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Editorial
Ten Gunners gunning - Liverpool hold Arsenal at the Emirates
Twelve play ten as the referee dictates the game for Liverpool with an Adebayor sending off, says Arsenal fan and WeLoveCamden reader, Christian Kent.
Going into the weekend, with Arsenal placed 5th and Liverpool holding strong at the top of the table, listening to Liverpool fans, including the one sitting next to me at the game, the result had been decided before Howard Webb blew his whistle.
On paper, Arsenal fans might have stayed at home. Especially when also kicking off at 4pm on Sunday was 'The Worlds Strongest Man'.
A welcome report over the wireless before the game was that Bendtner had been injured - watching him linger in the box like a lame duck is never that much fun. Surely he will go on loan in January?
Those that did follow their heart and made the journey to the Emirates were in for a result dictated by the referee. With 6 yellow cards and a red for Adebayor, it was not the Christmas treat that we had all hoped for; Chestnuts would have roasted on the fire building up between the players. With the Salvation Army playing "oh come all ye faithful", the bells of Santa's sleigh jingling against the backdrop of "Ooh to, Ooh to be, Ooh to be a Gunner" and the crowd supping on hot chocolate and Bovril, it was not until after the Adebayor sending off that the Merseysiders felt the power of the then 10 Gunners Gunning.
Benitez was on his sick bed following the removal of kidney stones, the stress of managing a team like Liverpool must be getting to him.
I guess when you only have two good players (Gerrard and Torres) that is what happens - people criticise the Arsenal team but with 'talent' like Lukas and Babel, winning the Premiership is going to be tough.
Actually watching Liverpool yesterday, they looked quite good, passing well with good control of the ball...but I predict their chances of winning the league are fairly slim, my money would be on Manchester United who although beaten at home by Arsenal could have won that game 7-2.
The first goal from Van Persie proved that he is world class on a good day. Superb control after an excellent long ball from Nasri, who did little else for the rest of the game and was later substituted for Eboue (fortunately the fans cheered him on this time, it is Christmas after all).
The equaliser came from Keane just before the break - a good strike, but an error from Djourou. In the second half (62) Adebayor was sent off for a second yellow as Arbeloa fell to the floor as if he had been struck.
Quoting Adebayor - "The defender threw himself on the floor as if I put a knife in him." Howard Webb immediately sent him off - a decision that many did not agree with and ultimately cost Arsenal two points.
In summary, the first half was equally balanced and the second half although dominated by Liverpool for the first 15 minutes was led by Arsenal thereafter.
A shame that the game was so badly refereed and if Adebayor had not been sent off in what was a highly controversial decision, Arsenal may have won it. Chants of "You're not fit to referee" and "the Referee is a [wally]" will be nagging at Arsenal fans through Christmas. Next stop Aston Villa (a massive game) and with an eight point gap, playing for Champions League qualification should be Wenger's number one aim. That is if he is still around???
With Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's 15.9 per cent loose and Usmanaov having to make a mandatory offer for the club if his shareholding goes over 30 per cent it looks quite possible the keys to the Emirates may change hands in the New Year.
And here's an interesting question - would Wenger thrive with millions to spend on players?
1 Comment
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A very interesting and well written article. As a fellow Gooner i also wonder how well Wenger will do with millions in the war chest. Carry on the good work Mr Kent.