
6 of the kids at least. Not sure if AW
will change the recent 1st XI for
Soton – my guess is not although I
haven’t heard what’s up with Mus
yet. Anyway, we’ll see from the
starting 11 on Thurs who is likely
for Sunday as generally no Thurs
starters then start Sunday. Lot of
games coming up and BATE isn’t
vital so I’ll be fine with however
young the team is.
A faintly bizarre article below where Clattenberg admits not enforcing the laws of the game to avoid being blamed for influencing the outcome.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/04/mark-clattenburg-allowed-spurs-self-destruct-title-leicester-chelsea
A premier league referee with a pre-game bias. Who’d have thought?
I used to rate Clattenberg at one stage but not any more. I wonder how the PL or its referees will react – probably not at all.
UTA.
Noosa,
Saw that article and agree with you.
It was an odd thing to say – he
claims to have benefitted the
game by not following the rules.
All is vanity in his case.
So Clattenburg was the cause of Spurs’ self-destruction? I don’t think so. Spurs didn’t even finish runners-up anyway. All their own doing, imo.
I know nothing about hockey but Barry Middleton of GBR and England made his 400th international appearance at the World League Finals yesterday. That has to be some achievement!
It’s a bit more than the 354 England
need to win the 2nd test Chris.
I’ve decided that if England get the
runs, I’ll still believe The Arsenal
can win the PL this season 🙂
This photo is from the Guardian’s PL photos of the week:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2017/dec/03/the-dozen-the-weekends-best-premier-league-photos#img-2
Arm round throat. Foot on foot. Why is this not a penalty?
Better ask Clattenburg, Ned.
My own guess is that the referee didn’t want to influence the outcome of the game ……..
Ahem ….
Clattenburg sounds far too much like a cake for my liking. ?
Clattenburg comes across as a likely candidate to seek out Saudi Arabian bribes.
What?
Ned the photo @53 says it all. Another case of a referee “not wanting” to see a penalty for Arsenal when the penalty must be given.
I did have to laugh when a fan said “if De Gea was on the Titanic he would have saved that as well”
We didn’t roll over and die but fought to the last minute and with a different keeper it could of been 8-3. The Manc`s talking about what a defensive display, not sure how 33 shots at goal is a great defensive display. Credit where credit is due De Gea was outstanding.
We were undone by some school boy defending and a world class goalkeeper 🙁
The Clattenburg comments are extraordinary. He is effectively saying tha5 he refereed a vital League game with his primary aim being the preservation of his image.
I always thought Graham Poll was the most self- absorbed referee I had encountered. A friend told me of how eagerly he signed autographs as he came out after games but Clattenburg overtakes even him. He was effectively letting Spurs get away with murder so that his reputation was not besmirched by sending hordes of them off as was deserved.
I’m genuinely appalled but not surprised
Shaken, not stirred, TTG ?
Clattenberg’s confession conclusively demonstrates that referees regard themselves as having the right to make a subjective judgement on the events they see during the game explaining the non-award of cast-iron penalties and fouls, the award of fouls and penalties inappropriately and the inappropriate waving or non-waving of cards. Interpretation has always been an issue in the game but it is now clearly also influenced by referee freedom to apply a prevailing subjective/personal preference/personal prejudice element to it.
Bath,
They’re even allowed to celebrate their subjective preferences – remember Mike Dean’s victory hop at the Emirates when the Spuds scored in front of the North Bank ?
To admit to not handing out red cards in order not to become the focal point of post match discussions, is appalling and amazing.
It does, however, confirm what we have all complained about for years.
Referees do not necessarily referee according to the rules.
And there you have it.
I will sound a bit lame when compared to the majority here, yes we played well but not well enough to win the game and in the end that is all that matters. Quick note on lacazette and Martial who were brilliant for the respective teams, how i wish we had the other frenchman playing for us than that piece of shit who treats him with such disregard.
Defensively poor and individual mistakes at such levels makes you feel bad and sad in equal measure. I love Kos but he is waning and for Mustafi, i always thread on caution about him. Good a game and then his over zealousness and wanting to play out of trouble makes me alarmed.
Alexis criticized and rightly so but without an adequate replacement, we cannot let go of our match winner. He is still one of our most important players and one we cannot dispose of.
The league is long gone but if we want to remain in the mix for the top 4 slots, game like Southampton this weekend, a place where we hardly win will matter. We need to win it at all cost.
Nzonzi in london and rumors afloat that we are triggering his release clause!!!!!!!! where will we play him? As a dm? then what happens to ramsey/Xhaka? Wenger knows or in this case IG does????
Some food for thought about the output of our Academy. There is not one Arsenal player on the CES Observatory’s list of the 100 most valuable under-21s in the big five European leagues.
http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/b5wp/2017/206/en/
An estimated transfer value of 10 million euros gets you on the list. Our highest valued youngster seems to be Reiss Nelson at an estimated 2.5 million euros.
Vinay@62: To your point, we have won only four of our last eleven visits to Southampton, W4 D3 L4 in a run stretching back to May 2001. However, we won both our two most recent games there, 0-2 in the league in May and 0-5 in the FA Cup in January (yes, a Theo hat-trick, before someone points that out!). That was the longest run of consecutive wins against them since four on the spin in 2003-04, but then we had TH14 and Bobby Pires scoring the goals for us.
Cuppa.
Welcome to the Europey Cup, Champions’ League also-rans! ?
Nelson valued at 2.5 million euros, Ned? I wouldn’t sell him for ten times that currently. Based on that one example, whoever does the valuations for the CES Observatory is an idiot.
Clattenburg’s admission is a strange one. Why would he admit to the actions he took now? A book in the offing perhaps?
However it’s worth pointing out that no one seems to have taken issue with his refereeing in the Spuds/Chavs game at the time. Otherwise, how come Clattenburg reffed the finals of the Champions League, Euro 2016 and the FA Cup not long after?
Nah, definitely a book. Watch this space.
Interesting selection of paragraph from the Manu article Chris. You get a little more perspective if you take the two above and below with it.
None of that really alters anything though, does it? As a side we have had the same or similar problems for the last 10 years. Lack of quality, lack of leaders etc. I say before every game that the result will depend on which Arsenal team turns up.
AW can only be responsible for so much. When players enter the field of play then a lot of what happens is down to them. Players make silly mistakes and for no apparent reason. To suggest that the errors made by Kos and Mustafi means that they have no place at the Grove is bizarre. I would also say that to suggest that anyone else is to blame is also bizarre. None of it is down to motivation. They got it wrong. End of.
The Clattenburg comments are somewhat bizarre also, especially after such a long time. I generally have sympathy with officials. They have a tough job with the minimum of assistance. Players cheat, managers moan and intimidate. The time has come to bring the game into the 21st century. I would bring TV replays and take the time keeping duties away from the ref. Rather than added time I would just allow them to stop the clock for substitutions etc. All of that said I don’t remember Clattenburg getting much criticism for the way he handled the game?
Chris@67: I was surprised Reiss Nelson’s valuation was so low, but the CIES has a half way decent record in this regard as far as these things go. It may also be that because Nelson is still under 18 there are constraints on his transfer value.
Also, it is not a who but a what that does the calculation. CIES has developed a proprietary algorithm for the purpose.
Steve. Someone at Arsenal is, or should be, responsible for sending the team, or individuals in it, out in the right frame of mind for the particular match on a particular day. I just don’t know what exactly goes on in the prelude, or who is in charge of it.
But I am more than a little concerned by how AW himself describes it in this article … https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150312/a-day-in-the-life-of-arsene-wenger
He says … “It’s the same routine for every game. I am always looking at the clock on a matchday to make sure we are on schedule at every point. The players know the routine well by now, but I believe that it’s important to have a routine, for the confidence of the group, and that you are very strict on time.”
Having a routine which everyone understands is all well and good, but routines are just that, everyday the same. They can breed rotes which lead to a lack of focus. I would have thought it essential to have a different focus for games such as Saturdays to differentiate it from, say, a local derby or a bottom 4 opponent. This was a key game which, for several reasons – the top4 battle, ‘history’, the bogeycunt manager, pride etc etc – it was important not to fuck up.
As for the Petit article, the whole point of it was to highlight the lack of motivation he sees in the team.
I’m a teenage starlet not a number!
Point taken, Ned, and looking at the list I would agree with most of it. My guess is that Nelson simply hasn’t done enough yet to be properly gauged by the CIE algorithm.
Still annoying that only Iwobi has made the top 100 when there are so many Spuds and Poo players on it.
You’re dreaming, Matt. 🙂
“All train lines in the Southampton area will be closed for maintenance on the day, with replacement bus services in place.” (from the website of Southampton FC)
A malicious scheme to thwart the traveling Gooners, no doubt.
bt8,
The whole British transport system is
a malicious scheme…… 🙂
I missed Iwobi’s name first time round, Chris. You may well be right about Nelson.
OM @78 It’s sure not what I remember from traveling in Britain in the 70s. A gem of a rail network it was.
bt8,
Standing on a freezing platform
waiting for a Thameslink train to
work that’s regularly late or
cancelled. How I don’t miss those
dark winter mornings.
Chris.
“ Someone at Arsenal is, or should be, responsible for sending the team, or individuals in it, out in the right frame of mind for the particular match on a particular day. I just don’t know what exactly goes on…..”
Nor me. I don’t know either. I’m guessing that no one here does either unless there is someone who is lucky enough to have been in the dressing room on a match day? But if you think that AW and the rest of the staff don’t send them out in the best frame of mind, as they see it, on a match day then again I will have to disagree with you. Does it always work? Of course not. But that’s life my friend, that’s life. We all have good days and bad days, no matter how meticulous our preparation is.
As much as I love Petit he left Arsenal 17 years ago so I would love to know the last time he was party to a Wenger team talk?. They seemed to work okay when he was at the club?
I will leave it at that. I do not intend to continue boring everyone else with this anymore.
According to AW we will play
quite an experienced team vs
Bate and everyone except
possibly Mus is available.
It seems AW wants to ensure
experienced players have recent
games. I suppose it makes
sense although personally I’d
have liked a younger team
tomorrow.
my guess is something like
Osp
Debuchy Mert Rob
Nelson Elneny Le Coq Ash M-N
Theo OG Iwobi
Calum could play of course in
the back 3 but whoever out of
the CBs doesn’t play looks the
likely Mus replacement.
Do we even know yet what is supposed to be wrong with the Shkodran Leader ?
Somebody Mustafi clue ….?
?
Contract extensions for three of the less experienced, Eddie Nketiah, Matt Macey and Ben Sheaf.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/nketiah-macey-and-sheaf-sign-new-deals
Trev@84. It is “A little thigh problem, but it’s a small one.”
Not clear if AW meant the problem or the thigh was small.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-latest-shkodran-mustafi
May be fit for Southampton, should be for West Ham.
Just 13 drinks to the ton. Is that the sound of cba limbering up?
Made me laugh
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfcUOrzwQOM
Sounds like business as usual to me, Steve. 😉
Evening all. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>