Match Threads Tottenham vs Arsenal : Match Thread.

[mark87]

Gooner friend getting annoyed that I won't accept we were lucky with a point, it's really winding him up.

 

[easley91]

I don't think anything really buddy. I just understand that some people don't feel the need (or see the purpose) to get angry or abusive over something they literally can't do anything about.

I don't think they defend the club/owners regardless of what they have or haven't done. I just think they are perhaps more accepting of the fact that nothing is ever perfect and, despite the fact that there ARE things to be unhappy about, there are 17 teams beneath is in the PL who would love to be in our position.

And countless others in the lower leagues, some of which will have battled against going out of business, and in some cases more than once. We're lucky to still be where we are, especially after where we were. I think there are people who really need to get perspective.

I did want to ask in here though as haven't been on anything all day, has anyone (aside VDV as I read he did) bring up the Xhaka studs on the back of Kane's leg? BT didn't bring it up at half-time. Did they after?

 

[Phomesy]

Certainly didn't deserve to lose, and for me we were the better team. Now maybe that doesn't equate to deserving to win, but we were the better side overall.

Eriksen had big chance first half.

this was my impression as well. First half like the Untied game - we had the better chances and controlled the game and went in behind.

Second half we got a bit desperate but that's down to desire and where we are at mentally at the moment. But we were going for it hell for leather and the goal ws coming.

Problem is - once we got the goal the fucking ref blew up constantly for everything. We couldn't get any sustained pressure on. Players were rightly getting very frustrated with the officiating. Late there were two instances of "high boot" within a minute. The ref ignored the Arsenal high boot the blew up against Sissoko I think for EXACTLY the same thing.

I'm obviously biased but I think we've been on the receiving end of some very harsh refereeing this season. The penalty decision was the icing on a very bitter cake.

 

[Mr Pink]

this was my impression as well. First half like the Untied game - we had the better chances and controlled the game and went in behind.

Second half we got a bit desperate but that's down to desire and where we are at mentally at the moment. But we were going for it hell for leather and the goal ws coming.

Problem is - once we got the goal the fucking ref blew up constantly for everything. We couldn't get any sustained pressure on. Players were rightly getting very frustrated with the officiating. Late there were two instances of "high boot" within a minute. The ref ignored the Arsenal high boot the blew up against Sissoko I think for EXACTLY the same thing.

I'm obviously biased but I think we've been on the receiving end of some very harsh refereeing this season. The penalty decision was the icing on a very bitter cake.

Mate from where I was sitting, I saw loads of these little battles and the ref was awarding them everything, it was literally staggering. Yes a few were fouls, but I lost count the amount of times he awarded a foul and there wasn't one.

It felt like Arsenal were the home team as they were getting the rub of thr green constantly.

I was right beside the Gooners, and went mental when Hugo saved the pen!!!

 

[ardiles]

We badly need Eriksen to be back to his best ASAP.

He is the important link between our defence and attack.

 

[Gb160]

I just have a couple of points:

1. How bad do Trippier and Aurier have to be for KWP to get into the team?

2. When is a ref ever going to punish time-wasting?
We have seen several matches this year when the opposition starts to waste time early in the first half. It happened again today as soon as the goons scored. Today's ref (who I thought had an absolute shocker) seemed to warn Koscielny about it in the first half but then did nothing. All we ever see is somebody booked with a couple of minutes left. If refs booked players for time-wasting earlier in the match and kept doing it, either it would stop and the fans would get better value for money, or some body would get a second yellow. It's about time this was clamped down on.

Maybe KWP isn't thought of as highly by Poch, as he is by the experts on here?

 

[daryl hannah]

Gooner friend getting annoyed that I won't accept we were lucky with a point, it's really winding him up.

You should point out that Mustafi nudged Kane into an offside position before our penalty.

That'll really annoy him.

 

[joey.leone]

The trouble is the forwards didn't really have sight of the ball either so found it difficult to show for it in a crowded central area. I didn't like the shape at all today. I personally prefer inverted wide attackers with attacking fullbacks. There's too often the fullbacks have to try and run half a pitch length without anyone to pass too. Arsenal kept showing us down blind alleys in the first half. The fullbacks work better when they play inside and then overlap. Son tried to show down the right in the first half but I think he works better on the other side and found himself running away from goal on the right wing. Sissoko was much better in the second half playing more on that side and Son switching sides.

It seems to me the players prefer to play 4231. If Dier and Winks are back soon I would go with those 2 in the middle, shift Sissoko to the right of the 3 with Son on the left.

Agree with pretty much everything you say. Blind alleys sums it up perfectly.

I think we should ditch both the diamond, and the 3412, atleast for a few games.

 

[spurs mental]

This is so unfair to Sanchez. he did NOTHING wrong in that play. Took Auba wide. Kept tight and close legally.

It was a dive and a shocking referee decision.

Have a go at Sanchez for his other mistakes but that instance was perfect defensive play and it was a disgrace by both Aubameyang and the referee.

Once again, I'm not disputing that it was a dive and a poor decision. My gripe is with how rash he can be and was today and I think that played in the referees mind when Aubamayang went down.

 

[Phomesy]

You should point out that Mustafi nudged Kane into an offside position before our penalty.

That'll really annoy him.

Me and my mate noticed exactly this at the time. Mustafi was repeatedly shoving Kane into an offside position at set pieces. ref, of course, did nothing.

Karma.

 

[Phomesy]

Once again, I'm not disputing that it was a dive and a poor decision. My gripe is with how rash he can be and was today and I think that played in the referees mind when Aubamayang went down.

But he wasn't rash at all. He played the situation perfectly. It was great defending.

He's 22 isn't he?

 

[Mr Pink]

By the way when Kane scored the header in the first half was it off side?

Went mental when that went in lol

 

[mark87]

By the way when Kane scored the header in the first half was it off side?

Went mental when that went in lol

Apparently so, but I do wonder if it was due to another Mustafi shove special.

 

[chinaman]

We badly need Eriksen to be back to his best ASAP.

He is the important link between our defence and attack.

Think he's banking on leaving us and wouldn't risk an injury.

 

[spurs mental]

But he wasn't rash at all. He played the situation perfectly. It was great defending.

He's 22 isn't he?

You're not grasping this concept are you? Throughout the game he committed some rash challenges and fouls. This may have played on the mind of the referee as Sanchez shepherded Aubamayang away and he fell over. At no point have I disagreed that Sanchez did nothing wrong. I'm saying in the over all scheme of the game Sanchez was rash and this may have effected the referees thinking.

 

[Phomesy]

You're not grasping this concept are you? Throughout the game he committed some rash challenges and fouls. This may have played on the mind of the referee as Sanchez shepherded Aubamayang away and he fell over. At no point have I disagreed that Sanchez did nothing wrong. I'm saying in the over all scheme of the game Sanchez was rash and this may have effected the referees thinking.

I've grasped your concept fine.

I think its a shit concept.

Nothing should "play on the mind of the referee" other than what is actually taking place before his eyes.

You're acting like Sanchez was diving in all game rashly like Serge on crack - this simply isn't true.

 

[Phomesy]

Think he's banking on leaving us and wouldn't risk an injury.

That's a pretty shit thing to say about a player.

Do you really think Poch would play him if this were even remotely a chance of being true?

Eriksen's never ever been "strong in the tackle". To accuse him of this is pretty shite imo.

 

[Finchyid]

Mate from where I was sitting, I saw loads of these little battles and the ref was awarding them everything, it was literally staggering. Yes a few were fouls, but I lost count the amount of times he awarded a foul and there wasn't one.

It felt like Arsenal were the home team as they were getting the rub of thr green constantly.

I was right beside the Gooners, and went mental when Hugo saved the pen!!!

Kane was grappled to the floor in a headlock, he gave a free kick against Kane. The ref was shocking, he got the pen right but I agree with you he gave so much more to them

 

[spurs mental]

I've grasped your concept fine.

I think its a shit concept.

Nothing should "play on the mind of the referee" other than what is actually taking place before his eyes.

You're acting like Sanchez was diving in all game rashly like Serge on crack - this simply isn't true.

He committed some brainless fouls throughout the game. He mistimed his header and cost us the first goal. I'm not making it up.

And you're right it shouldn't play on the mind of referees. But things clearly do. Like Bale "diving" a few years ago. The same with Dele. The Mike Dean thing. They all effect the mind of the referee.

 

[ardiles]

Poch should show the players a video of the Clasico that is going on now.

The off-the-ball movements by the Barca players is brilliant.