Eleventh man frustrates twelve men
Van Bang
By Boris Mellor
December 22 2008
As I predicted in my preview this was hardly a classic game, Liverpool were far too timid for that to happen. With Arsenal down to ten men for a third of the game they didn't manage more than five shots on target, or only four according to the BBC.
Unlike some games with vast numbers of empty seats nearly all the purchasers of tickets turned up for this one, and nearly all of them booed the ferret faced one for the whole of the time he was on the pitch. As I predicted elsewhere, but it was cut, the ferret faced one scored. Not only do Arsenal suffer the law of the Ex, that is Aliadiere scores his only two goals a year against them, but also the law of the Ex Spurs player.
Arsenal had taken the lead with a brilliant goal by van Persie, it was from his chocolate leg. I don't think the leg matters anymore with RvP, it's his position in front of goal. Let him shoot from the centre and it's a cert either leg, push him wide and he will miss.
Then the Arsenal fans amused themselves with mocking Liverpool's rugbyesque approach. Every hoof was greeted with jeers, but what they, and the Arsenal defence, failed to notice was that the ball was getting into space, and Liverpool players getting closer to the ball.
The jeers had hardly died down when the hoofed diagonal ball launched into space found Keane. Almunia had no chance from Keane's stunning shot. Even so a few fans mumble that the keeper hadn't done well enough. The crowd went silent, past disasters playing before their eyes. The half time whistle was a welcome relief.
After the second half Liverpool started to dominate, and Diaby had been falsely told that the Gunners were playing in grey and proceeded to pass to every Liverpool player in sight. It was time for a senseless sacrifice and Webb obliged by sending Adebayor off. Now the crowd went mad, they had a cause, they don't trust this team, but they sure hate refs. The crowd became the eleventh man.
Now if Liverpool are to be the new champions then the gap between Arsenal and the league winners would not be that wide. However on present form they don't look like champions to me. This was their fourth draw out of the last sixth games. Better than Arsenal but nowhere near as good as Villa's current form.
Arsenal looked far better with ten men and Liverpool looked far worse with 12. I say 12 because although I won't go over the old ground of did Adebayor do it or not, it has been done to death, rather it was Web's method of blowing for very Arsenal infringement real or imagined, and ignoring all but the most blatant infringements by Liverpool. Actually I should correct that, a quite blatant elbow on RvP was ignored. Added to that were several blatant dives by saint Gerrard, true Web didn't give free kicks, but he didn't book any divers either.So Arsenal lost two very valuable points, meanwhile Liverpool lost the chance to extend their lead. The crowd went home happy, yes it was a draw, but it wasn't any old draw. This was a draw against the odds. The team might lack craft, but at least it found its heart.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:24:17:29:37 by Padre Pio.
Done my head in.
The support against Liverpool in the EMrates was amazing, if only they supported like that against the lesser teams too.
Manure will win the league if recent displays by Arsenal, Pool and Chelsea are anything to go by.
As for Webb, Howard the Coward has never been kind to us and he never will be. As for Gerrard diving, Padre you are wrong he has never taken a dive in his life, how dare you cast doubt on Saint Gerrard, if he had dived wouldn't Webb have taken action, wouldn't SKY have mentioned it in commentary or in the after match analysis or in the Andy Gray stuff with Dermot Gallagher and of course wouldn't the great british media have mentioned it on Monday in all the reports but not a word in print or on TV anywhere. Padre you need to pen an apology now
ANd yes, THE CROWD did help with their continuous booing and full-hearted support for teh TEAM< especially that aprt of EBoue.
I hiope htis SEIGE MENTALITY is permanently isntilled into all those yougnsters who wil now focussed fiercely to beat every teams.
And why I am confidently we will beat Aston Villa.