Martin Taylor, Eduardo and more media myopia
By Paul Williams on Monday, February 25, 2008
| Date | Time | C | Opponent | F | A | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb, 23 | 12:45 PM | P | Birmingham City (A) | 2 | 2 | Draw |
So ... 48 hours later and still the tremors reverberate around the players, management and supporters of Arsenal Football Club.
Saturday was a very bad day for Arsenal Football Club, and let's be clear on this, it would have still been a very bad day even had the referee not ridiculously awarded a penalty to Birmingham City as the four minutes of stoppage time came to a close. The injury suffered by Eduardo da Silva at the feet of Martin Taylor, as most of you reading this know already, was simply horrific.
I don't particularly want to go into the intent of the tackle, as Alan Hansen said last night, in one of a few surprisingly on the money comments, the only person who can tell you about the intent is Martin Taylor himself. Knowing whether he meant it or not will not help us, it will certainly not help Eduardo, but credit to Mr Taylor for his apology.
However, I would like to talk about Arsène Wenger's post-match comments, and the rather ridiculous reaction to both those comments and the tackle itself by certain people involved with the game. People, you feel, who should know better.
Kevin Ratcliffe, Garth Crooks, David Platt, Steve Bruce and yes, Richard Keys, you stand accused by this writer of not having a damn clue.
I wasn't at the game yesterday and couldn't get to a TV to watch it live, so I listened to the commentary on 5live and at half time, it was as though Kevin Ratcliffe had appointed himself Martin Taylor's defence lawyer - not that bad a tackle, perhaps not even worth a yellow card.
A point of view Steve Bruce and the horrible, moon-faced David Platt (did we really once pay this guy's wages?) concurred with. Well, perhaps we can understand Steve Bruce agreeing with a point of view like this.
There is a photo somewhere of Taylor about to make contact with Eduardo's leg and in the background stands Francesc Fabregas - the look on his face tells you he can see what's coming.
Not worth a yellow card lads? Really?
I don't know who was commentating with Ratcliffe yesterday, but he seemed fully aware of how bad that tackle was. How is it ex-professional footballers can't see it?
Garth "stonewall penalty" Crooks (really, Garth?), predictably, pompously, focused on Arsène Wenger's reaction without having the intelligence to put it into context - Wenger should be focusing on his players poor performance, apparently.
He should also be banned for claiming Taylor should never play football again. No matter that Arsène was interviewed post-match and was visibly upset at seeing his striker cut down as he was.
Yes, Wenger was over the top, a fact he has subsequently recognised in retracting his initial comments - at least his brand of over the top has not ended a professional career.
I hope Crooks retracts his comments as Arsène did his, but I won't hold my breath. And for the record, the only stonewall penalty at St. Andrews yesterday was the one Adebayor should have had.
Incidentally, one thing that Arsène did say in the heat of the moment yesterday, relating to the idea that to stop Arsenal you have to kick them, and that this incident has been waiting to happen - how many of you reading can disagree with this?
Maybe Arsène felt he had to retract it, but over the years, players like Alexander Hleb, José Antonio Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp have all been very lucky to escape serious injury. Why is it football teams feel so unable to compete with us "footballistically" that they have to resort to Hackney Marsh tactics?
This is from the summary of the Guardian's live text commentary of yesterday's game:
Richard Keys, meanwhile, growls "get up son, sort yourself out". It's quite revealing that Sky's anchor has slipped into more of a sanctimonious funk over Gallas's minor tantrum than he did about the horror tackle which could easily have ended a talented young player's career, but that's the way it seems to be.
No one particularly wants to see Gallas reacting as he did yesterday, but a) he has seen a colleague cut down viciously and b) a joke penalty decision to go with the joke free kick Birmingham were gifted for their first goal and our joke finishing combine to rob us of three points.
Yet again, Sky contrive, dare I say deliberately, to miss the point. Is Gallas' behaviour really worth Richard Keys getting so sanctimonious about? Not really, no.
Was the tackle worth it? Let me answer that one for you - yes. But apparently David Platt didn't even want to talk about it. God forbid the same thing should happen to the Godlike Wayne Rooney, hey lads?
I just hope Arsène is able to focus, and get his players to refocus, on the football and make sure we win something for Eduardo this season.
If they feel anything like I do at the moment, they'll be feeling like football doesn't matter at all. In the meantime, I think I can speak for everyone here at Arsenal-Mania in wishing Eduardo the speediest recovery possible.
User Comments
67dusan stefanek
Posted on 2 Mar, 2008 at 12:37 AM - Reply
Everyone who injures his oponent had to be suspended for the time of the reconvalescency
66barry k
Posted on 27 Feb, 2008 at 08:01 PM - Reply
i was thinking the exact same thing,what if it was some johny foreigner on rooney?Richard etc would want him banned for 3 lifetimes
65AB
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 03:06 PM - Reply
Brilliant article, couldnt agree more, I'd like to say that after buying the Sunday Mirror the next day and seeing the absolute load of shite written, focusing on Gallas' behaviour and totally blowing it all out of proportion, I will never buy that paper again - that, and the Daily Mirror have for a while now, been turning into the anti-Arsenal brigade. The articles written by their so-called sports reporters regarding this game was absolutely ridiculous, instead of focusing on the important things that occurred during the game, seem to have telepathic abilites and were able to read William Gallas' mind and that he reacted the way he did because he is a bad loser - the fact poor Eduardo rcvd a horrendous injury, and the referee making some diabolical decisions had nothing to do with his reaction then? A double page spread calling Gallas a drama queen - what the hell is all that about??? If you want to piss yourself off even more visit the sunday mirrors Michael Calvins' article, the man needs his hands chopping off to stop him writing such crap.
64FREDRICK MUTISYA JOEL...
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 02:47 PM - Reply
Mine is to wish Eduardo da silva quicky recovery,becouse he has done great intrest since his arrival at the Gunners, inorder to see him back to the pitch, becouse he co-odinates well with Adebayor, becouse he is a left footed player and Adebayor is a rightfooted player .Eduardo's injury has affected all arsenal fans in the whole world, may the almighty God make him recover within a shot period of time.
63FREDRICK MUTISYA JOEL...
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 02:46 PM - Reply
Mine is to wish Eduardo da silva quicky recovery,becouse he has done great intrest since his arrival at the Gunners, inorder to see him back to the pitch, becouse he co-odinates well with Adebayor, becouse he is a left footed player and Adebayor is a rightfooted player .Eduardo's injury has affected all arsenal fans in the whole world, may the almighty God make him recover within a shot period of time.
62Masaccio
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 02:21 PM - Reply
I was at the game on saturday - I've also seen bad tackles by arsenal players on man utd players and Barcelona players to name but a few - these things happen, sometimes a bad injury occurs, other times not.
Wenger was silly to make his comments and Gallas isn't showing any respect to his team mates.
All the best to Eduardo.
61Gary Young
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:48 PM - Reply
Good article and spot on in all respects, particularly the last three paragraphs. As for the comments from those employed by the Sky media 'Man Utd' love-in bandwagon? What else would you expect from such nausious twats such as Richard 'Gorilla man' Keys, Andy 'I talk shite all day' Gray and that fool David Pratt (yes Pratt). Between them all there is not ONE brain cell. I have already emailed a complaint to Sky TV regarding that muppet Keys.
Good luck to DUDU and to a full recovery and I cannot wait to see you back in the red & white of Arsenal.
We will prevail because we are THE ARSENAL, so fcuk all the rest.
60Dipo Sotinwa
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:43 PM - Reply
Brilliant article, well said0.
59NUYK
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:22 PM - Reply
Lets hope our spirit and mentality is not down...we are strong...Lets play the best football ever for the fans and Dudu.
Once ARSENAL always ARSENAL ---In wenger we TrusT ---In The End -We are the Champions and UEFA champions League Winner !!! Eduardo keep on supporting us...come to the stadium and We will show the world that We ARSENAL are the Best in the World.
for the fans all over the world.!!!!!
58shahmer fans club arsenal
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:12 PM - Reply
i hope u(eduardo) have a strong help u broken n i fed up martin taylor......u are very brave tq
57Maureen
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:04 PM - Reply
My heart tears and prayers are with Eduardo. He was coming into his own and I think its really a pity that he was curtailed in such a manner. I think people who are saying that it wasnt even worth a red card or that Arsene Wenger over- reacted should for one second sit tight and imagine it was their own child in that situation. We cant change what has happened we cant share the pain with Eduardo but we can pray and wish him a quick recovery and appeal to the Team ownerns to spare no expene in ensuring he gets the best treatment the world has to offer. If we can do that for him we would have repaid him for his love for the team now and hopefully for the future. It really breaks my heart that one season into his promising move to Arsenal he encounters such horrow. Thanks to TAYLOR FOR his apology, which I want to believe, is genuine but maybe in future you will think twice before you tackle someone half your size. This hurts so excuse my emotions.
56zay yar
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 12:44 PM - Reply
Taylor fuck you
55aungthant
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 12:40 PM - Reply
Taylor you should kiss my ass
54Samuel
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 11:53 AM - Reply
The Lordwill help Eduardo recover . I am praying
53BlackForestUnit
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 11:09 AM - Reply
we from Germany wish you good luck and fuck this taylor
52Amsalu from Ethiopia
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 10:25 AM - Reply
I am very annoyed not on the comments given against Wenger but about the refrees bias on Arsenal.Every ref is aginst Arsenal.The FA too for not taking measures to Mike Dean for awarding undeserveg spot kick and a penality.I am sure SirAlex Fergesson is giving instructions to the refs.
51fasil
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 09:59 AM - Reply
I hope Arsenal win the PL for Dudu and for fans. May JESUS heal GUGU quickly
50S Bakht
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 09:07 AM - Reply
There should be sportsman spirit and each and every player should be given the same importance either its Rooney or Eduardo.
no one can compete arsenal footballistically. this is the clear proof of how beautifully and rightly football the gunners play.
comments afterwards show we need to pessimistic while playing on the pitch which is not obviously present in the dictionary of gunners.speedy recovery Edu.
49bolaji "Dough" form Lagos 9ja
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 08:21 AM - Reply
may be if the FA enacts a law that makes the offending player to stay out of football the same lenght of time the injured player stays out till full fitness will something likr this stop, in my opinion, as you rightly saidif it happened to wayne rooney would all these so called experts not turn the other way, i beleive the way otheplay arsenal is with kicks and horrible takcles, this would not stop us playing our beautiful brand of football. Speedy recovery EDUARDO>
48awet london
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 06:56 AM - Reply
will i agree110% bro and u know what we will win it trust me no one can stop as come on u gunners one love pual mate
47Leonardo Ribeiro
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 03:48 AM - Reply
I think Martin Taylor should be banished of the fields.
46Marcelo07
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 03:28 AM - Reply
Thanks for this Paul... even in our own space I really need to read something about it that make sense in my mind. Seems that we are alone on this, but what the hell... ARSENAL 'TIL I DIE!!!
45Riezal MAFC
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 03:27 AM - Reply
I'm really hope that Arsenal will win something this season for Eduardo.
44maya
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 02:59 AM - Reply
There's comment from all kind of people with some saying its not worth even a yellow card, Steve Bruce ex Birmingham manager also quoted saying that. All i say is wtf, how does Taylor intent to tackle cleanly with foot as high as that.
Surprisingly FA haven't spoken at all regarding this matter. I think its time for FA to revise some rules regarding this kind of tackle which is for me are the most dangerous kind of tackle. This tackle can end footballer carrier god damn it.!
43Ken
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 02:14 AM - Reply
Agree 110% mate
42Dan Frank
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 01:03 AM - Reply
I totaly agree with everything said in this article and would add that surely when a dangerous tackle(commited with or without intent)results in a serious injury to a player,then the guilty player should have to face a ban comparable to the amount of time that the injured player is out of the game.If players knew that they would suffer such consequences then they would be far more careful about such wreckless play.If a player is too clumbsey to play and tackle in a professional manner at the top level ,then perhaps he shouldn't be playing at that level.Also I would be very interested to know what was said in Alex Mcleish's team talk before the game,(let them know you're there lads,get stuck in ,they don't like it up 'em ,go in hard' etc,etc,.....is the manager guilty of incitment to commit grievous bodily harm,...everybody knows that teams try to kick arsenal out of their stride,but its the manager who tells them how to play!
41Bob Mostarc
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 12:28 AM - Reply
Looking at this tragedy I can not help but believe that this was intentional. Perhaps to get even for loosing to Croatia or perhaps even worse an evil attempt to stop Croatia for performing their best in the forthcoming Euro Championship 2008!?
It is imperative that this player is expelled for ever and Birmingham City Club be punished financially as well! This will stop future tragedies as this one.
40Keys
Posted on 26 Feb, 2008 at 12:14 AM - Reply
Article to the point. Period.
39Addy
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 11:26 PM - Reply
Get off your high horse mate.
Gallas was a disgrace and deserves to be told so. Would Keane, Terry, Gerrard, etc behave that way? I think not. What a muppte!
Get well soon to Eduardo.
38Yusuf Bulama
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 10:28 PM - Reply
Thank you, Paul Williams, your articles proves to me there's still hope for the British.
Two days after the horrifying attack and the last tears still have not dried in my eyes. The Champions League final of 2006 included, this is the worst Arsenal game I have ever seen. I agree, to some extent, that Taylor had 'no malicious intent' when he made that tackle, but the fact remains; he did not intend to take the ball, his intention was to play as less talented players all play against Arsenal (and get applauded for it). Arsenal, perpetually blamed for it's negative contribution (or lack of) to the English game.
And about Gallas. What is the criticism about, anyway?! William Gallas displayed strength and dedication by staying focused on the game even after Eduardo had fallen. He did not kick anybody for the entire duration of the match. After the match, he showed weakness and vulnerability; Gallas is not a robot. The match affected him more than other Arsenal players because he had BOTTLED ALL THE EMOTION IN FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR!
Paul Williams, I thank you for wording our point of view. And to Eduardo, I hope that he remembers a certain frenchman who was in a similar situation and missed a World Cup because of a broken foot. I am talking of Arsenal's wily former seventh man, who came back to be better than ever. I want Eduardo to remember Pires and take heart.
37Martin Goonley
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 10:16 PM - Reply
Totally agree with you on many points. I for one could not believe the reaction of David Platt and Richard Keys. They found it hard to believe that our players were affected by what they had seen.What did they expect.To come back like they did was a credit and a tribute to Eduardo. The game should have been wrapped up and the end was not deserved and very unfortunate. The passion Gallas showed spoke volumes of the drive behind the team. Strength though can come from adversity and lets hope that we prevail.
As for the post match comments by Arsene, I for one thought that calling for a life ban was a bit over the top but on seeing the stills in the Sunday papers then Arsene seemed almost vindicated. How bad was that tackle ? One flying , straight leg with studs up aimed and hitting full on half way up Eduardos shin.Pictures never lie , take a look Mr Bruce and co . Is that how you teach people to tackle ? A three match ban for something like that seems ridiculous.
36real gunner
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 10:13 PM - Reply
thank you very much your comment, very thing you said is what i wish i could have said in setanta or sky sport.
35Kunle
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 09:09 PM - Reply
Well i think,he has made a very good contribution,but Wenger should make sure this guys are encouraged he should let them know that there's nothing to worry about,rather they should win the Premier League for Eduardo.i want to use this opportunity to wish Eduado a quick recovery,& we(arsenal fans) love him.he should see it as a challeng,& shouldn't allow it to weigh him down.
34ron
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 09:00 PM - Reply
I would just like to pass on my best wishes to Eduardo and hope he makes a speedy recovery. No football fan wants to see that type of injury to any player regardless of club loyalties.I sat and watched it on Sky and was appaled at the injury. I hope he plays again soon. Ron, an Everton fan...
33Jamal, London
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 08:44 PM - Reply
Some good points here Paul, well done. It seems to me that Wenger is getting more flack for his choice of words than Taylor for his horrific tackle on Eduardo. UNBELIEVABLE. Anyways, i just hope like all football fans that this injury does not end his career at top level and that he comes back better than ever. GET WELL SOON EDDY.
32simon
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 06:59 PM - Reply
brilliant, brilliant article
31Mark Byworth
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 06:50 PM - Reply
I am constantly nauseated by the attitude the media take toward Arsenal, & this time is no different. It seems the only way we will ever stick it to them is by winning trophies. Who needs them anyway?? Let them cosy up with Utd & Liverpool as they do , & we true fans will enjoy the pleasure watching the Gunners brings. Best to Eduardo, the courage & determination he has displayed in the aftermath of this most tragic event has been inspirational. Best to Gallas too, who afterall shows the passion we all feel in our hearts.
30Michael
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 06:42 PM - Reply
I am also angered about the apparent comments of McLeish in saying that he didn't think that Taylor should have been red carded. It doesn't mean didly if Taylor is not a malicious player in the past, he was on that tackle. I am still trying to find the reason for him going in on that takle like that. doesn't make sense to me. I've watched it over and over again and still the same conclusion. I just hope that he will be healed and healed back to the same Eduardo we have come to know.
29gooner
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 06:27 PM - Reply
i agree with u 100 percent.i think all these teams in the epl just try to knock our players around and try and bully us on the pitch.But what they dont realise is that at the end of the day its all about playing football and not about bullying the other team.as far as the eduardo incident goes, if the same thing had happened to wayne rooney, all these pundits and commetators would have themselves said that taylor be banned for life.
28Zoe Antoniadis
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 06:08 PM - Reply
As a Forest fan I haven't got a huge opinion on the premiership but I have to agree with most of this article. All the commentators were more interested in slating Gallas and Arsene than the horror of seeing a proffesional footballer broken. Also why didn't anyone seem interested the ref's dubious decisions? If Gallas is supposed to remain totally unaffected by the incident then surely so does the ref? My brother wouldn't be happy with me but im rooting for Arsenal for the title for Eduardo!!
27Dani
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 05:08 PM - Reply
Well said Paul. I agree with everything you said and yes all that matters at the moment is that Eduardo recovers, he is so talented and it would be terrible if this ends his career at 25 (today) years of age.
26Jordan
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 05:05 PM - Reply
I can't help but agree with the last paragraph
25Keys
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 05:05 PM - Reply
Can I jus start by wishing Eduardo a speedy recovery and hope he comes back stronger for this.
I cannot get over what Taylor did and they can all talk about him being not a dirty player but if you get in your car and unintentionally kill u get done for manslaughter.We should not excuse such tackles because of someone's presumed kind heart or whatever u want to call it.
Eduardo comes across a genuinely nice guy, should he be punished for being skillful.
Lastly I would rather see Gallas throw a strop than he just put his head down and act like he didnt care. I just hope next time it is in the dressing room. Remember when Rio blasted a ball into the crowd, how many times does Rooney get away with throwing his dummy out but i guess they're English and they're labelled passionate.
Lastly, thank God Larsson is no longer a Gooner, I hope they get sent straight back down to the championship.
24Sohail Chaudhry
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 05:05 PM - Reply
Completely agree with you there but there is something to cheer you up though http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=488085&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Club+releases+statement+with+update+on+Eduardo+injury
23Nick Sudbury
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 04:49 PM - Reply
Succinct and to the point....especially the bit about if it had been Rooney. Hit the nail squarely on the head. Am I the only one that felt that 'bubble-head' Platt even hated us during his time as a player with us? He is nothing but a dour anti-Arsenal snooze button when on the box. He had the same ability as Brooking to speak for 5 minutes and nobody has heard a word he said. The tackle, I have no doubt, was a poor one although not malicious. The extent of the injury is due to an awful accident and a lot of bad luck. This does not detract from the number of horror tackles that we have been subject to under the Wenger reign, beginning with that nameless Jock nobody who put Manu Petit on crutches for the title celebrations at Highbury. AW is absolutely correct that it was just a matter of time and as ever he has been proven correct. Let's hope this spurs the players on. I can visualise us parading the Premiership pot around the Emirates, complete with all the players in an Eduardo named shirt. Up the Gunners.
22Jaginder
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 04:04 PM - Reply
Good article. I thought Gary Linkekar's opening comments on MOTD (good, bad & ugly) while smirking were very flippent and missed the seriousness the foul deserved.Then the other arsenal hater's on the show(hanson and lawro) both made a meal of Gallas's reaction - do they not understand the emotion that gallas must have been feeling after seeing what happened to Edu. Sure if Rooney, gerrard or lampard had been on the receiving end of that foul the atmosphere would have been like a funeral.
21jacko
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 03:44 PM - Reply
brilliant
20gerard nor
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 03:36 PM - Reply
wenger should not retract statement only players at man utd are safe rayes new he had to leave or get hurt
19ed
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 03:24 PM - Reply
get over yourselves, whenever a player steps onto the pitch they are at risk of injury. it was a bad tackle yes, but he wasnt the first at wont be the last. go jimmy mac! blues to stay up, man u t win the league, arsenal to remain bitter all season.
18Connor Flynn
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 03:06 PM - Reply
i give all my best wishes to eduardo
17vic delveir
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:45 PM - Reply
Great article, i must admit he frustration caused but other teams constantly having to kick arsenal players is just to much. The eduardo injury has been waiting to happen, much like the abou diaby injury against sunderland.
I feel really sorry for eduardo as, i think he was improving dramtically, and had signs of greatness. When and if he returns will be intresting as no player is the same after sserious injuries. I wish him all the best adn again wish arsenal can start shooting as they will not, win anything if they continue to try and win games without scoring.
16Paul Peart Smith
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:37 PM - Reply
Well said. As usual I'm disgusted by the antics of the gutter press and those so-called pundits, who all wish Arsenal no good at all. Susch is the reverence for Manchester United, such is the zenophobia against a french manager who DARES to chalenge for the Premiership, despite spending a fraction of his competitors, that they would rather see Arsenal crack up instead of it been proven once and for all that their meat and potatoes, dinosaur football is (gratefully) a thing of the past. That's their agenda, and we Arsenal fans know it. I wish Eduardo a speedy recovery and to all the players in a red and white shirt: finish the job for Eduardo, Arsene and the fans. Fuck everyone else.
15AndyB
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:30 PM - Reply
It’s another gutting day for Arsenal. Everything went against us. With regards to the Taylor tackle, I reckon it was dangerous lunge and rightly deserved the red card. If it had been 6 inches higher or lower Eduardo may be out with something a lot less serious but it appears he caught him in exactly the wrong place at the side of the foot where the ankle bends and the rest is history. No need to lock Taylor up and throw away the key but a ban is deserved, if he’s as nice as they all say he is, he won’t lunge like that again. Let’s wish Eduardo a speedy recovery.
The game itself – a ridiculous decision with the free kick, the guy fell over without the ball at his feet. How typical McFadden scores a great free kick from it. Adebayor should have squared to Bendtner and the last minute penalty would not be an issue. Adebayor however is one of the stars of our season and without him, we wouldn’t be top of the league. Let’s hope he learns from that mistake and is more unselfish in front of goal when another player is in a better position and certain to score. Then the penalty - Clichy makes his second mistake of the season (falls asleep instead of clearing the danger ball) but he still produces a magnificent tackle to make amends. For me, that was the sort of defensive tackle which wins you matches and instead we were penalised for it. Maybe we should change the rules that defenders are only allowed to block shots in the penalty area! It was odds on McFadden would put it away because when you have the sort of day we had, it rains, it pours.
I will say that it is up to Arsenal to make their own luck now. When players tend to drop their shoulders and feel sorry for themselves, they lack confidence and tend to continue getting the bad rub of the green. It’s difficult when you’re on a bad run but we must play each match as if it’s the first day of the season and not worry about the last result or what United or the others are doing.
Lastly I would like to say let’s give some deserved praise to Theo Walcott for getting us back into the game and scoring 2 great goals (especially the 2nd one). When he scored a brilliant goal in the Carling Cup final it was overshadowed by the loss. When he scores 2 against Slavia, it was only Slavia. When he equalises against Spurs in the Carling it was a lucky goal. And now he nets twice against Birmingham and would have more press if he scored an own goal. The boy is coming good at exactly the right time.
14Akwasi
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:30 PM - Reply
I agree with all the issues you raised. The game has robbed us of and intelligent player (I wish him a speedy recovery) and the ref 3 points. It is time we see players as who they are and the skills they have for football lovers. Arsenal may not play England 11 but Wenger has contributed a lot to English football
13AnthonyG
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:21 PM - Reply
Nicely put Paul. It's a shame, as you point out, that the mainstream media have dropped the ball so royally on this incident. The media and the game needed a wake-up call; this sad episode it it. Unfortunately, however, it seems as though it will be buried amongst a pile of sycophantic and apologetic garbage.
12aj
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 02:20 PM - Reply
Surprisingly, I find myself agreeing that Hansen, for once, seemed to have the most intelligent comments to make. On the BBC website, he said that he had been in a similar position when his team-mate Beglin had his leg broken and he made some injudicious comments. He said that Wenger should not have said what he did but the fact that he retracted them when passions had calmed down is enough and that matter should be closed.
But do you excpect the tabloids to let it stop there? Not a chance - they have an opportunity to have a go at Wenger and Arsenal and they are not going to let it go,
11Luthor
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 01:43 PM - Reply
Very well constructed article. The bias shown by commentators and pundits alike toward Arsenal over the years can be described. Andy Gray's comments were quite sickening aas he persisted in his argument that adebayor had fouled the keeper during arsenal's first goal, even when the slo-mo quite clearly produced evidence to the contrary. Then to my 'astonishment' (yeah right) the exact same reaction to the Birmingham, 'penalty.' So its a clear-cut penalty even though the slo-mo overwhelmingly concludes clichy having kicked the ball away from the attackers feet?? From where this bias is conceived I am not sure, perhaps the fact that Arsene refuses to field a team of 2nd rate englishmen, the best of which are unable to qualify for a certain tournament which the likes of Eduardo and his Croatian team-mates cruise to. Or dare I say it, the fact that over the years, Arsene has been able to construct a double-winning side made up predominantly of black players. Ouch that must hurt the 'ever-unanswerable, speak your mind at your peril' F.A. Adebayor barely has to breathe on a player before our so-called 'expert' pundits call blue murder. Whilst the same 'physical approach' exercised by national hero Alan Shearer, would be met with raptuous praise I'm sure! Conspiracy maybe, but what is factual is that this bias is not newly contrived. As a life long gooner I have become thoroughly accustomed to it and whilst some may bemoan our apparent 'bad luck', I'd like to remind us gooners that this adversity will just make the taste of success even sweeter when our brand of FOOTBALL lands us another premiership crown this season.
P.s In regard to this type of thing waiting to happen, i'm amazed that Hleb has not suffered any serious the way teams set about kicking lumps out of him. Good luck in your recovery Eduardo!
10Ole Gunner
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 01:21 PM - Reply
It is really sickening to see the media try to make Arsenal into the villains in all these. One idiot implied it was Eduardo's fault for being so quick. Shameful!
9Ole Gunner
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 01:02 PM - Reply
It is really sickening to see the media try to make Arsenal into the villains in all these. One idiot implied it was Eduardo's fault for being so quick. Shameful!
8Miron Spahiu
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 12:48 PM - Reply
i just want to wish Edu-9 to keep his faith for recovering as soon as possible and when he came back in the grass i want form him to send a message to all who know what is football and kill all gk
7Reflector
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 12:42 PM - Reply
Mate, well done; you are absolutely spot on. If this had been anyone else but Arsene, the comments surely wouldn't have drawn such widespread condemnation from pundits and journos. Over on his website, Goodplaya asked us to consider the reaction if it had been Rooney being chopped like Eduardo; you know what the answer would be. All the best to Eduardo and hoping for a speedy recovery for our No. 9.
6gooner7
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 12:26 PM - Reply
good points well made.
5pat the Gooner
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 12:22 PM - Reply
It is unbleievable the media has more to say about Wenger/Gallas reaction than the tackle itself, nut not surprising. If this was a united player there would be outrage and if Fergie had said those comments everbody would be supporting him. Gallas was a baby and Wenger did overreact with his comments, but who wouldn't after seeing his player nearly crippled by a horrendous tackle, his team awarded a dodgy penalty in the 94th minute (where did four minutes come from in the second half and his players miss hatful of chances to destroy Birmingham, he is only human. But back to the main point how can anyone even begin to defend that tackle, Eduardo may be quick but he went in studs up at shin height, left his foot in and raked his studs down to his ankle. Horrendous pure and simple!!! Mcliesh, the Birmingham players, particularly Larsson (who simply wasn't good enough for Arsenal by the way) should be ashamed of themselves for moaning about Arsenal's reaction when one of their teammates committed an act of horror like that, not to mention the two terrible decisions which gifted them a point they just didn't deserve or have the ability to get without the refs help. Having said all that Arsenal's lack of finishing was abysmal and they can only blame themselves for dropped points!!!
4Eddy
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 12:13 PM - Reply
Richard Keys is a Manchester United supporter in the same vein as Clive Tydsley so such biased assessment doesn't surprise me coming from a man who thought Wayne's dive deserved a penalty.
3John
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 11:59 AM - Reply
An excellent summary of events. One small point, however, you have forgotten the pompous Andy Gray and his contiual drivel.
2Karen
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 11:56 AM - Reply
I work as one of the translators at ARSSC (Arsenal Russian Speaking Supporters Club) and everyone at ARSSC wish Eduardo a speedy recovery
1jackson Otako
Posted on 25 Feb, 2008 at 11:44 AM - Reply
That was a viciuos reckless and deliberate tackle.Taylor has no business playing soccer if he
is out to bring to an end other players footballing
careers.Eduardo had already settled and now he is gonna be out for a whole year just coz of Taylor.The boy eduardo had already started enjoying his game then this happened.
Iam an arsenal fan from Mombasa Kenya
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