Emirites || Arsnl-Pool || Ref

The Emirites would’ve produced a definite result yesterday but for the intervention of the Ref Howard Webb. The game started off well, with both sides settling down well. Liverpool settled down faster than Arsenal. But, Gunners were the first to get the break through at 24" with a splendid finish by Van Persie. A perfect pass from Nasri and a great first touch and control by VanPersie. He’s sometimes criticized for hitting the ball too hard when not really necessary. But yesterday, he shot the ball so hard that it was virtually impossible for Reina to react so fast. Any football fan would standup and clap for that finish.

Then came the complacency in Arsenal. They started sitting back when they should’ve gone for it and looked to extend the lead. Anyways, thanks to the inexperience of Djourou and clinical finish by Robbie Keane, Pool managed to get the equalizer.

Until then, Howard Webb was doing OK…making some bad decisions once in a while. By now, he should’ve realized that it wasn’t his day and he should’ve atleast tried to stay put and do his best. The first yellow card of Adebayor was a total crap. And the second one was surely a yellow card. But it could never be a second yellow that could lead to a red. But yet, Webb chose to make a difference. He didn’t want the match to take it’s shape in due course of time. Probably he was bored…so, he wanted to add a twist in the tale. Like the reality shows that bring in the wild card entries when the show is getting boring.

But it didn’t go any good either. Atleast, he didn’t make it a point to maintain consistency in whatever he doing. When there was a heavy tackle on Gerrard just outside the penalty box, it wasn’t given. Anyone with a pair of eyes (and glasses if required :-P) would’ve agreed that it was a foul. But, Webb chose to be different yet again !

Arsenal lost its front guns and Liverpool were sitting back and planning to settle for a draw. Right from the beginning, Andy Gray has been telling that Rafa would go for a draw. He would be defensive and stick to a draw and would try to stay in Top2 of the table and look for some luck from Gods at the end of the season. Interestingly, the cup eludes anyone who don’t GO for it. At times, too much strategy kills the spirit of the game.

As a Gooner, I would’ve been happier if Arsenal had managed to win the game. I was pretty happy that they atleast managed to get a point out of it. But, as a football fan, I was very disappointed that the game didn’t give us a true result. The game was never going for a draw….there was a definite result all over it…could be on anyone’s favour. But, Ref intervened and spoiled the game. Infact, I would’ve been happier if the game produced a result (even if it was against Arsenal). I’m a football fan first and then a Gooner.(thnx kuyil)

Btw, Arsenal are going nowhere this season. I think they would settle down for a 4th position. I don’t think Aston Villa has the consistency to hold on to the 4th place. Arsenal has a great team only when (Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy) do the defending, (Walcott-Febregas-Denilson-Nasri) play in the midfield and (Adebayor/Eduardo-VanPersie) play up front. Anything other than this would spoil the rhythm of the game. A passing game needs rhythm. Without that, there’s no meaning to that kind of game. Rest of the players like Song, Eboue and Diaby are not natural passers of the ball. Song and Eboue are not footballers in my point of view. Diaby would fit into more attacking positions, similar to Babel. So, Wenger should look to expand his team in proper direction rather than getting dummies like Eboue and Song. He should get true replacements. I hope he doesn’t some Christmas shopping this time.