Loads to get through today, but then I have been a bit slack recently so let me get straight into it.
First let me tackle the actual football match that took place on Saturday. After playing reasonably well, without forcing a save from Shay Given despite Gallas coming close, Arsenal fell behind to a comical own goal.
Gareth Barry's free kick was floated in to Richards who nodded it across goal where it struck the post, bounced back and hit the diving Almunia on his back and fell into the goal. While there was some rotten luck, Almunia looked like he was struggling to get across his line, Sagna gave away a silly free kick which led to the goal and Vermaelen won't be pleased at being outjumped so easily be Richards.
Arsenal equalised after a nice turn and shot from Van Persie. Then all hell broke loose. Adebayor, who earlier had stamped on Cesc's ankle appeared to rake his studs on Van Persie's face. This appears to show a stamp. Clichy then lost the ball while storming forward, the covering Song put in a weak attempt at a tackle before the ball was cut back for Bellamy. Then, again down Clichy's side, the ball was crossed for you know who to score. Arsenal by this time were all over the place and conceeded a fourth to Wright-Philips. A smart move earned Arsenal a consolation through Rosicky, who also made Arsenal's first, and it ended 4-2.
The defending was "shaky" by Wenger's own admission but Clichy was especially poor, with three goals coming from his side. If he is going to attack he needs to be provided with proper cover. Also what he does when he gets in the opposition half is another valid question. I struggle to remember a recent goal or assist from Clichy.
Now on to what became the main talking point of the game, the behaviour of Adebayor. As the link above shows, it seems he went out with an agenda on Saturday and while nobody knows if he went out to hurt people he clearly went out with the intention to get stuck in and more. The stamps on Cesc, and especially the one on Van Persie, have no place on a football pitch, people could have been seriosuly injured. As for him running 90 yards to taunt the Arsenal fans, that just about sums him up. In his mind he has been wronged, he was the one who was betrayed. He has forgetten statements he made last year, trying to drum up interest by any club that wanted him. Arsenal fans supported him and more before that. The saddest/funniest thing about this is that history will repeat himself. In a year or 18 months or maybe even a bit more, he will do to Man City what he has done to Arsenal. He has had rows at previous clubs and with his international team. Quite simply he is trouble and we are well rid of him.
Lastly is the news that Eduardo's ban has been overturned by UEFA. After the ridiculous decision to charge him, this was the only sane thing to do. Either they look at all incidents of diving or none at all. They can't pick one at random, ban a player and think that is fair. It has nothing to do with whether or not Eduardo dived and everything to do with consistency.
Tomorrow we have our first Champions League game of the season, away to Standard Liege. More on that tomorrow.
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