Fabregas
The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Fabregas
By Boris Mellor
April 9 2008
In my preview, and on the official Liverpool web site seven days ago, I predicted that the three matches would end with a dreadful sting in the tail. What I couldn't predict was who would suffer it. But tonight it became clear as the irony of a late penalty was awarded to Babel in almost the same place that a penalty was denied to Hleb.
Fabregas
April 9 2008
In my preview, and on the official Liverpool web site seven days ago, I predicted that the three matches would end with a dreadful sting in the tail. What I couldn't predict was who would suffer it. But tonight it became clear as the irony of a late penalty was awarded to Babel in almost the same place that a penalty was denied to Hleb.
A mate text me, "must be nice to get a penalty when you need one", they say that your luck evens out over the season, so when it does its going to be great. In the first leg Hleb was clearly fouled in the box by Kuyt, a definite penalty. The Babel penalty looked far dodgier, Perry Groves called it a Kop penalty, they asked for it, and the referee gave it to them. Frank Mclintock was also definite it wasn't a penalty.
Afterwards Rafa said he didn't see the penalty. I can't wait to hear the jokes about that in the press. Ha ha he didn't see it. Senderos and Toure got yellows for doing very little; but Mascherano was given a licence to foul all night without punishment. Quite rightly Flamini refused to shake the dirty little creep's hand.
Luck and Bacary
To win anything you need a little luck, but Arsenal are no longer lucky, maybe that's partly because you make your own luck. Wenger is not wrong about the lousy refereeing decisions, but he has also contributed to his own downfall. On Sunday 23 rd March Bacary Sagna was injured, up to that time Arsenals first choice defence was doing ok, conceding only a goal a game, punctuated with the occasional clean sheet.
When Sagna went off against Chelsea Arsenal conceded two goals, another two against Bolton, and seven in three games against Liverpool. Seven!!! (correction 6 in 3 games, and seven over the four matches played in total) The fault has to lie with Wenger's team selection, Toure is not a right back and it shows. Yet Wenger has no faith in Eboue at right back, and none in Hoyte, come to that nor do the rest of us. So it's hardly surprising that Wenger has not been able to reorganise the defence.
The reason Arsenal lost the game at Liverpool wasn't just down to a dodgy penalty decision, it was also down to a lot of dodgy defending.
Wenger's luck went with Sagna; I don't believe he should have bought that many players in January, but a class defender would have made sense. We only have two class defenders now, Gallas and Clichy, the rest are washed up, apart from Sagna who cannot recover quickly enough. Toure might recover back in the middle, but he and Gallas don't exactly work well together.
I think Wenger made a mistake on Saturday, never cash in today for the future, because you don't know what the future will bring. Arsenal could have beaten a poor Liverpool on Saturday, with a stronger side, and three points in the bag. Instead that was traded in for a possible CL win, but in fact it has ended with neither, but what will be hard to recover is confidence.
Positive note
What a fantastic run and cross by Theo, I wrote after the Birmingham game he had arrived. Wenger must now use him far more, he is becoming an impact player.
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The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 09:25
The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: perrygroves (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 09:33
mugged by the scousers...i was expecting to go home and see my house robbed also....why does every game we play get split by a penalty decision...
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 09:53
Diaby was also a positive for me. Played well in Milan and Liverpool. ON THE LEFT. I cant wait until he is properly used as back up to Cesc.
Theo is another great positive from yesterday. It can only improve his confidence.
I cant be bothered to go on about the decisions against us anymore. I can't make any sense of it, the sheer amount. And they're all crucial decisions.
Toure was playing very well at right back all game. He's not a rb, but what else did he do wrong? And the penalty he didn't do much wrong. Maybe he could have fouled babel outside the box or on the byline, but then if they scored from that he'd still get blamed.
I think our defence is good when at full strength. Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy. My preferred back up would be (not all starting together, but one coming in when needed) Eboue Song Djourou Traore. Senderos has been here how many seasons now, and every season he makes so many howlers. Has he improved at all, think about it. He has been this good/bad since day 1.
Think we just need one or two wingers so eboue can go to right back and diaby can be a back up to cesc.
I wont blame wenger or the players because he/they have done really well this season considering the key injuries and dodgy refs.
Arsene, stick to your guns mate!
Theo is another great positive from yesterday. It can only improve his confidence.
I cant be bothered to go on about the decisions against us anymore. I can't make any sense of it, the sheer amount. And they're all crucial decisions.
Toure was playing very well at right back all game. He's not a rb, but what else did he do wrong? And the penalty he didn't do much wrong. Maybe he could have fouled babel outside the box or on the byline, but then if they scored from that he'd still get blamed.
I think our defence is good when at full strength. Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy. My preferred back up would be (not all starting together, but one coming in when needed) Eboue Song Djourou Traore. Senderos has been here how many seasons now, and every season he makes so many howlers. Has he improved at all, think about it. He has been this good/bad since day 1.
Think we just need one or two wingers so eboue can go to right back and diaby can be a back up to cesc.
I wont blame wenger or the players because he/they have done really well this season considering the key injuries and dodgy refs.
Arsene, stick to your guns mate!
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: perrygroves (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 10:28
How can you blame him for last nite...THOUGH....when the Flamster went off...he should have moved Diaby to middle and brought on Theo for Eboue...
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 10:28
Yes you are right Diaby was another positive, I wish we could get him alongside Fab instead of Gilberto when needed
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 10:29
Uh, boris, think you'll find Liverpool scored 6 goals in 3 games against us, not 7!!!
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 10:44
Who me perry? I'm not blaming any arsenal player. All have done me extremely proud. As has Wenger. Love the guy, he deserves so much better.
Exactly Padre. Cesc, Flamini are both top quality as we all know now. And I honestly still believe Diaby can be our next Vieira, just with more skill, pace and shooting ability. I love it when he plays well, it's like I'm watching PV4 all over again. I'd be gutted if he left because he isn't getting chances.
Exactly Padre. Cesc, Flamini are both top quality as we all know now. And I honestly still believe Diaby can be our next Vieira, just with more skill, pace and shooting ability. I love it when he plays well, it's like I'm watching PV4 all over again. I'd be gutted if he left because he isn't getting chances.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 10:58
Let flams f off, and diaby should take up his position next to fabs. Those 2 together could be immense!!!
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: perrygroves (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 14:57
What is driving me to drink is the way we score...then 5-10 mins later the opposition will score...everytime these days.....why did'nt on the players just collapse and cool down the game?? its things like that that you need players thinking about.......
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 15:27
Actually its 2-3 mins later
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: twinnny (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 15:33
Jeff Winter and Kenny Samson, non biased views. Sorry to spoil the party. Arsenal only have themselves to blame, Manure and Chelski would have made it far more difficult for us to score. Even though arsenal undoubtedley play the best football in the world, the always have a look of vulnerability at the back. That is fact. Good luck sunday.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 15:38
I am not saying that penaltys only reason, but the two decisions were wrong.
You need some luck to win anything, I wish we were lucky, but we are not.
You need some luck to win anything, I wish we were lucky, but we are not.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: twinnny (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 15:45
padre, you should have had a penalty at Emirates but surely you should have won the game regardless. Arsenal have a problem of finishing ties off as we did earlier in the season and at the back they are a shambles. The penalty decision is taking away the emphasis that these issues need to be resolved or you will struggle in big games a la chelsea game a few weeks ago and liverpool game last night.
kudos fot the great football, but that needs to go hand in hand with trophies in order to be a successful side.
kudos fot the great football, but that needs to go hand in hand with trophies in order to be a successful side.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Zainy (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 15:51
Twinny- i dont think any arsenal fan is blinded by the bad decisions we got. We all know where our problems lie and have been harping on about them for months.
But we are arsenal fans here- we watch -all- our matches, and if you did the same you would see the amount of decisions that go against us. No one thinks its a conspiracy but it has happened all the same and it leaves us with a really sickening feeling in the pits of our stomachs- all topped off with lasts nights cherry of a decision.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:09:16:07:24 by Zainy.
But we are arsenal fans here- we watch -all- our matches, and if you did the same you would see the amount of decisions that go against us. No one thinks its a conspiracy but it has happened all the same and it leaves us with a really sickening feeling in the pits of our stomachs- all topped off with lasts nights cherry of a decision.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:09:16:07:24 by Zainy.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: BIGSNOOP (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 16:01
I'm sorry thats to harsher viewpoint to take Twinnny in fact I'm tempted to say if the shoe was on the other foot would you be so blazy about it.
The facts are that in these tight games the ref's decision's can oftern make or break a season.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: lovefire (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 16:11
diaby is the closest attack minded central mid field player to fabregas if u dont count hleb that is....i hope he can develop into a viera or petit
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: twinnny (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 16:21
Willy, I sympathize with your views and the majority of my friends are gooners, but the way it is being made out is as if we are cheats, babel dived, we are lucky and do not deserve to be playing in CL. That is unacceptable and I was one of those who clapped off arsenal players at anfield 6-3 last year so a bit of mutual respect rather thank blinkers would be admired. however this cannot be expected from some.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: perrygroves (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 17:38
The problem is Twinny once again in Liverpool big games it is once again down to bad reffing especially in the case of the two penalties....its not about the football which we played best..the ref could'nt wait to blow into the Kop end......if Torres or Babel walzed around our defence and blasted a winner then id shake your hand abliet with disappointment BUT in two legs we get nothing from the ref....NOTHING! and people say we are bad losers but you'll find most gunners are fine about losing but it always seems to be tainted by @#$%& decisions recently.....I mean if we were going to Anfield with a 2-1 lead then it was a different game in the second leg.....Twinny your two creative midfielders were appalling, Ive never seen Alonso and Gerrard play so bad. Passes going out of play, consistently booting it long....sitting deeper then a submarine. I admire the fans and players but Benetiz will never deliver you a league because although his tactics work in 2 legged cup ties..but over 39 league games his defensive mindset does'nt work as teams outside top 4 play the same as him for the most part when the play the top teams. Today i think we are entitled a moan as a soft penalty was given to you at Anfield and denied to us by a @#$%& of a ref at the Emirates. Our defense was poor for your goals and Wegner has to take responsibility but he has enough against him then the refs not giving clear decisions against us and in our opponents favour....NEVER A PROBLEM LOSING ON MERIT BUT NOT WHEN A REF(S) GIVES A VERY CLEAR HAND IN OUR CL DEMISE THEN WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO STATE OUR CASE...
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Zainy (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 17:43
We havent lost many games this season but i think apart from the recent chelsea match Arsenal fans have accepted those defeats as fair and made no excuses for our poor performances in those matches.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 18:03
Will Sagna be fit for Old Trafford at the weekend?
I actually fancy you to go out and beat the Mancs now.
It will be interesting to see if Ferdinand is fit for that game - I won´t be surprised if he´s rested tonight and they end up having a real scare of a game.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
I actually fancy you to go out and beat the Mancs now.
It will be interesting to see if Ferdinand is fit for that game - I won´t be surprised if he´s rested tonight and they end up having a real scare of a game.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Zainy (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 18:15
all we know is he 'may be' fit. nothing certain just yet.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 19:07
That means he will be.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: Gooner_Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 19:18
Looks like Rio is starting tonight so he'll be back
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
___________________________________________________________
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" (Wenger - take note)
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: ArsenalForever (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 19:32
a miracle
after the horrible injuries and suspensions for Manutd this season they get a lucky break with Rio
fuc.king lucky @#$%&
after the horrible injuries and suspensions for Manutd this season they get a lucky break with Rio
fuc.king lucky @#$%&
Re: The Sting - Liverpool Kop Penalty - Bacary Missed
Posted by: M.I.A (IP Logged)
Date: 09/04/2008 19:34
i was watchin the game wit an arsenal fanatic, man, when walcott made that run, and byor put it away, we all thought it had to be arsenals night!!!!
but after that.................
ouch
but after that.................
ouch
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