Barca dominate, only beat us by a goal. Spend the majority of time outside and around the penelty box, had quite a few chances but Almunia did alright. I knew Biscuits would make a cock up and a shame Bendtner didn't just put his foot through it at the end. Would have been a travesty though. We didn't deserve to win last night, but also didn't deserve to lose like that. I had been joking in the first half about how quiet the ref's whistle was, how little i knew.
19 shots to 0, 76% possession to 24%. You could have lost by a far bigger margin if Barcelona hadn't been so wasteful, they let you off lightly.
It was always going to be difficult and it was never a yellow card imo, sometimes a bit of luck is needed to win theses games and you had none!
If you are referring to RVP's second card, while a little harsh the ref had every right to issue the card as it was a text book yellow card offence.
There is also giving the benefit of the doubt. When there is 1 second between the whistle and the shot it's a tad harsh
I remember when David Ellery (most useless referee ever) sent off Denis Irwin for kicking the ball away. It was similar to Van Persie last night in that Irwin blatently didn't hear the whistle and was trying to pass the ball to a team mate. We were 2 0 up in that game but it ended up 2 2 in the end thanks to that red card and the ridiculous penalty given to Liverpool after an excellent tackle from Blomqvist.
I seem to recall something in non-league a couple of years back about a player who was actually deaf getting sent off for it, I'll try and dig it out
Agreed the ref could have considered his discretion and given RVP a talking to. But that's the problem isn't. Refs lately were very lenient in dealing with Rooney and Carragher and now they appear harsh over RVP. Consistency is the key.
would like to point out that almunia was ****ing ace. We could have been 4-1 again if not more , great awareness, had it not been for deflection of sagna then almunia had that covered and could have gone to extra time.
When it's just the ref making descions though there will never be consistency. Also intimadated very easily usually going for home support/bigger teams. I'll admit we get our fair share of dubious decisons and im sure you'll admit at OT you get your share. The refs need help as they cant see all the action all the time.
I felt sick when Almunia came on but to his credit he kept us in it for longer than we should have been. But thats football for you.
You reckon he's done enough to earn his starting spot back from Lojack? (can't spell his surname - always have to copy it from Google!)
If schezenyezyiskizy has ruptured a nerve in his hand which is whats believed to have happened then he's out for the season meaning Almunia will be back in.
Rumours on Arsenal.com say he dislocated his finger and they are waiting to assess nerve damage. Odd's are he's out for Saturday
