As for some complaining about ref decisions, Kosh's challenge was 50-50, he could've been sent off, or kept on, and let's not forget there was one very bad tackle on one of our players that could've easily been a red car too, i believe it happened to our sub left back who came on for Miguel, he's ankle could've easily been broken by a very nasty tackle that was just inches away from full on contact. As for the added minute to 5, if you watch the whole thing again, Reading's time wasting during the ADDED TIME is what led to that extra 5th minute, if you have 4 minutes added, and 1 minute of that 4 is wasted, then it get's added back, how many times do you see 4 minutes added, and yet they play on for like 30-40 seconds?????
If that is indeed the case, then that's ****ing terrible from the linesman. Also, it's Jenkinson's first goal for Arsenal.
Also worth noting that Theo was partially at fault for the 1st goal. Bad pass to Jenks who was going forward, started to track the wide man and then stopped. Jenks was moving into the middle thinking Theo was covering. Very poor from Theo and obviously bad marking from Kos.
Did you not see the interview afterwards? Theo and Corporal Jenkinson. Told Theo then. Linesman didn't call the call, thus play on. It was also a handball on the line that was missed. Thank **** the corporal banged it back in. Anyway, Theo is holding the match ball, gets told, shakes Jenks hand after Jenks states that he is deifnitely having it then and Theo mentions he needs to give the ball back to the ref and then rolls it away downcast. Quite funny. Watching the repeat now.
I had to give my gf a lift home at 65 minutes in! Luckily i have sky so i just paused the game and didn't listen to the radio in the car! I've just finished watching the game and then reading through the comments on here - i had imagined what they might say and it was hilarious to read through this match thread - so thanks for the enjoyable read! And now i'm watching the game again! Absolutely amazing game to watch. When we got back to 4-1 i always thought the come back was on but at 89 mintes i was starting to think it wasn't our night, but what goals. The defending was all over the place - as a team not as individuals - despite Kosc poor first half and soem dodgey fouls, he made several key tackles, scored a goal and cleared up at the back in general when Djourou messed up. So hopefully he doesn't get too much stick for his mistakes! The ref was incredibly lenient on both teams - i thought that by 60 minutes in Reading should have had several cards and we should hae had several free kicks that were not even given. He then seemed to think he sould even things up and let us get away with some poor challenges. He then decided no red for the take out on Meade and no penalty for either team as well! Kosc should not have been off for the challenge in the corner though - having watched it again Kosc is being man handled, big handful of hsi shirt being pulled around all over the place. I think he was getting annoyed at free kicks not being given so decided he would start to make similar challenges! Very French. Arshavin didn't seem to quite be getting things right but he played some brilliant passes opening things up, he goes past his man every time, he put the ball into very dangerous areas, a couple of assists as per usual - i love watching him play - you just never know what your going to get but he really is talented. He had the energy to last for the full game and i think he will be getting his chance in the first team - can't wait to see him linking up with Cazorla - he always played well with tricky players like Fabregas and Nasri. Walcott - what a way to shut the doubters up - he's at 7 goals so far making random little apearances and today he was fantastic, his running was brilliant, he took on and went past his man over and over again, he seemed to be a mature influence on the team - very pleased with him - i really want him to sign a new contract - he is one of the most productive wide players in the league. Giroud was a beast when he came on, along with Eisfield he changed the game, he was strong, confident, scored an amazing header and linked up play well - he also got the fans going. Eisfield was creative, quick and he will be knocking on the first team door, every time i see him he looks a quality player, didn't seem phased at all. Chamakh is a player i really liked when he first came to Arsenal, and the goals he scored today were great - not a header or a tap in but a brilliant effort from outside the box and a calm chip over the keeper, the first to go ahead and the second to seal the win. When he is confident he can score, when he isn't he can be rubbish. The first half was terrible bar the Arshavin pass and Walcotts beautiful finish, but what proceeded after that was an attacking spectacle that we haven't seen for a while! To lift there heads from 4-0 down and go on to get the win with mainly youth players available on the bench was good to see and i think Wenger must have really riled them up at half time, from the comments after it would seem so and the performance was something else. I'm so glad i pressed that pause button before going out to drop the gf home!
Good analysis. Not sure that I agree with all of it though. Especiallu dropping your bird off during the game. She should have stayed over and got you the beers when required, or she should have buggered off before the game.
Yea, and basically everyone disagreed with you and gave good arguments for why you were wrong. End of discussion.
What a game. Tidy finishes from Walcott too, maybe he's playing his way into the striker role. Reading though... any team of that quality that can't hold a four goal lead... relegation surely beckons if they do that in the league.
Not always. We dropped 4 against Newcastle and survived The biggest difference between the 2 halves was Giroud. He came on and took the game by the scruff of the neck, lifting the other 10 slackers with his ability, work rate and commitment. Best impact substitution I've seen in ages.
Game confirmed what i already knew about Giroud. He's strong, good in the air, can hold the ball up well. He's also quite slow and wont beat players with skills
Giroud was a boss when he came on. He was strong, quick, won the ball in the air, had good control and skills on the floor (he ran past like 3 players at one point!). He was also getting the fans going when we scored, waving his hand up to say "give us more noise!". It's great to see the players interacting with the fans and getting everyone on the same side. And his goal was simply one of the best headers i have ever seen!
