For the second league game in a row, Arsenal failed to score, with numerous players missing and a clear lack of composure evident in the second half. There was a sense that individuals overthought situations in the final third, leading to poor decision-making at key moments when calm execution was required.
Some supporters view it as a coincidence that these performances followed Manchester City’s drop in points, while others believe external factors can influence mentality. In football, luck and scheduling play a role that cannot be controlled. Had Arsenal kicked off at the City Ground before the Manchester derby, the performance may have been more relaxed. It is reasonable to believe that different circumstances could have led to greater calm, rather than heightened tension.
Perspective amid mounting pressure
Despite the frustration, some reactions have been excessive. The reality is that after two draws, both influenced by anxiety, Arsenal have still managed to increase their lead at the top of the table to seven points. That advantage would have been accepted without hesitation if offered at Christmas. There is no immediate need for panic once the pressure affecting the players is acknowledged.
This squad is on the verge of achieving something none of their peers have managed in two decades. They are close to writing themselves into history, a situation that naturally brings weight and expectation. Footballers are human, and when the reward is significant, the final step often proves the most difficult. If success were straightforward, the long wait for a league title would not have stretched to twenty-two years.
Learning to handle decisive moments
This reflection is not criticism, but an assessment of where this young group currently stands. Disappointment is understandable because the desire to win the league is intense, and many want it secured as quickly and comfortably as possible. That also explains the reluctance to give Pep Guardiola another opportunity. He will be highlighting positives to his players, stressing their experience of closing out title races, and trusting his former assistant in North London to feel the strain.
The hope remains that challengers will lack the consistency to exploit Arsenal’s nerves. From now until May, however, Arsenal must learn to win when the pressure is greatest. Eventually, the balance will shift, and once it does, belief should follow. The last step, after all, is always the hardest.
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If Rice and Martinelli didn’t miss the sitters in the first half of the game, we would likely have won it. In my opinion, Arteta also made wrong substitutions, despite knowing we needed quicker passes to the left wing
Man United would likely sit back as well, so we’ll need Jesus or Havertz to break their defense. Gyokeres simply doesn’t possess Jesus’ link-up play skills and Havertz’s aerial ability to test sturdy defense
That is, if Gyokeres doesn’t have a minimum game time clause on his contract
I agree that Arteta got it wrong, and I thought it would have been a game for Havertz and Jesus as well. Taking of Ødegaard and then Zubimendi left us without control and creativity in the middle. 2ps lost, but hey, with Villa losing as well, it´s 1p won.
Havertz isn’t fit to start yet. Unfortunately, as he would have been a great option up front here.
And Jesus is having his minutes managed.
Obviously if goals are scored, we win.
My theory is that Arteta has seen the turgid performances from certain players recently and doesn’t like them either. I suspect he was trying to go for pace against Forest as an experiment (back to previous seasons when it worked!). So he started Madueke not just to rest Saka for Inter, but also as a result of Saka’s cutback-rather-than-pass-to-Gyokeres maneuver in the cup match against Chelsea. Ben White had to make the final cross for Gyok to shoot in that case. That’s a pass Madueke makes instinctively.
Both Saka and Øde have slowed moves down recently and forced us to try to barge one through a low block. Madueke makes excellent pinpoint crosses to that perfect spot for a number 9 to arrive at. It just didn’t work well against such a well drilled defense, especially with Murillo back. We need to give Forest some credit here.
Against the new look Man U under Carrick, we can expect an equally robust defense. Unfortunately I think it’s too early to start Kai, Jesus will be ineffective against the big Man U boys, so we’re still at Gyokeres. Merino is the only other plausible option here.
True, I was hoping to see Skelly on the left and Timber shining on the right, but for some reason, MA preferred White and Timber ..
Because you can trust White more then Timber
I mean Skelley
Lewis Skelly’s confidence is shot, he hasn’t played well in the games he has played in
utd used two fearless youngsters vs city, something we
are afraid to do !! they had the desire and intensity to
steamroll city..
Everybody ignoring Villa who will be 4 points behind us today. City has what it takes to go past crumbling Arsenal but even Emery is a known winner. When it comes to trophies, MA has nothing on Pep or Emery.
Therefore MA has 1 week to solve this. We play United H, Leeds A, Sunderland H. Thats 9 points needed without excuses, otherwise we know we have started the crumbling under pressure -phase and cannot win the title.
Wouldn’t go that far
Your going by the assumption City and / or Villa win their next 3 games
Lets remember we have actually extended our lead in this period
Along with a better goal stat Dan, especially over Villa.
Do you think we should have had a penalty and what’s your view on Mr Oliver’s overall performance Dan?
Dan wouldn’t don’t expect ken1945. His prediction for a draw has been fulfilled.
Yeah my prediction is what I think will happen not what I want to happen
Pen – I’m not sure – seen them given / seen them not. This is why I would get rid of VAR as it’s not consistently used ( maybe keep them for Offsides only )
M Oliver – I don’t blame him for not seeing the situation and would say he had a fair game . Another match where again I don’t see evidence of corruption or bias
Wenger used to reply ‘I didn’t see it’. Dan your reply reminded me of his. 100% pen in whichever continent you go
I seen us get away with worse in the past so it’s true lol
Dont forget that it wont get easy for us either. After those 3 matched we play Brentford A, Spurs A, Chelsea H and Brighton A. During that City plays 3 easy home matches so we need the gap in the next 3 mstches.
Yeah but in City’s next 6 they have like Spies Liverpool and Leeds away and Newcastle at home ..
They are not turning around a 7 points gap with those fixtures
Arsenal just need that one performance to calm everything
But this was always going to be difficult getting over the line
Hence why those who said we could win all 4 trophies were naive
Quadruplists naive? Okay the real jury has to be out now. Wait and see sometimes is the best panacea
Not happening mate
I believe in this team and their ability to deliver some joy to us at the end of it all in spite of the disappointment of not capitalizing on our competitors’ failings. You only need a point (or even goal difference) to win the league; and I am confident we can do it.
Let’s keep the faith.
Gykores offers nothing, like playing with ten men
You can say Haaland offers nothing yesterday, but what service did he get?
Should we measure Gyok and Harland by how many they miss, if team don’t load gun and hand it to them?
Same with wingers. On touch line with loads of space or 1 on 1 if it comes to them quick enough, but eventually worked to them they are now double teamed – is it then the wingers fault they went whole game contributing nothing?
Move ball quicker and further faster. Simples.
That Haaland offers nothing is simply not true. His movement and intelligence is world class. Most importantly Haaland is physically and technically elite- you can’t say the same for Gyokeres.
Gyokeres has been dispossessed of the ball more times than any striker in the Premier League. How do you expect your teammates to trust you with the ball if you’re that poor at taking care of it?
Haaland has a brilliant first touch which, in addition to his pace and power, allows him to get away from defenders. By contrast, Gyokeres’ poor first touch and hold up play mean he is easily dispossessed.
He was through on goal yesterday and his technique let him down, allowing Murillo to make the block. Haaland scores that. It’s embarrassing to compare the two.
I’ll concede Haaland’s form is currently a bit better than Gyok.
Moon Girl,
The difference between Haaland and Gyokeres is night and day.
Haaland has very much proved his worth. Gyokeres, we’re still waiting.
If that was the case we wouldn’t be 7 points ahead at the top. 10 men teams wouldn’t be leading the league
The fact that we play Gyokeres and we are at the top shows that he does offer enough, if not a lot of goals
City don’t look like challenging at moment, they’re more like rebuilding with Pep trying to play more transitioning football. This City team doesn’t look like the City of old that can go on a +-12 game winning streak. But with that said Arteta needs to release the handbrake, and also find a way to keep his best players fresh and manage the minutes better. Apparently Saka had a niggle before the game, and Rice didn’t look fresh at all. Eze needs some consistent minutes also, so he’s not rusty when called upon.
I don’t believe in this “they played first, dropped points, we then blew opportunity” guff. Say Mancy lose home to wolves at lunchtime, we then draw at Anfield at dinner time, what opportunity have we failed to take? The challenge for each rival on each gameweek is completely different.
I’m old enough to remember when this blog was full of “that’s not the performance or result of Title winners” when Arsenal merely won 1.0 at Old Trafford earlier this season.
they played first, dropped points, we then blew opportunity” guff.
That’s literally what has happened
That is not true. What literally happened is that MC lost their game and Arsenal drew theirs.
MC did not gain any additional points. Arsenal gained one point.
The challenge in their own game for each rival on each gameweek is completely different.
What happened is we won one nil at Old Trafford, Mancy lost three nil, 4 point 4 goal swing on same fixture now complete for season. That’s the true measure, not the silly manufactured one.
@MoonGirl I agree with you on that, if you look at last 6 EPL games. Match day 17 & 18 City played 1st and won both, Arsenal played after and we also won both. Match day 19 & 20 Arsenal played 1st and won both, City played after and drew both. 21 & 22 City played 1st, they drew and lost, Arsenal played after and went on to draw both games. To me this shows no evidence to suggests that City playing before or after has put more pressure on Arsenal. What this shows me is that Arteta didn’t go all out and try to win the last 2 matches at all costs because City’s bad results had afforded him some breathing space.
Exactly
When City have won both , Arsenal have won both
When City have not and Arsenal can take a massive step , we have not won
Exactly
When City have won both , Arsenal have won both
When City have not and Arsenal can take a massive step , we have not won
Dan am not getting you, maybe am missing your point. I thought you had suggested before that City playing 1st was more pressure to Arsenal and that they would not cope well. But it seems to me that it’s City that is being overwhelmed at the moment. Maybe Arsenal not winning after City dropping points is on Arteta playing safe, rather than the nerves getting better of the team. that’s my view.
No , for example in my predictions I said if City win the Derby , Arsenal will win
If City drop points , we will drop points
That last step is the hardest
👍 @Dan.
There’s a lot of money in PL, every side have some world class players, it’s a tough league with few easily won points for anyone. We supposedly have best quality depth in whole league, but we know we are happier fans when Sally, Gabi, Rice, Saka, Timber, Raya arn’t missing, likewise when every side can get their first choice out they can give a game to anybody. As I type, Everton take lead on the hour at Villa.
Forests Centre Backs are very good. MGW and Anderson impressed me too. Anderson does box to box now to top 4 standard. And their keeper was awarded man of the match.
Our run in from March looks far less difficult that Mancy’s. Let’s see what Mancy bring back from Anfield, but taking 7 point lead into March would be exciting I think.
I don’t buy the notion that Arsenal lost because of anxiety. Arsenal had enough chances to win that game- Martinelli chance, Zubimendi chance, Gyokeres chance, Saka chance, Rice chance and Merino chance. All good chances and our superior xG supports this.
Meanwhile Forest offered nothing in the other box- nada, zero, zilch! No threat whatsoever.
We simply lacked the sharpness to convert our chances, which is a consequence of mental and physical fatigue imo. Third away game in a week and that Chelsea game took a lot from us. Our opponents had a week’s rest and were fresher- similar thing probably contributed to City’s loss.
What we should be discussing is how to use the squad better to keep the players sharp. We are also lacking a bit of dynamism on the left in the continued absence of Calafiori.
I don’t buy the notion either, because the idea of ignoring city’s result to focus their’s has been defeated if that’s the case.
This anxiety theory sounds like confirmation bias to me. Some questionable selections, players missing chances and fatigue are more plausible explanations for that result/performance.
There have been times already this season where we’ve played after City dropped points and we’ve won,like Bournemouth most recently – that kind of disproves this theory.
No damages at all. I still insist we got ourselves to compete with in the “title race”. Meanwhile popping out just to put up a display such as yesterday is unacceptable, considering the type of opposition we up against. No disrespect to them, but we just made their negative gameplan look great. I don’t like that!
As if we hadn’t used properly the advantages at times presented like an Xmas gift to us, Lady Luck is stalling the Villa & Everton tie at 0-0 though game not ended. Otherwise gap remains only 4 pts if Emery’s Villa win.
Imagine after what I feel has been a slight overaction to our draw , we end up extending our lead ?
Some seem to forget that Arsenal drawing and City losing is better then both winning
Yeah be with us all bodily concurring head as well as heart. I tbh feared the Forest game only due to Oliver but I found it aching to go and predict against Arsenal win. It is me who after all should ultimately reconcile my two. No misgivings mates
Yesterday’s game showed that some tactics work sometimes it doesn’t, had martinelli being a left footed player, he would have scored (the downside of playing the inverted wingers). I’m not condemning the system nor putting down Martinelli , I’m just saying that system has it’s downsides. There was also that Gyokeres chance where showed that he lack the pace we thought he had, Merino should have scored a header in the second half or should probably have left the ball to Gabriel who may or may not have been in a better position to score. It’s a match we didn’t win not because we didn’t try but because the luck element of the game wasn’t on our side . On a normal day that Aina hand drag of the ball should have been a penalty ( if it were an arsenal player the pgmol wouldnt hesitate to give the pen), I’m guessing the decision was the ball had cross the line so corner was given. In any case I’m ok with the point but Arteta needs to try other options like playing 2 strikers in moments like this , he could explore sacrificing a full back for another striker in late periods of games , ive seen mourinho do this and it usually works out even the great wenger used this option (remember that Bendtner goal he scored immediately he was subbed in). 7 PTS clear of city, I wouldn’t worry too much about villa cos they still play city at the Etihad and Liverpool at ansfield.
We march on.
COYG.
As I type villa is losing at home to Everton. Strange isn’t it , we played badly against wolves and Manchester United at OT but still won, while we played very well at Sunderland and Chelsea but drew. Football is all black and white as we fans make it out to be .
Dennis the mennis,
Did we play well against Chelsea?. We must have been watching different games. Even with 10 men, Chelsea outplayed us on the day I seem to remember.
Although I see where you’re post is coming from.👍
Thank you Everton
Sue,
Isn’t the Premier League great. In what other leagues around the world do you see the chance of these random results.
Maybe sometimes, but not as much as you do in our excellent league.
See, I can be quite serious when I want to be. 😉
Happy new year to you by the way. 👍
Thanks Derek – Happy New Year to you too!
Well, my meltdown after our 0-0 yesterday is forgotten 🤣 I don’t think I got a single point in my predictions this week. You’re right what a great league we have! And hopefully we’ll get back to winning ways against the Mancs next weekend. The finish line will soon be in sight. We can do it, right? 🙏😊
Sue,
In the word’s of a certain manager gone by, it’s squeaky bum time. 😂
Regards you’re question, yes I certainly hope we can do it. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
It bloody well is 🤣🫣🤣 We’ve waited long enough that’s for sure. Fingers and everything else crossed!! 🤣
Sue,
That’s my problem, I’ve got so much crossed I’m struggling to walk. 😂🤞👍
🤣🤣🤣🤣brilliant, Derek!!!
Sue,
Thank you, have a good evening. 😉👍
You too, Derek 👍
Our result yesterday doesn’t seem so bad now Sue, in fact we’ve increased our lead over city115 and Villa, while pool drew at home to Burnley 👍👍🙄
I never expected any of these results!! Wow, what a weekend, Ken! I’ve calmed down now (haha). It appears things are going our way something we’ve not had in a long time.
I’m beginning to think ahead to May…. 🙏
👍🤞
Wow … we are so so lucky… maybe the lucks with us like is was with Liverpool last year. Do we actually practice shooting at Arsenal? Had everything gone the way it should’ve, we should’ve won 5-0, not a draw and stuff like an unbelievable save from the Saka header is just the way it goes, but when we are presented with an open goal, we have to at least hit the target. Thank you MU and Everton.
Isn’t it lovely ..atty Cash and Martinez both being made to look like fools by Barry, could watch that 20 seconds over and over again.
I can’t bear Martinez, so that was super sweet!!! Almost as good as the 4 goals we put past him 😄
👍😊
But some of that luck is all down to Arsenal’s perseverance, look at how many injuries we’ve had at back. Wouldn’t you say? When some teams are struggling to cope with their injuries.
We have also got some of the more tricky fixtures out of the way now, and computer given us one of the nicest run ins we’ve had for years from March.
Mancy have to play both us and Villa in the run in. Playing catchup makes them must wins.
Rather than meltdowns, and rubbishing our own players and tactics, I declare we can now afford to let ourselves get a teeny bit excited.
City only has to play Villa on the last day of the campaign so most likely title will be decided before that. They do however have Chelsea, Spurs, Pool and Bournemouth away while we only have Spurs A.
As each of the remaining game weeks tick down without anyone less than 7 points from us, it’s going to get exciting.
At what point are you going to allow me to get a teeny bit excited?
I guess the football gods wants to hand Arsenal the league in a platter.
Please Arteta and the players should take it with open arms.
So at the end of the week we gained 1 point over our 2 main rivals this season, so it’s like a good weekend, although it would have been 9 points gap.
But 7 points gap is still pretty good.
Now let’s try our best and get more wins in the league as much as possible and hope our rivals continue dropping points.
No please!! don’t raise your hope again, just prepare for the worst..
For real bro 😂 😡
Unfortunately I can’t trust my club until they finally cross the finish line.
I guess I’m dealing with the hoping for the best part for now.
In the last 5 league games we have won 3 while City, Liverpool and Aston villa have won a combined 3 but our fans are crying the loudest as usual. No wonder we are easy target for rival fans with such fickle and whining fans.
Even saw some Arteta out comments too lol imagine being 7 pts clear in the league, nearly assured for finishing 1st in the CL, 1 leg in the EFL final, into the 4th round of the Fa Cup and still seeing this. A section of our fan are Ungrateful and entitled, i wished they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate and rejoice when we win the league. They don’t deserve it.
With 22 games gone, 16 to go and 7 points ahead, we are still on course.
Yes it could have been better yesterday and for a short while it felt like a lost but on reflection and the other 2 teams losing that is a big 1 point towards the quest.
We can’t win it January but we sure can lose lose and maybe lady luck is shining on us but we are still firmly in it.
We should have done better with our chance yesterday. The GK gets man of the match.
Should have been a pen on any other day.
Forest fighting for there lives.
A point doesn’t seem so bad now
Fans who are getting nervous and the wobbles, please stop it!
Are you trying to make me feel that way. We are better then you think 😜
Keep the faith
Onwards and upwards
“ Forest fighting for there lives.”
What are they even doing down there? They have great players. Maybe their front line could have more creativity and goals in it.
Forest gave it a damn good go. Arsenal gave it a damn good go to be honest. I think we are making our own luck with effort being put in. Let the table remind you that no one else has been as consistent and resilient, as hungry and determined as the club at the top.
MG I don’t need the tabe to remind me who are currently top dogs.
Forest are down there because they have been awful but are capable of doing a bit of damage on there day.
Poor finishing and poor decision making on the pitch made us drop the 2 points
If Asked at the start of the weekend if I would take a 7 point lead if we only drew against forest i would have taken it
Here we are 7 points ahead with a draw against forest
Hasn’t been a bad weekend has it.
Onwards and upwards
The biggest losers of this weekend are not us but City and Villa.
Is it St Totteringham’s day yet?…………🥳
GB,
It’s St Totteringam’s day everyday. The gift that just keeps on giving.
Or all Spursy as the other saying goes. 😂👍
Fans and pundits are always ready to highlight the pressure on Arsenal as League leaders, but are slow to recognise that we are not the only side afflicted by the demands of winning .The chasing pack including City, Villa,Liverpool and Newcastle have all succumbed to “pressure” and will probably continue to do so throughout the season, yet it appears the media considers Arsenal to be more vulnerable as they rarely cite the weaknesses of other sides when it comes to dropping points.Perhaps they simply are reluctant to accept that we are currently the strongest team in a League .A draw away against a very efficient ,defensively minded Forrest side, may be construed by some as a missed opportunity, but i suspect other fancied sides will find it difficult to leave Nottingham with all 3 points in the months ahead.For what its worth, i expect Chelsea to finish above City and Villa by the end of the season , but if we continue to ignore others and focus on our own performances we will emerge as Champions.
Is it really “succumbing to pressure” or that all PL opponents are just damn difficult to see off in 90 minutes.
The problem I have with”blew a chance” and “succumbed to the pressure” is it implies just turn up and hit the levels you are capable of, and you will simply brush opponents aside in 90 minutes.
For me it started with watching a Manu side embarrassed at home by Brighton last week produce 90 minutes of energy, passion and determination that would have been very hard for anyone to blow away. And then Arsenal didn’t have finishing boots on, but there was no shortage of energy, passion and determination from Forest. And Everton played a great game at Villa, in both boxes. The quality of PL players, managers makes every PL game hard for anyone team to win.
If Villa and Liverpool end up top 5, whilst City and Ars top 2, that is likely down to greater squad depth, when it’s a relentless fixture programme progressing in 4 competitions.
It’s succumbing to pressure
Been happening for years under Arteta
It’s natural when your close to doing something special nerves kick in
Doesn’t mean it will always happen
That’s why many fans are saying win that first title , the rest could follow
Well, I completely disagree.
For example, look at every list of favourite at start of any football competition, and then eventual winners. If your theory is correct, it would be nothing but favourites winning them. World’s cups for example. Premier Leagues. Or any individual football match.
No. Football is not designed to be like that. And the fact a favourite can’t just turn up and see off anybody and anybody game after game in the allotted time is precisely why it interesting.
If Arsenal win the title this season, it underlines another example, as we were not favourites as the season began.
we got lucky as Villa lost!
Villa and city115 got lucky because we only drew.
Anyone not watching AFCON final wow
Turn on now
Crazy
Turn on why? To see football or corruption? Justice served by the grace of God lastly. Mashallah!
Think Senegal should lose game moment they left pitch
That can’t be allowed
Think the Ref should have blown final whistle the moment they walked off. I did think Diaz will miss the penalty the moment El- nesri handed him the ball. Could they have scored if it hadn’t taken that long to be taken? Probably….
Just worried it starts a trend
So if Arsenal concede a 90th min penalty on Saturday can we walk off and make Man United wait ?
Think FIFA might get involved
You mean on Sunday?
mean Sunday?
no we shouldn’t walk off because we’ve another chance to amend. but here it’s a one off tie no second chance do or die
I said yesterday that there will be twists and turns along the way. People going nuts over a nil all draw and how our season is slowly but surely going down the pan, but our two closest rivals conspired to lose magnificently. Villa were at home and have a much better manager than our own. Pep couldn’t get the better of an interim manager. It is ridiculous to get so stressed until there is a valid reason.
Well said
Yeah I have been surprised by the overreaction
Suep, two games without scoring is a bit worrying! We ain’t taking our chances to open up an even bigger gap ! Can you imagine us winning the league with 4/5 games to play? And the concentrate on cups! That will be sweet
I would very much like to imagine winning the league with games to spare Kenya001
Just SueP work on the number of games to be spared. I think record is four games by Ferguson’s Utd? Did Pep or Klopp break that?
Nah got to be more then that
The Invincibles had 4 to go
Morocco is best in hosting the Afcon. Hope they will be even better in doing so in the next world cup. I’m appalled by what I saw in the final. Senegal’s disallowed goal was lawful and should have stood. Morocco’s pen to the contrary laughable. ..minutes passed in indecision and revolting. For me Morocco and Brahim agreed to intentionally miss the undeserved unholy pen. They did it what? miss the pen. Extra time went on. The rest is history.
So what if every team from now on walks off every time just to make the penalty taker wait .
If your saying he’s missed on purpose it’s made African football a laughing stock
That would be corruption
No way he misses that on purpose Dan! Too overconfident in trying a panenka in the last kick after such a long unnecessary delay. A sour ending to what I think has been an outstanding tournament.
let alone africa’s i even suspect of epl’s refs of corruption as the disgraced ref (coates) recently gave some hints.
The Senegal player grabs him by the neck and throws him to the ground
Show me where he attempts to go for the ball ?
Senegal disagreeing ( which they would ) isn’t corruption
sorry former ref name coote not coates
Wenger once said no refree will make heaven&only a blind person and or someone so corrupt can dispute that.I congratulate Senegal for having the courage/guts to stand up to the corrupt/bias refree,perhaps the walk out will bring about positive changes on how the refs officiates our tournaments going forward.
I wanted them to win but hope the punishment is huge
They essentially cheated
You are calling out the Senagalese without setting out the full facts. That’s disingenuous and inappropriate.
Courage and guts ?
I saw the opposite
Courage and guts would be if they truly thought corruption was going on refusing to play
They simply saw a way to put off the opponent
It’s cheating
dan i think you saw tip of the iceberg. as i understand you didn’t follow afcon. lots of dubious matters occurred esp after the knock out phase commenced. let me be honest i had an african linesman friend just 20 years ago who used to participate in international club and national competitions. there he often struggled to overcome the lure of kickbacks. sorry i don’t trust refs wherever continent they are.
Not calling them out
You cannot walk off the pitch and make a penalty taker wait . It’s literally against the rules
They themselves have admitted they made a huge mistake
Bet they will be punished
The rules are breached first not by Senegalese but by refs. If Senegal is my team I support what they did. Their legitimate goal disallowed and just after 5 minutes award a laughable pen to Morocco. The run in before the final had also been weird as we heard complaints from the Senegal camp. What needed was for Morocco to win the trophy, just here give them as we’ll leave the pitch for that to happen. This was their intention. What we saw in the final was embarrassing though Morocco did superb in hosting the tournament. We need to discern intentional and innocent mistakes of refs. Yesterday’s was like the former type.
No …what you mean is Senegal disagreed with the decision ?
It’s not like a ball clearly went over the line but had not been awarded .
So every time a team disagrees with an official they should walk off the pitch ?
It would ruin football
what ruins football the worst is behind the scene corruption not walking out of players which we rarely see as in the case of players racially abused. blatter, platini, bernard tapei, german hoeness, calciopoli, city115 etc are most toxic and lethal to football
Yeah but lets say if there is racial abuse
If players walk off in protest , that’s taking a stance
If the team wait till the opposition have a penalty to walk off that’s just using the cause an an excuse
If Senegal thought game was corrupt why not refuse to play the game.
A bit funny they take this stance the moment they have conceded a penalty
They have to get punished
punishment is inevitable as infantino was there to please as well the next world cup ’30 host morocco. it’s worth taking. i don’t know why dan you also side with refs even with afcon’s whom you don’t know. no no refs are terrible as some readers quote here wenger’s famous words
Then don’t play the game then ?
You either trust the refs or not
So before the game refuse to play and hand over evidence of corruption
Don’t wait till you concede a penalty
And punishment is inevitable because they cheated
Ambachew,i suggest you don’t waste your time debating with Dan about refs being corrupt/bias because he will always find a way to defend them or deflect from their deficiencies.Sometimes,i use to wonder if he’s one of them or being bankrolled by them by the way he sides with them even when the corruption/bias is so obvious.
So David Moyes thought against Arsenal they should have had a penalty
You would have supported Everton walking off the pitch ?
Dan why you go too far you can simply mention Arsenal’s denied stonewall pen v Forest.
Let’s see if I’m wrong
I bet Senegal get punished
I would ban them from the World Cup
Matthew,
Hahaha got him well. Good advice thanks mate
Or …..you could just provide evidence of the corruption
Your essentially saying if you don’t like a decision…..that’s corruption
if something suspicious happens repetitively not once, there could be instances of corruption so you should question. Many teams complained about Morocco not only Senegal; before the final game was staged there were some irregularities like denying training facilities, security guarantees and ticketiing issues
They will get punished because FiFA,CAF,UEFA,CONCACAF,AFC,e.t.c are all corrupt,even all countries FAs.
No they will get punished because you can’t leave the pitch just because you don’t like a decision
You can’t say your against corruption but then say it’s okay to break the rules
I would ban them from the Word Cup
CAF can’t ban them from the world cup because Senegal are the pride of Africa. Banning them is like an own goal; no other African representative can register a better achievement than Senegal. Senegal at WC may reach Semi finals like Morocco did last term.
Dan you need to consider is if the ref gave the pen in the first half okay as there is plenty of time to recover. Now he gave it at the last kick
Even if they get fined/purnished as expected,i believe they have already made their point known by protesting against the dubious decision of the ref to disallow their clear goal and almost immediately awarding a soft penalty to the cheating hosts,Morocco.
I’ve read a report that in the Morocco’s games against Nigeria and Senegal the ball boys were taking the goalkeepers towels to stop him drying his gloves in the pouring rain.
So the reserve keeper of Senegal had to stop them from doing it. At one point three ball boys actually wrestled him to the ground.
It seems that there are no lengths to which certain country’s will not go to. To win a match.
Good DEREK. Hope Dan reads what you posted. The context was too hostile. Justice served at last. Mashallah!
I trust justice will be served
Are you talking about the City115 charges and the eagerly anticipated justice?
If about Senegal already justice has been served. Whatever fines the organizers may take as a face saving measure those are worth taking and nothing compared to the eventuality of losing the trophy.
So cheating is okay lol ?
Dont then complain about others
The cheat was the ref who disallowed a legitimate goal and awarded pen for touching a player not grabbing.
Brighton didn’t think it was a penalty
Are they therefore wrong not to walk off in protest ?
I hope we all remember what Luis Suarez did v Ghana in 2010 WC held in South Africa. By doing so he dismayed 1 billion Africans as Ghana could have been the first African nation to reach semi finals. In knock outs esp in finals we see players taking maximum risks. In Southern America football i think we frequently hear walk outs happening.
Senegal might not have walked out if pen was given some time before the final whistle because they would have ample time to score the leveller. But the unforgiving timing made them to take maximum risks which later bore fruit.
But Senegal have cheated more then Uruguay
Your saying that what Uruguay should have done is walk off the pitch and make Ghana wait for 10 mins
Your not consistent in your viewpoint
That was pure pen no one even Uruguay didn’t resist the veracity. But Suarez did that for the pride of his country. He could have let in the goal and remain on the pitch but he took maximum risk being sent off and missing the semi final and third place matches. The Senegal players also did likewise for their country
No mate thats the point
The Senegal player doesn’t go for the ball
He grabs the player and throws him to the floor
Your basically saying Senegal should be allowed to grab and throw them to the floor and if they don’t get their way they can walk off the pitch and make the player wait to take the penalty
if that was pen in a physical epl we could see 4 per match esp when players push and pull for corners
But that doesn’t mens it’s a conspiracy
Go watch it back and tell me where the player tries to get the ball ?
What your basically saying Senegal should be allowed to do what they want and if not just walk off the pitch
I don’t think you get how much trouble they are in lol
if they are not sanctioned to return the trophy, fines are bearable..
If craig pawson denies us pen v utd on Sunday, i am afraid you try to find points to defend his decisions. by the way pawson is notorious for Arsenal
I bet if that happens Arsenal have more class then to walk off ?
It will be more then fines , manager for a start will lose his job
Still waiting for you to tell me where he gets the ball ?
Craig Pawson to ref Sunday’s Arsenal v Utd. He reffed us v Sunderland which ended 2-2. He allowed physicality in that game where Timber and Merino required medical attention early in the game.
Come gametime we all look forward to the team putting their best foot forward , i cannot see the beauty in Noni , he continually plays with the handbrake on stop start stop start absolute frustration.
Not a Arsenal Gunner.