I think the international break could serve us well if we get a result at United, because after all the big games we have played, I could've seen our players go into a home game with Southampton thinking it will be easy because of all the results we just got back to back against the top teams, so having 2 weeks until the game, and players having international duty, is probably better.
A loss against them wouldn't be the be all and end all, they're a good team high on confidence. Definitely deserved their win against us.
Although you don't see them given very often in England, IMO opinion that was a penalty, just barely. Ramires has possession and doesn't change direction. The defender runs into him. Absolutely dumb by the defender. If Ramires had changed direction into him then you wouldn't give it, but was it careless? Well, yes it was. It wasn't insignificant contact. So, even though Ramires sold himself like a cheap whore, you have to say that the referee was within his rights to give a penalty. Now, if he hadn't given one, I could have understood that as well. I'm afraid that call (IMO) was all down to the ref's opinion on how hard Ramires was hit.
To me it looks like ramires runs and then falls into the defender without being touched...can't see what the defender was supposed to do
Yeah - I see that little lean as he goes into him, but I have to be honest, he was going to run into the guy no matter what. The defender makes no attempt to avoid him, he runs straight into him. As a defender, if you don't avoid that collision with a runner who has possession of the ball, the referee is going to see it as a charge, and then it is all down the dreaded excessive force decision.
Would like to see you drop points tomorrow so you don't get too far ahead. But I'd like to see Utd lose even more. So, good luck tomorrow.
I'd be gutted if that was given against us tbh...I don't think it's the defenders responsibility to avoid an attacker who is running at him... by the way I ain't arguing cos I think you're being contrary...I just find it interesting that we have opposite views over it
It`s not a little lean, if you watch it on the camera behind the goal he has actually lost balance and throws his shoulder at the defender but comes off second best.
Nowhere near. Adam? Suarez? Or the mortal enemy of all Arsenal fans, Ryan Shawcross. Really? Hughton won 3-1, surely guarantees him another week at least. Jol could well be gone though.
Yep I hear you, and like remembercolinlee I would be gutted if it was given against us, but like I say, under the letter of the law, it was within the referee's discretion. I should add that I don't think I would have given it, and I plead guilty of being contrary pointing it out.
True. A draw would be ideal - but just can't see it myself. So the the lesser of two evils has to be a win for the Gunners To be honest I can't see anything else than a win either, Utd will sit back and defend the Moyesy way and get turned over by the balance of your midfield. I do fear for Matth's safety though when you win For those that know Matth - this makes some good reading!! His twitter page https://twitter.com/rvp_2012
My 2 pence worth about the penalty is his reputation. He's not traditionally known for diving, so I think the ref took that into mind. If it was Suarez or a few others they would have got booked and penalty not given. It clearly wasn't a penalty and ref's should do better than that at this level, but Mourinho and his interview was a serious pisstake. The man is complete areshole, also anyone noticed how much he's aged since coming back to Chelsea - god he looked like a ****ing tramp yesterday.....
I personally think it'll be a draw as United will raise their game for us for sure. I think we have enough quality to at least grab a point there. A loss is not the end of the world although it would be pretty gutting and frustrating. I'd rather lose to Southampton than that crowd (no disrespect to the Saints). The Manure fans will be unbearable should they win.
From an outsiders view I beg to differ. I think you're far superior to them this season, especially because Moye's seems scared to have a go at teams that can counter quickly. I can understand that you want to stay grounded and not 'assume' you'll win. But personally I'd be very surprised if you didn't get the 3 points
You're probably right, although I think I'm still haunted by all the beatings they have handed out to us and false dawns that have been dashed over there, over the years. If you want my honest opinion I think the difference between the Arsenal side of last year and the Arsenal side of this is not simply the addition of quality players, it's the change in mentality that is refreshing. I think a team that can go to Old Trafford and play without fear will be a victorious one. West Bromich Albion showed it.
That's exactly it. Teams go there and don't play with fear anymore, quite simply put - take Fergie out the equation and there simply isn't anything to fear. The crowd are considerably quiet for such a big fan base, When I went a little while back I could not believe the atmosphere - well to be honest there wasn't one! Teams this season have no fear going there and rightly so. Let's have it right Fergie won them the league last season, they had a pretty average squad but Fergie was the difference - he's gone and it's blazingly obvious their a totally different proposition this time round.
A win will boost Arsenal to loftier heights. Hope you do it. Infinitely prefer Arsenal to United or the joke club Chelsea.
