Despite the fact that this match was going to be televised, I’ve always felt that there is no point in having a season ticket to watch our beloved lads play if the moment that the match is on the television one stays home in the armchair. So it was that I met up with Will and his Gooner mate, Alex in Guildford for the journey north to Birmingham. Jonny, my elder son had of course, spent New Year’s Eve in an alcoholic haze in Bristol with his mates. He had resolved to drive up to Birmingham separately with Elliott, a long-standing school chum of his who also happens to be an Arsenal supporter. It is usually Jonny or Will who are tardy but in Jonny’s absence, Will’s time-keeping was out by twenty minutes, he says, because Alex was late! I always say that it’s a good job none of them ever served in the military like I did because they would all have spent their whole time in clink! 😀
The journey back home from the Manchester United game 72 hours earlier had been very difficult for Will because of the intense fog on the motorway. I’m glad to say that the weather was somewhat kinder and the visibility much better for our journey up to Baginton to meet up with Chris at The Oak Pub. Will and I stopped for a restorative pint and a steak sandwich before joining Chris the short journey to St Andrews. We called in as usual to the George pub where Chris grabbed a quick hog roast bap before the game. Jonny and Elliott eventually joined us for a pint but by the look of the pair of them it was a case of “the hair of the dog!”
In recent times, games against Arsenal seem to have been very contentious. This match was to prove no different. Like many in the 24,000 crowd, I was looking forward to a sterling performance against a very talented Arsenal side that contained eight changes from the one that faced Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening. Arsene Wenger had gone back to the team that so comprehensibly defeated Chelsea the game before. In the early exchanges, a robust tackle by Roger Johnson on Cesc Fabregas following a heavy touch by the centre half left the Spaniard writhing around in agony despite the fact that Johnson had clearly won the ball. Roger Johnson’s momentum had clearly hurt the Arsenal player but in no way was the tackle malicious. The commentator on Match of the Day made ridiculous and stupid references to the Eduardo incident involving Martin Taylor. This Pavlovian response is inappropriate, as was his further comment that it was a poor challenge. Whilst I can accept that despite winning the ball the incident still warranted a free kick because of the follow-through into the player, I do not agree that the yellow card brandished by the referee at the behest of the baying Arsenal crowd was necessary. This early incident served only to give the match a sour edge and this was increased by the manner of the first goal to the visitors on 13 minutes. Robin van Persie running away from goal in the inside right channel clearly dived as he ran across Scott Dann’s path. The linesman rightly made no reaction and there was a pause as play continued before Mr Walton, the referee finally decided that a free kick should be awarded. This produced bedlam and indignant protest from the home crowd. The perpetrator of this injustice then immediately sprang to his feet to strike a fierce left footed free kick against Lee Bowyer whose unlucky deflection carried it past the helpless Ben Foster in goal. This is now the second game running against these opponents that one of their centre forwards has cheated to gain an unfair advantage that was not rightfully theirs. I refer of course, to the award of a penalty kick at the Emirates earlier in the season when Chamakh went down in instalments before remembering that he needed to drag his foot on the defender’s when virtually horizontal. The present incident and the past misdemeanour resulted in an unpleasant and hostile atmosphere for the rest of the match.
Four minutes later, Sebastian Larsson curled an excellent free kick from 25 yards over the Arsenal wall towards the far corner. Only an excellent save by Fabianski prevented the equalising goal. Play was fairly even for the rest of the half but Birmingham were having to work very hard off the ball to contain the dangerous Arsenal midfielders who as we all know pass the ball for fun. However, Blues did create chances the best of which fell to Roger Johnson just before the break. A headed flick on by Cameron Jerome dipped invitingly for the defender 8 yards out. His side footed attempt flew over the bar when it was easier to score. This was a glorious chance which Birmingham would come to regret squandering. On 35 min, Robin van Persie clearly handled the ball as he came across from a corner. Everybody in the ground saw the offence except it seems Mr Walton and his linesman. This was a cue for angry booing from the understandably incensed home support.
If the first half was feisty and competitive the second proved to be completely one-sided and a master class from Arsenal in just how good football can be when played at pace with dazzling movement and nonchalant finishing. Blues were simply cut to pieces by a rampant Arsenal midfield containing Theo Walcott, whose cross to the back post was teed up for Jack Wilshere by Samir Nasri. This breathtaking move did not yield the result its brilliance deserved as unfortunately Wilshere put a side foot volley into the crowd just over the bar and Blues escaped. They did so again when Johnson carelessly gave the ball away and the outstanding Nasri set off from the centre circle straight at Foster’s goal. He raced right into the area with Stephen Carr and Scott Dann flailing in his wake but Foster stood up brilliantly and managed to get a hand to his shot. A second goal was inevitable as Birmingham were systematically dissected by the remorseless Arsenal machine and so it was in the 58th minute, Nasri and Fabregas exchanged passes in midfield to slice open Blues again and Nasri, just outside the area, rifled in an unstoppable shot to the bottom corner as Scott Dann back pedalled when an attack on the ball was called for. Things worsened in the 66th minute when Nasri and Fabregas again ran rings round Blues. Nasri was shepherded into the outside channel but it made little difference as from an acute angle at the near post his powerful shot beat out by the overworked Foster resulted in an agonising ping-pong between Dann and Johnson as the ball rebounded off the latter’s shins and over the line.
The three nil score line hardly flattered Arsenal who in the second half were so superior in every department of the game that it was both depressing and embarrassing to watch equal measure. The cruel chants of the Arsenal crowd “you’ve got Lee Bowyer, we’ve got Cesc Fabregas!” just about summed up the reality of the situation Blues found themselves in. This was a comprehensive trouncing by a side containing players the like of which I do not believe Birmingham City could ever aspire to possessing in my lifetime or probably ever. The taunts from the opposition fans also highlight the unhealthy nature of the professional game in this country. The top teams concentrate the vast majority of the truly class players leading to ultimately a lack of competitiveness in the game where only the rich and powerful can prevail at the expense of the also-rans. The Premier League only has to do cast its eyes north to Scotland to appreciate that ultimately the public tires of the product, the money runs out, the mercenary drift away and the quality of the game collapses at domestic and international level. On a positive note, young Wilshire celebrating his 19th birthday and Walcott played their part in the destruction of the Birmingham team and at least they are English. However, most of the truly top class players in the Premier league come from foreign shores.
Birmingham commence the year in the bottom three and despite the fact that we have one or two games in hand on our rivals, our lack of form is deeply concerning. The fact that we lost to arguably the best pure footballing side in the Premier League is not the issue; it is the fact that once again we completely failed to test the Arsenal defence which is acknowledged to be suspect in its centre and to be backed up by one of the most dodgy goalkeepers anywhere around. Apart from Sebastian Larsson’s free kick in the first half and one or two crosses in the last 5 min of the game when his blushes were saved by one or two generous free kick awards in his favour by Mr Walton, Fabianski may as well have been sitting next to his manager or indeed his manager could easily have deputised as Arsene Wenger flaps his arms around equally effectively!
I confess to being somewhat concerned at this stage given that teams around us for the last two games appear to be getting their acts together especially West Ham United who are picking up points and despite their dire predicament before the Christmas period have hauled themselves up to 15th place whereas we now reside in 19th. The season so far is becoming reminiscent of that three years ago when we were relegated not only because we weren’t good enough but because we drew too many games especially at home. My younger brother who follows Birmingham from his home in Houston Texas has always said to me that you have to beat the teams you should beat and some of the worst performances so far have come against West Ham, Wigan and Wolves. Two points out of nine from these three games especially as two of them were at home is wholly unacceptable. This total is least five points short and represents the difference between a relegation place and a top half of the table position.
Finally may I pass on to all of the Bluenose nation best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year and the hope that the team that we follow will buck up their ideas and survive to fight another season in the top flight.
The Good: The outstanding display of the Arsenal midfield particularly Nasri and Walcott who were a joy to watch even if it were at the expense of my team. The performance of Ben Foster gave him a deserved man of the match accolade from the home faithful despite conceding our heaviest defeat in recent memory.
The Bad: Birmingham gave the ball away far too cheaply and made far too easy for the Arsenal team to cut through them will. The defending was not up to the usual standards and our two centre halves, normally so assured and solid looked like rabbits in headlights.
The Ugly: the melodramatic writhing around on the ground of a number of the Arsenal players; van Persie, Nasri and Fabregas being the worst offenders served only to break up any momentum or rhythm that the home side did produce and van Persie’s dive is particularly reprehensible as it is just plain cheating.
Birmingham City: Ben Foster 8, Stephen Carr 6, Lee Bowyer 5 (Nikola Zigic, 5, 69), Roger Johnson 4, Liam Ridgewell 6, Seb Larsson 4, Craig Gardner 5, Cameron Jerome 5 (Phillips, 5, 80), Barry Ferguson 6, Scott Dann 5, Jean Beausejour 6 (Alexander Hleb, 6, 59).
Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Matt Derbyshire, Keith Fahey, Martin Jiranek.
Bookings: Johnson (7), Dann (50)
Goals: None
Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski 7, Bacary Sagna 7, Cesc Fabregas 8, Laurent Koscielny 7, Samir Nasri 9, Robin Van Persie 7, Theo Walcott 8(Andrey Arshavin 7, 80), Alex Song 7, Jack Wilshere 8 (Denilson 6, 80), Johan Djourou 7, Gael Clichy 7.
Subs not used: Wojciech Szczesny, Tomas Rosicky, Sebastien Squillaci, Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner.
Bookings: Djourou (34)
Goals: van Persie (13), Nasri (57), Johnson (OG, 66)
Referee; Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) 4: a very poor performance in this game; he was conned by van Persie for the free kick that led to the first goal, he missed the same player clearly handle the ball just before the break which could and should have resulted in a penalty to the home side and he also failed to spot Lee Bowyer’s disgraceful stamp on Bacary Sagna which for any Gooners reading this I do not condone. This incident should have been a red card. He should be cited for this and correctly punished; no doubt he will be. In the first half, Mr Walton did give a number of free kicks in Birmingham’s favour after the first goal which I believe was an attempt to right a wrong. This is not good officiating as mistakes should be left as just that and not a yardstick to even things up.
KRO SOTV
Dear Sir…
it must be hard to follow such a poor team and pay youre hard earned cash to actually watch this s**t…one decent player Larsson..the rest is nothing else than wannabe football players…
your manager belongs in the hyde park league..and has no clue whatsoever what football is about…
about yesterdays game..there is only one thing to say really…disgraceful…
Yes it is hard supporting Birmingham City. Thank you for your concern.
You write very well mate, unfortunately I cannot agree with you on the Johnson challenge. The fact he won the ball, or touched it first has absolutely no bearing on the matter, which was that Johnson went in with intent, following through with studs up. Completely unacceptable and a potential leg breaker. It is funny how vociferous Mr Johnson was regarding a very similar challenge by young Wilshere on your circus freak of a striker earlier this season. Like your manager, Johnson has been strangely silent on the incident. But karma sorted things in the end with the Arsenal 3rd.
I hope you sack your manager, get in a decent one and stay up!
All the best
No comment about Lee Bowyer’s antics. Probably best ignored when they can’t be justified!
If you truly believe what ypu wirte about Johnson’s “tackle” you’ve been watching B’ham’s brand of thuggery for too long. It was a jump tackle after he’d lost control of the ball (more akin to the tackle that did Aaron Ramsey) and went in studs over the ball – which was nowhere in sight. It was a total disgrace & should have been a red.
Football is about watching talent like Fabregas, not watching people try and amputate his legs.
Bowyer sums B’ham up – a waste of skin.
They were probably writhing because … they were in agony. Jerome, Bowyer (twice) and Johnson (twice) could all have justifiably been sent off.
Can’t say I agree about the foul against RvP that led to the first goal being nothing but a dive, but as a gooner I freely admit that I’m biased in my team’s favour. He made a meal of it but it was a foul imho.
I wanted to comment mainly to say I agree with your remarks about the referee: He was truly shocking. The FA want players and fans to respect the referee and that’s a laudable goal but respect needs to a) go both ways, and b) be earned.
Bowyer’s stamp. The handball in our area that you were not given… just two obvious examples of a referee who simply isn’t up to the job. Which is a big problem considering it is now an actual job I believe, and in any case too much money is in the game now (whether us mere fans like it or not) to allow things to hang on the mistakes of a fool. What happens if his poor decisions are the difference between someone being relegated and survival, or between first and second place in the league?
I’m not expecting perfection from our referees, just a reasonable professional consistent performance.
I’m still laughing after reading this article. You actually believe you’re hard done by & that it’s Arsenal’s supposed diving that has cost you the points this season?
Amazing that you can cry about that and completely ignore the kicking you give Arsenal ( alot of which is off the ball & this isn’t just refering to Bowyer) every 90 mins.
Jees, it was more like a rubgy or karate match at times & the fact the game turned sour was that every time Arsenal released a pass, the player was left in a crumpled heap after B’ham left their foot in.
I can accept how ludicrously biased this match report is, after all this is a Birmingham blog, but one or two things need to be pointed out:
– Johnson jumped two footed into Fabregas’ ankle, most neutrals agreed he was lucky not to be sent off. It was a reckless and dangerous tackle. For you to have a go at Cesc for ‘writhing around’ as a result of it does not paint a pretty picture of the attitude your club has to football.
– Yes, van Persie exaggerated the contact made but I’m yet to hear a single neutral (going back to them again) who doesn’t think there was contact. And if you’re running at full sprint and someone comes across you and tugs your shirt you’re likely to fall fairly spectacularly. As I said, he made the most of it, but it was a foul, get over it.
– You don’t seem too concerned about the thug tactics applied by many of your players, most notably Bowyers stamp on Sagna, instead you worry about Arsenal players ‘writhing’ after been kicked by your lumpers. At no point did any Arsenal players overplay an injury and you know it and besides, no one ever broke a player’s leg by exaggerating a knock; both are ugly what is really worse for the game?
– You complain about how unfair it is that Arsenal get the better players? It’s called competitive sport, every man for himself as everyone strives to be the best. Unlike City or Chelsea, Arsenal have earned the right to be at the top and have the top players through decades of succesful and intelligent management. Don’t try to apply some absurd socialist ideals to sport, it doesn’t work like that and everything Arsenal have they have earned.
I know Alex McLeishs’ boys are bad but not this bad. I was shocked to witness the aggressive play by Lee Bowyer & Co and the congratulatory gesture to Jerome(the stamp on Kocielny) by Alex McLeish at the interval. I believe Birmingham could have got something out of the game if they concentrated on playing football instead of butchering the F*CK!NG FOREIGNERS (because foreigners are not subject to any right and ought to be stamped with broken limbs). Well done Alex McLeish!
To compete, you need a class manager instead of players, and also a long term project if you are not Real or Chelsea. Arsenal may not have won anything in recent years, but they are still a top side without spending much, and credit to their manager, their back four and midfielders except Nasir, were nobody before they arrived to Arsenal. Look at Bowyer, Barton, Shawcross, these players show how terrible an average club is in EPL is when they are still using these players to compete.
I thought the article was objective, which is more than I can say for some of the replies. Bowyer deserved to be sent off of course, Arsenal were brilliant & the intent in Johnson’s tackle was to win the ball before his opponent. I hope Arsenal do well this season, but though it is a joy to see their skill, the over reaction of a lot of the players has a lot to do with their manager; like their fans, he seems to forget anything wrong that his players do,& though only Wilshere was sent off at the Emirates, 2 other Arsenal players deserved to go, & unfortunately this was probably in the mind of Bowyer in this game.
The attacks,(in foul language), on the most honest manager in the Premiership are shameful,particularly coming from supporters of the most hypocritical,one-eyed bloke in the game. Wenger produces marvellous teams,despite not knowing a goalkeeper or centre-back, but as a man he is to be despised.
I ask the Arsenal fans, did any of you actually read the article? The author clearly states that during the 2nd half you completely outclassed us and gave us a lesson in football. I’m also pretty sure he mentions Bowyer’s appalling stamp in the closing comments regarding the appalling referee.
We do not play a brand of thuggery at all and how the last poster ‘Meaner’ can criticise teams for having to use players such as Bowyer, Barton etc shows a complete lack of understanding. Unfortunately we can’t afford to spend 12m on a Russian luxury to sit on the bench, or 8m on a Nasri etc. Then again you haven’t spent much have you!?
The holier than thou attitude of Arsenal fans is what pushes you into the contempt of a lot of fans up and down the country. I honestly don’t care if this makes me look a neanderthal but I would much rather see my players go in for a full blooded but fair tackle (like Ridge on Walcott at the Emirates last season) than fall over everytime there’s a strong breeze and roll around in false agony. It’s appalling and it’s cheating.
I understand that when your a fan a certain amount of bias comes when you are writing an article but i actually think the writer fell at the last hurdle. What Lee Bowyer did was disgusting and cannot be defended and him failing to mention that shows a condoning of that behaviour. To me that was a racist attack, what did Sagna do so bad to get targeted constantly by Bowyer.
Anyway this is my take on the game
Fabregas foul – It was malicious its not very different to the shawcross incident, you make a bad touch then you dive in anger trying to correct it you catch an player and injure them seriously potentially. I think Ref handled it well its a game of small margins and a yellow card was the right decision.
Van Persie freekick – I think its 50-50 as a person who played as a striker and as a person who has always been a fast sprinter i know that at full speed if you get checked even if its small you go crashing and burning. Especially when you arms get checked you spin out of control.
van Persie Handball – It was a handball but it wasnt intentional but its a foul and its a game where some say things level each other and from not getting a pen. at wiga then arsenal get away with a decision. Bowyer deserved a red card and maybe Jerome could have got a yellow and Johnson a red.
Bowyer – F.A needs to deal with thugs like him
Tom Hatton…
that does explain it well….i guess…you dont have the foggiest idea about football…then again your team should suit you perfectly…and one more thing….your manager…is and always have been a total disgrace…sack him, look at Larsson…he does try to play…bowyer enough said ,he should really do something else…and johnsen should be aware of the fact that karma is fair….he is finished…
again stop wasting money on that s”t team of yours…you should rather do as most of your fans does..secretly paying money to sit at home and watch the great football played by The Arsenal :)…its quite undestandable ..
nuff said….
Tom, before you write a comment slagging Arsenal fans and their criticisms of the article iI suggest you read it again. There is no comment re Bowyers thuggery. Considering this is a Birmingham blog and he now looks like missing the next three games it’s hard to beleive the author wouldn’t mention it, unless of course to mention it would just fly in the face of his assertion that Arsenal dived and feigned pain and injury while the Birmingahm players only played to win the ball.
Tom Hatton
Quick go rest your arms, mustve taken a lot of effort to drag your knuckles from the floor long enough to type that.
This nonsense that Arsenal players spend all day diving around is a get out clause for the cloggers; just accuse the other team of being soft and you get away scott free. Classy.
The simple fact is all players dive on occesion, including the brummie choir boys, so lets stop all the sanctimonious clap trap shall we?
I am sure fans of Stoke, Blackburn, Wolves and Blues dont like Arsenal or their fans. Gutted about that, I really am.
I know it’s hard not to be biased towards one’s team, but you seriously need to look at replays, preferably in high-definition slow motion, before you absolve Roger Johnson for his studs-up tackle on Fabregas and before you accuse Robin Van Persie of cheating. On the latter, it was difficult to be 100 % sure from the immediate replays of the foul on Van Persie, but the replay that was shown later (at 14:35) clearly shows that Van Persie in full flight had his right arm pulled back by Scott Dann, hence Van Persie losing his balance as he did (which would have been difficult to fake). Cheating is a serious charge and should not be made with such irresponsibility. As for Roger Johnson’s tackle, he knew he had lost the ball and yet he went into Fabregas leaving the ground studs up with both feet. After looking at the replays numerous times, I think Johnson might have made some contact with the ball with the back of his heel but almost all of the contact was on the shin of Fabregas. You simply cannot know the rules of football if you think the foul didn’t even deserve a yellow card. It was a terrible tackle and his protestations afterwards were disgraceful and hypocritical given his self-righteous comments about Wilshere’s foul on Zigic in the first game.
It’s true that Van Persie missed his header in the Arsenal box and the ball made contact with his hand. It was unintentional but a penalty could easily have been given. Nevertheless, the fact that Birmingham fans are feeling aggrieved about the refereeing is ridiculous. Bowyer was despicable and it’s extraordinary that both he and Johnson were not sent off. Frankly, it’s hard to believe that Birmingham players can play with so much disregard for the safety of their fellow professional football players without the tacit blessing of their manager. Instead of whining about referees and how much the other players writhe on the ground after receiving studs in their shins or being stomped on by your players, I suggest Birmingham look to Ian Holloway and Blackpool for a shining example of how to play competitive, attractive football with far less financial means than themselves.
Yes Sam and I am gutted that you refer to us as cloggers etc.
To the prat who fills his comment box with …
Why would the fact that Blues are a bit shit mean I should stop wasting my money on them? Are you perhaps writing that ditty from Thailand/Australia/Canada/Cambodia and obviously support Arsenal because they’re one of the better sides in what you probably call the ‘EPL’? You obviously have no understanding of the game yourself, if it was as easy as supporting a successful team then we wouldn’t have any fans and nor would any other team (except 4/5) in the country. Idiot.
Steve, please read the below, taken from the article:
‘he also failed to spot Lee Bowyer’s disgraceful stamp on Bacary Sagna which for any Gooners reading this I do not condone. This incident should have been a red card. He should be cited for this and correctly punished; no doubt he will be.’
That looks like a comment about Bowyers stamp to me pal.
It’s funny that in this country, cheating is deemed the worse thing that a player can do, however, when they say cheating what they mean is; dirty foreigners having the temerity to fall over when scythed down by a good “robust” (that is such a cop out word isnt it!) challenge from a good ol honest English pro.
Some good comments ( Alan Richards in particular ) but this perception by Arsenal fans that we are a thuggish / neanderthal etc outfit doesn’t sit comfortably with me. While we can’t defend Bowyer for his attitude and actions , that’s unfortunately what he is , and it’s unacceptable , but we don’t applaud it in any way. Johnson is another kettle of fish , we watch him week in week out , he’s simply not a dirty player , emotional yes , but vicious , with intent ? no. I’ve never known ( in 45 years ! ) such a long running saga as the Birmingham / Eduardo / Arsenal ‘ season over ‘ saga !!!
I’m sick of this ‘ we know what you’re like ‘ stigma from the Gunners , and another thing while I’m on my ( rickety ) soap box to the Arsenal fans. Just be glad that you were born near Highbury in the first bloody place !! you’re priveliged to be supporters of arguably the finest football club ( in many ways ) in the country! We’re Birmingham fans because we grew up with them , love them , and would give absolutely anything for a team/set-up like you have !
Well it’s a long time since one of my blogs incited such a debate. Thank you all for your comments but I totally refute that my article is biased. Some of you have not read what I have written carefully for if you had you would have seen that I actually state that Arsenal were the superior side in every way and we had a right trouncing from a far better team. I also clearly state that Bowyer’s stamp on Sagna was disgraceful and should be cited and punished. I actually write that Mr Walton “failed to spot Lee Bowyer’s disgraceful stamp on Bacary Sagna which for any Gooners reading this I do not condone. This incident should have been a red card. He should be cited for this and correctly punished; no doubt he will be.” As for Johnson’s tackle, I carefully reviewed the replay and the challenge is one-footed NOT two-footed, his studs are pointed at the ground not the player and the contact with the ball is with the side of his foot. I stand by my original opinion as I do for van Persie’s dive but I respect the views of those that disagree.
Finally, I feel I have to comment regarding the comments of ‘Sam.’ Where on earth has all this tripe about racism come from? There is certainly nothing in my article referring to that subject and your diatribes about it are in your imagination alone. Your abusive language at comment 3 is uncalled for as is your insult of another blogger at comment 17. You then return to the subject of racism at comment 20. I think your views are ignorant, ill-conceived and downright rude but you are entitled to hold them nevertheless.
Aww diddumes, I’ve got Johnson all wrong, he is just a delicate little sensitive little flower. His assault on Fabregas wasnt the actions of an overly pumped up aggresive, limited clogger. No, it was all down to the fact that he was just so darn upset about the middle east conflict, climate change, the rising oil prices and his poorly cat. All this worry just got too much for the darling cherub and the natural outlet for being so overly emotional was to try and break an opponents legs. So obvious when one thinks about it.
Good night sweethearts.
Oh dear Sam, you clearly have a problem relating to the rest of humanity but if Arsenal had two centre-halves who could defend as well as Johnson and Dann have over the last 18 months the betting on Arsenal to win the title would have long since closed and the bookies would probably have paid out!
P.S. you would also benefit from having a goalkeeper as good as Foster as well! 😛
What I find the most depressing is that Arsenal fans should be discussing a great victory for them (Only the second visiting team to win at St Andrews in 12 months) and we should be debating how we can improve going forward. Instead we are trading insults about perceived thuggery and cheating.
Bowyer should be banned. It’ll be three games but he can stay away for the rest of the season as far as I’m concerned.
Bazz , not just Arsenal ….. Every team in the Premiership would like Dann and Johnson ( as a partnership ! !! ) but Foster is simply the best buy this season , end of ! What was Fergy thinking of ? I wouldn’t swap him for ANY other keeper , I can’t believe we have the best goalie in the league .
It’s a good job though , as all three aforementioned players are vital to our survival !
Must be past Sams bedtime now. I hope his mummy will tuck him in and switch the parent controls back the pc as this article has too many words for him.
There’s really no need for all this animosity, although I understand there’s history now between the clubs because of the Eduardo incident. As an Arsenal fan I really enjoyed this match. I thought your report was ok although you glossed over the bad tackles until the footnote at the end. The fact that Van Persie may have gone down a little easily is really being blown out of all proportion. Did he go down in the area looking for a penalty? No. Was there still a lot to do to score? Yes. Fact is, I see more questionable free-kicks every week in virtually every game. Lee Bowyer will get what is coming to him, of that there can be no doubt. While Roger Johnson may now be reflecting on his comments about Wilshire’s tackle on Zigic at the Emirates I’m sure he won’t be publicly stating about learning how to tackle better as Jack did after that game. Yes, a penalty could have been given after the ball hit RVP’s arm, but I’m not as convinced as your manager that it would have changed the result. At Wigan we were denied a clear penalty that may have won us the match! I think we have rather more to be aggrieved about.
Yes we have a good defence and goalkeeper but the fact that we only threatened via set pieces against a team with a suspect defence shows we have a lot of problems at the other end.
Thank you for your more considered comments RedEd. I don’t think for a moment that a penalty award would have changed the result here either however, goals change games and I still contend that van Persie’s free kick, because he scored, did change the match and Birmingham had to chase the game from then on which is very tough against such excellent opponents. A goal for Blues from a penalty may have changed the tide; I doubt it but we will never know. The incident at Wigan has nothing to do with this game any more than the penalty we should have had against them or the penalties that were given against us this season that cost us points at Sunderland, Bolton and the Emirates. Each game has to be judged on its merits and just because you missed out on an award at the DW doesn’t mean you should be entitled to get away with one at St Andrews. Regardless of all this, your team’s victory was thoroughly deserved and comprehensive and I wish Arsenal well for the rest of the season. 🙂
Here’s what you wrote on Wednesday about Zigic’s handball for your goal against Man u:
“Hand-ball; well, yes, I suppose so but his arm was down by his side and there was no arm movement or intent so Mr Mason gave the big striker the benefit of the doubt.”
Sound familiar?
Jason —— the key here is arms down by his side….. no movement towards the ball. unlike Van Persie, as we all seem to be bring up the past in this blog..lol
And your point is? I’ve just said what happens in previous games has no bearing on this one. If this is a dig at my contention that van Persie dived for the free kick and the ref gives him the’benefit of the doubt’ well you’re right but the incidents are very different; Zigic’s incident was questionable in my view whereas van Persie dived; no doubt, end of.
Bowyer’s vicious stamp – standard practice. Bowyer raking Song’s achilles after the ball had gone – is normal play for City. Studs into the back of Walcott in an aerial challenge – not worthy of mention. The Jerome stamp on the prone Koscielny – every bit as bad as Bowyer’s.
Johnson over the top studs first lunge into Fabregas’ ankle – typical. Off the ball body checks, shirt tugging throughout and ankle rapping as a matter of course – all of which made it a typical match against the Brummies. And yet their fans are somehow amazed that van Persie made a meal of it when he was being pulled back.
Watch van Persie again when the ball hit his arm and you’ll see he shut his eyes because he thought Bowyer was about to kick him in the head.
By the way Bazza – Johnson and Dann only look good because they have 8 other negative players alongside them on the pitch.
Arsenal players never do anything physical of course and are never the subject of red cards are they Gooner 48? As for Johnson and Dann, in the Arsenal side they would look even better than they do with eight other negative players around them! 😛
Gooner 48 , — ‘ and I AM getting personal now … Are you saying that you would not have Dann and Johnson at the back for the Gunners ?… really ?
My point is that if you don’t think unintentional handballs should be given against Zigic, then they shouldn’t be given against van Persie. Van Persie’s didn’t move his arm to make contact with the ball, it was up because he was running.
I also think it bears mentioning that the free kick leading to the handball, when Jerome ran into Djourou’s back and fell over, should never have been given.
just as a matter of interest where are Arsenal in the fair play league… They must be top by miles judging by the angelic gooners who obviously have no red cards or yellows as they play PURE FOOTBALL.. My Arse! nal
Jason you have to be joking! van Persie is waving his arms about above his head and the ball strikes his arm. At least Zigic didn’t do that. As for Djorou’s challange, Jerome is clean through if he isn’t felled. The laws of the game do in fact say that awards for fouls and hand ball can still be given even if they are accidental; e.g. if a player clips the heels of another player unitentionally it is still a free kick. This is also made clear in Graham Poll’s excellent book which is worth a read as it gives an official’s take on incidents in International games that many of us have firm opions about but when considered thorugh the eyes of a referee aren’t quite so clear cut.
January 2, 2011
Rank Team Yellow Red Points
1 Fulham 23 0 23
2 Blackpool 23 1 25
3 Everton 24 3 30
Manchester United 30 0 30
5 Chelsea 29 1 31
6 Liverpool 28 2 32
West Ham United 32 0 32
8 Wigan Athletic 27 3 33
Birmingham 31 1 33
10 Tottenham Hotspur 31 2 35
Aston Villa 35 0 35
12 Sunderland 32 3 38
13 West Bromwich Albion 27 6 39
14 Wolverhampton Wanderers 36 2 40
15 Blackburn Rovers 37 2 41
Stoke City 39 1 41
17 Arsenal 35 4 43
18 Bolton Wanderers 37 4 45
19 Newcastle United 45 1 47
20 Manchester City 43 4 51
Oh Dear its not beautiful Arse-nal is it… Its Dirty Dirty Arse-nal
Comment removed due to offensive language.
Nor does yours judging by the aggressive nature of your team…lol
Check out the red card stats, none are for violent conduct, or for breaking the bones of their opponent!
I think you’ll find that the dont do relegation.
no but at least one for dangerous play, the others must be for sulking and crying to the ref boo hoo
Sorry should be……Sulky Sulky Arse-nal
Real Supporters, not glory hunters. You find a better class of supporter in the Championship anyway….lol
We play no different against the Gooners as we we do Man U, Chelsea or say Spurs but why is it only Arsenal fans bleat and moan? As much as i enjoy your stylish football you are ruining a mans game with your manager and fans view that you are un touchable. If you don’t like the tatics of 90% of EPL teams change the channel to Spanish football.
One of the greatest men to play the game in this country was Tony Adams, what a leader and what a competitor! He gave as good as he got and never made an issue I swear it must break his heart to see what Arsenal has turned into…the cast of Loui Spence’s it’s show business lol