Arsenal suffered a triple blow on Tuesday night: Flamini's red card (more on which anon) Ramsey being ruled out with injury for 4-6 weeks, and dropping two points to Southampton. Let's not exaggerate matters: we're still in a good position and competing, in every sense of the word, on three fronts. Personally, though, I'm scared as to when things will start going really pear-shaped. Our position is almost too good to be true, particularly after a nightmare opening game of the season, and with achievements come expectations. It's difficult to explain, but I so passionately don't want us to fail that indeed falling away would relax me. Anyway, of course I hope we bounce back from those three setbacks from the other night and continue to stay in the mix for as long as possible. Even if it eventually breaks my heart.
I hate it when fans say, "We would've lost/drawn that game last season" when their team draws/wins. On what basis exactly, can you make that statement? It's impossible to compare performances months apart, never mind from previous seasons, even against the same opposition. Teams change - in terms of form, players available, tactics, sometimes managers, confidence, etc. In the same way it's unfair to say Chelsea are worse this season than last because they drew with West Ham at home while last season they beat them, it's also inaccurate to suggest they're better this season purely because they won at Southampton, while last season they lost there ("We would've lost that last season"). A team can be judged, as to whether they have improved or not, on their final results in May. It's wrong to point to certain games and make comparisons to similar fixtures last season/a few months ago, and decide if a particular team is on an upwards trajectory or not.
Flamini was stupid to get sent off during the 2-2 draw against Southampton, but was he unlucky? He certainly let down his team-mates by putting in a two-footed challenge that earned him a red card. It was silly and unnecessary. I love his passion and work rate, but above all, you've got to play with your head screwed on. Going into a challenge with two feet off the ground gives the referee a decision to make, no matter the consequence of the tackle. However, Manchester United right-back Rafael committed a similar offence in the match vs Chelsea earlier this month and escaped with a yellow card alone. Like Flamini's, Rafael's challenge was made far away from the goal and, truth be told, he won the ball, perhaps fortunately. How come Rafael received a caution by the ref, yet Flamini was sent off and must now endure a 3-match suspension? Ultimately, I think fans most crave consistency from the refs. That's the real frustration for me. The decision to award Flamini a red card and Rafael a yellow is a classic example of referees' inconsistency. Sort it out!
Written by Sam Whitefield
Twitter: @SamTheGooner
I hate it when fans say, "We would've lost/drawn that game last season" when their team draws/wins. On what basis exactly, can you make that statement? It's impossible to compare performances months apart, never mind from previous seasons, even against the same opposition. Teams change - in terms of form, players available, tactics, sometimes managers, confidence, etc. In the same way it's unfair to say Chelsea are worse this season than last because they drew with West Ham at home while last season they beat them, it's also inaccurate to suggest they're better this season purely because they won at Southampton, while last season they lost there ("We would've lost that last season"). A team can be judged, as to whether they have improved or not, on their final results in May. It's wrong to point to certain games and make comparisons to similar fixtures last season/a few months ago, and decide if a particular team is on an upwards trajectory or not.
Flamini was stupid to get sent off during the 2-2 draw against Southampton, but was he unlucky? He certainly let down his team-mates by putting in a two-footed challenge that earned him a red card. It was silly and unnecessary. I love his passion and work rate, but above all, you've got to play with your head screwed on. Going into a challenge with two feet off the ground gives the referee a decision to make, no matter the consequence of the tackle. However, Manchester United right-back Rafael committed a similar offence in the match vs Chelsea earlier this month and escaped with a yellow card alone. Like Flamini's, Rafael's challenge was made far away from the goal and, truth be told, he won the ball, perhaps fortunately. How come Rafael received a caution by the ref, yet Flamini was sent off and must now endure a 3-match suspension? Ultimately, I think fans most crave consistency from the refs. That's the real frustration for me. The decision to award Flamini a red card and Rafael a yellow is a classic example of referees' inconsistency. Sort it out!
Written by Sam Whitefield
Twitter: @SamTheGooner