Arsenal Thread

[Rantboy]

What about the 2nd penalty that wasn't given to Mahrez? What about Coquelin shoving Mahrez to leave the pitch which should warrant a yellow or a send off normally but this time it didn't because Mahrez didn't roll on the pitch like a cry baby?

Wait, what penalty? You can't be serious if you're talking about this:
http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-leicester/mahrez-dives-in-box.html

As for Coquelin, yes he was very stupid getting involved like that being on a yellow, but then again Mahrez was trying to take a parting shot and wind up Arsenal players one last time by wasting time before being subbed (while he himself should have been booked for that dive). The thing is, Atkinson didn't play into his hands, and to be fair to Mahrez, he just reacted like a man. I'll tell you what: if it was Mike Dean, that would have been straight red to Coquelin no doubt. Worse yet: if it was Costa instead of Mahrez, he would have manipulated and tricked any ref in the world into sending Coquelin off and he'd get him a 3 match ban... But at the end of the day, it is what it is: just a scuffle between two players.

 

[Lami]

Wait, what penalty? You can't be serious if you're talking about this:
http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-leicester/mahrez-dives-in-box.html

Yea. Just watch the trailing foot. It catches Mahrez and he loses balance so he dives for the pen. Yes it's soft, but that doesn't matter. The softest of touches might make one lose balance and therefore was obstructed in the box.

As for Coquelin, yes he was very stupid getting involved like that being on a yellow, but then again Mahrez was trying to take a parting shot and wind up Arsenal players one last time by wasting time before being subbed (while he himself should have been booked for that dive). The thing is, Atkinson didn't play into his hands, and to be fair to Mahrez, he just reacted like a man. I'll tell you what: if it was Mike Dean, that would have been straight red to Coquelin no doubt. Worse yet: if it was Costa instead of Mahrez, he would have manipulated and tricked any ref in the world into sending Coquelin off and he'd get him a 3 match ban... But at the end of the day, it is what it is: just a scuffle between two players.

To me it is too. We always do that when playing, but Fifa rules are too strict and we've seen it happen many times before.

Also, what do you think of that early dangerous tackle that sent Kante (I think?) flying during the buildup to Leicester's goal?

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

That's not a red, Koscielny caught him from the side. It was hard but he didn't hit his foot or leg like Drinkwater did. Koscielny got a yellow for it, it was the right decision.

I can't believe you really think this is a pen from Mahrez. If those challenges are pens for you, then Giroud deserved one too for shirt pulling by Huth.

 

[Rantboy]

I'm puzzled too! Can't believe he deems that bizarre and rather mis-timed dive to be a penalty. I mean, if you watch Premier League week in week out, it's ludicrous!

The thing in the buildup to Leicester's penalty was a blunder by Koscielny. If you look at a replay, he was trying to clear the danger with a diving header? But he was so off the mark that he took out Kanté instead, who tripped over his trailing body. Koscielny did get booked for that.
But in no way you can say that was a straight red, or even claim that he deliberately fouled Kanté. I've never seen anyone trying to take somebody's legs out with their head?

Anyway Lami, I think you're asking too much of a referee who let this one slide without so much as a verbal warning:

 

[Lami]

That's not a red, Koscielny caught him from the side. It was hard but he didn't hit his foot or leg like Drinkwater did. Koscielny got a yellow for it, it was the right decision.

I can't believe you really think this is a pen from Mahrez. If those challenges are pens for you, then Giroud deserved one too for shirt pulling by Huth.

My bad, I didn't know he got a yellow for it.

Re: the penalty, any obstruction in the box should be a penalty, just like they are outside the box. The problem is the rules aren't strictly followed every single time, and that's why we refer to different incident that were either softer or harder.

I'm puzzled too! Can't believe he deems that bizarre and rather mis-timed dive to be a penalty. I mean, if you watch Premier League week in week out, it's ludicrous!

The thing in the buildup to Leicester's penalty was a blunder by Koscielny. If you look at a replay, he was trying to clear the danger with a diving header? But he was so off the mark that he took out Kanté instead, who tripped over his trailing body. Koscielny did get booked for that.
But in no way you can say that was a straight red, or even claim that he deliberately fouled Kanté. I've never seen anyone trying to take somebody's legs out with their head?

Anyway Lami, I think you're asking too much of a referee who let this one slide without so much as a verbal warning:

Yea for some reason I didn't notice Kos got a yellow for it. Watching the replay again he did look like he was trying to head it and was caught in an awkward situation.

And that tackle was obviously a red. No doubt at all there.

 

[Godotelli]

Vardy one was an Ashley Young/Robert Pires act of cheating.

Couldn't have really argued had the Mahrez pen been given tho. His right knee is stubbed by Monreal's shin. Monreal knew it too

 

[Lami]

Vardy one was an Ashley Young/Robert Pires act of cheating.

Couldn't have really argued had the Mahrez pen been given tho. His right knee is stubbed by Monreal's shin. Monreal knew it too

I agree with both.

 

[Rantboy]

Couldn't have really argued had the Mahrez pen been given tho. His right knee is stubbed by Monreal's shin. Monreal knew it too

The more I see that replay the less contact I notice. Didn't you even wonder why it took Mahrez about 5 times longer to hit the deck compared to what would've been a real foul? To me that's blatant cheating. If Vardy's was an Ashley Cole type of cheat, Mahrez's was full on Ashley Young.

As for Vardy's, although we see them given all the time, I don't like the narrative of "he had every right to provoke contact and go to ground" and "he has to earn a penalty for his team, his manager would have wanted him to go down" & etc, as seen on MOTD. This particular pearl of wisdom was dished out by Tim Sherwood BTW. Thus, although it scales high on the bullshit-o-meter, it still came from a pundit, in a condition of an opinion leader. That's why it bothers me, as it condones this mindset.

Not to mention it's shit like this that harks us back to the arguments on how holier-than-thou Englishmen get away with diving and "foreigners bring cheating" to this pristine league.

 

[bebo]

its simple a foreign dives its their culture to cheat (frown). English dives its clever (smiles) Remember JT is no adulter racist . He`s just dick limp careless and colourful depicted

 

[Rantboy]

8 minutes in and we're already being ripped off by Mike fucking Dean.
Blatant handball by Bruce to deny Elneny, right under his nose. How come this little cunt is still officiating I don't know.

 

[Godotelli]

Wenger loves FA Cup replays. You should be happy for him

 

[bebo]

Dean is more clever then Dowd !

 

[Godotelli]

Looks like Arteta might be coming to City to work as a coach under Pep

 

[drekkard]

Good luck tonight! I really think Arsenal can put Barça in danger, specially with speed in the wings and Giroud playing as target man.

Wenger should go for the match and do a high pressure to strangle Barça in the first half. Any other tactical approach would lessen the chances to put us in real danger.

 

[bebo]

Wenger starts off high intensity for the 1st 20 min. then he gets a bit lethargic . A draw or a win means nothing imo @home. There`s no way they`ll get a positive result away. All I hope we can give is a good fight n charge a title rout.

 

[gerd]

Arsenam might well win this evening.
Over the two legs, i don't think they can win...

IMO this Barcelona team will be the first club to win two successive CL's.

 

[Rantboy]

Very slim chances IMO. While Arsenal became a stronger team than seasons past, Barcelona seems to have also improved, if that was possible at all. This is one of the strongest Barcelona sides ever, if I'm not mistaken, their 31 matches unbeaten is a record?

Having said that, our very own Invincibles were knocked out of the CL by Ranieri's Chelsea (if I'm not mistaken) so there's still room for nice surprises in football.

I think it is key that Arsenal uses it aerial artillery with Giroud. I wanna see plenty of pressure high up the pitch and a shitload of crosses inside that box. I think that's how we could hurt them the most. Having watched Barcelona's La Liga recent outings, they seemed to have struggled with crosses and Giroud is a guy who can torment teams with that sort of weakness. Plus we have Özil, Alexis and the wide players who can make those crosses happen.

I just hope Wenger realises we can't beat them at their own style, otherwise it will be a script we've seen unravel before.

 

[beachryan]

Good luck!

 

[Rantboy]

Well, that was a great game of football but we didn't take our chances (and we had them!). What happens is, if you don't take them against a side like Barcelona, you're gonna suffer!

We were undone by a slick counter attack and a very unfortunate play by Mertesacker and Flamini that resulted in that penalty. Harsh but that's what it is in football. We were wasteful and we can't complain about our luck.

I hate to say "I told you so" but if we invested in more crosses into the box, we'd get more results. Giroud brought them some problems and made Ter Stegen work and later on Welbeck caused them some problems too. I just regret we didn't put enough balls inside that box and that Alexis was way off tonight by his standards.

2-0 seems harsh because of the silly penalty, but that's it, may Arsenal just keep it respectable on the 2nd leg and keep fighting for the league please!

 

[Godotelli]

You've got to be kicking yourself tonight.

Barca's front 3 had a real off day but you got carried away throwing men forward and bish bash bosh instantly 1-0 down.

Why did you buy Elneny if Flamini keeps being used? he's shocking.

 

[bebo]

2 things I notice, once Giroud pass to Theo while Theo wasn't there. I would of brought Welbzk in. Giroud should be scoring from that distance ,not laying a pass ffs! Why is Flamini playing ? again! I think for 70 minutes we frustrated Barca ,but the difference is night and day! Ox 6 yds out vs Messi 6yds out lol . Per bambi on ice again (He rather slide tackle from the half way line vs Neymar )

I was just saying Messi is rusty then goes n scores 2 goals. While Suarez was hardly getting a chance (strangely) It was 2 errors !!! It looks like Vermaelen may face his old club on the return leg.

 

[PIPA23]

Arsenal lost a won match yesterday...

blaming Flamini for that foul is harsh on him, he should not even come in in that situation imo... not to mention Mertesacker not clearing that ball and laying it basically to Messi...

again it seems Arsenal will go to second leg knowing they have very little chance of a comeback...

Yesterday they were the better team in first half and some parts in second half... but Barcelona are to good, one little mistake and it´s over...

Suarez realy should have scored yesterday but Cech was also amazing...

will be a difficult match in second leg, but if you play the same way as you played in first half yesterday.... who knows.

edit: how is Ramsey btw? would be bad if he missed EURO due to injury..

 

[bebo]

Giroud and Ramsey are very good players ,but very average vs the elite sides. To put it mildy they are just squad players at the end of the day. Arsenal has (3) very special players Ozil, Sanchez and Petr all rejects from their ex-clubs. Elite players can come from any club you just have to gamble on them or cut your loses. Jack needs to be cut...

 

[beachryan]

About 18 months ago I thought the Ox was a sure thing to become hugely influencial in that Arsenal side. But he really hasn't progressed a bit. His final ball decision making is so poor, probably cost Arsenal at least 1, possibly 2 goals. I guess he's still young, but gotta start improving soon!

You know who looked amazing when he came on? Danny Welbeck. Sob.

 

[PIPA23]

well Ramsey was one of best yesterday..he was realy everywhere..

 

[gerd]

IMO there is not a single team that stands a chance against this Barcelona team. Bayern come close, but they are merely a second best.

Still hope Atletico will win the CL, but their only chance is avoiding Barcelona and hoping that another team wins against Barcelona...this is Always possible over one match, but not over two legs...no chance at all.

Unless Barca loose players they can win the CL 3 or 4 times in a row...which is nice for Barcelona, but a disaster for football...

 

[Rantboy]

I can't see either what Wenger wants by using Flamini in such a crucial match. Was there something wrong with Coq? He wasn't on a yellow, was he injured or just tired?
Anyway, I agree on Elneny. It's frustrating to see a player who was set to leave out of a contract playing ahead of our new signing. I'm baffled just as the next man...

Now on to Mertesacker: I think he was splendid yesterday, he dealt with a couple of Messi shots inside the box and led the defence well. The only occasion where he was at fault was when he laid the ball on to Messi (why would you try to leave it to Flamini of all people, when you could just hack it clear?)
Overall our boys at the defence did well against opposition of that level, it ain't easy. Bellerin and Kos were caught off-guard and it nearly meant a goal by Neymar, but Cech was outstanding as ever.

As for Giroud, I like him and all, but there's something fundamentally wrong not only with him, but with the way this team attacks. I still think this is down to Wenger imposing his style too much. That Arsenal is the team with the least shots from outside the box and the team with the most passes inside it, is a known statistic... yet it speaks volumes.

Maybe I'm impatient, or maybe it has to do with the fact that I played centre forward at my footie sessions with friends... but if you're a Centre Forward, you should be looking to score from those situations that were presented to Giroud yesterday. It was even on his good leftie! The day a striker chooses to pass the ball sideways instead of having a go, I'd say they're either finished or there's self doubt. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this is something that should be instinct (which our forwards have been lacking).

As I said, I'd love to see a little more of objectivity. This team could really be more direct and put more crosses in. Giroud was prevailing against Masch and Pique and Welbeck, who did really well indeed when he came on, was also winning headers somewhat easily.

Unfortunatelly our manager doesn't seem to explore these things. It's that little bit more attention to detail that makes a difference and we're missing out...

 

[PIPA23]

Unless Barca loose players they can win the CL 3 or 4 times in a row...which is nice for Barcelona, but a disaster for football...

how is that a disaster?

i remember not a long time ago... well it is more than 10 years now actually.. Barcelona was in bad situation... and they build the team to perfection to enjoy this success..

Real bought Beckham and got rid of Makelele, Barcelona bough Ronaldinho and Edgar Davids, that is where it all started to differ, It was the breaking point. Even before Messi´s debut. Real went for money, Barcelona went for football...

Im all for Barcelona winning next 3-4 Champions League trophy´s. Why? Because they (unlike Real Madrid) build to become this...they played many youth players, blended them in and they became world superstars... Real would never give a chance to the likes of Busquets, Pedro, etc... i remember them wanting Iniesta one day.. but at the same time they produce a lot of their own players who never get the proper chance for plaing in first team..

So if Barcelona wins next 3-4 CL´s, wich is not impossible, i would love it. They deserve it because they are the best. Someone has to be the best.

sorry for OT.

 

[Rantboy]

how is that a disaster?

i remember not a long time ago... well it is more than 10 years now actually.. Barcelona was in bad situation... and they build the team to perfection to enjoy this success..

Real bought Beckham and got rid of Makelele, Barcelona bough Ronaldinho and Edgar Davids, that is where it all started to differ, It was the breaking point. Even before Messi´s debut. Real went for money, Barcelona went for football...

Im all for Barcelona winning next 3-4 Champions League trophy´s. Why? Because they (unlike Real Madrid) build to become this...they played many youth players, blended them in and they became world superstars... Real would never give a chance to the likes of Busquets, Pedro, etc... i remember them wanting Iniesta one day.. but at the same time they produce a lot of their own players who never get the proper chance for plaing in first team..

So if Barcelona wins next 3-4 CL´s, wich is not impossible, i would love it. They deserve it because they are the best. Someone has to be the best.

sorry for OT.

Hmmm, not so much as you say.
Alba, Alves, Mascherano, Arda Turan, Rakitic, and especially Suarez and Neymar. These guys cost a massive heap of cash.

I'd say they blend more local talent than Real, yes, but they still spend an insane budget on signings. Both Real and Barça spend are obscene, really! Put it into the context of Spanish football and we see how La Liga is such an unfair place...

 

[PIPA23]

i know, i´m talking about the Barcelona way to get to where they are now.

every team would spend if they have the money to do so...except maybe teams with gready owners...

Barcelona deserves the success, they are n. 1 team in world for a reason. Yes they have Messi, but the way they went in 2003 as i mentioned is the real change in philosophy and now they only taking the fruit of their work... they have massive revenue, because they build it for years. It seems the team is in peak now.. and could be for next 3-4 years untill Messi playes like he playes.

also there is no place for fairness in a world of football as we know it.. maybe there is fairness in MLS football, where nobody gets relegated, but not in Europe, best teams spend most and it is a hunt for success. Nothing is fair in a league where some teams can spend milions on one player and other have the same amount for the whole squad.

another thing is the myth of a club having to play local talents...realy? how many current CL clubs have more than 3-4 own players coming from academy? Does Arsenal play at least a single one? For comparsion... It isn´t about nationality anymore in today´s football, it is about quality...and Barcelona seem to go for a certain type of player to fit their system...in contrary to other big spending clubs who buy just to sell shirts or buy without thinking about the system...

what was wrong with Di María at Real? why Real needed to buy James? the answer is NOTHING and FOR NO REASON other than he was the new shining boy of world football after World Cup...