Premier League week 1 Discussion - 13/14/15th August 2011

Bashmachkin wrote:I feel sickly when I look at and consider our flanks now that Enrique has gone: Ryan Taylor will surely be a stopgap at left-back, but we look shorn of the ability to deliver a ball down the left, and short of pace and dynamism down the right. I am happy with our spine through the defence and midfield, though; and there's a strong sense in the north-east that Shola and Ba will combine in a way not seen since we paired Ferdinand with Shearer. I hope we don't lump them too many balls.

Arsenal's side still looks pretty good to me. They should have been in for Enrique, and they could certainly use a central defender and a midfielder; but their front three of Arshavin, Gervinho and van Persie sounds exciting and, provided they are fit and up for the season ahead, they should provide Arsenal with a lot of pace and flair in the attack. I don't think the loss of Fabregas needs to be the end of the world for them. There are few better players when it comes to providing through balls, especially from deep, but they might be able to play with a higher tempo in his departure, whilst he hardly led by example at a number of key points during last season.

No Walmart for Arsenal, if i was Wenger i would be putting him up against Ryan. I think it's not a bad team apart from LB.

Apparently Cabaye is a set-piece specialist, so maybe we will get a goal that way.

What a boring 1st half. Not even one goalscoring chance for either of team.

I never want to hear Arsenal fans complaining about teams being dirty again. Song just stamped on Bartons ankle, lets see if that makes MOTD.

Song should be off, hopefully FA will suspend him for that.

Song is a fucking idiot.

I wonder what Wenger thinks of his players tweeting about what decisions he should be making during matches..

incident!

finally some entertainment, apart from Bellion pwning Sagna this game has been dull.

Gervinho gets a nice 3 match rest

Oh ffs.

Barton has done a Busquets to give Gervinho a red.

That was Arsenal being played at their own game, nice one I've always said this is a side of the game we need to be better at.

Gervinho slaps Barton who goes down like has been shot.

Kimbo wrote:That was Arsenal being played at their own game, nice one I've always said this is a side of the game we need to be better at.

What cheating ?

Joey Barton total c**t !

Rosicky wrote:

Kimbo wrote:That was Arsenal being played at their own game, nice one I've always said this is a side of the game we need to be better at.

What cheating ?

No, Arsenal never cheat. Sagna made a horrible dive to get a freekick outside the box, and Song stamped on Barton. I don't think that would've happened without the stamp.

I actually thought Tiote caught Gervinho and a penalty could have been given.

Was a clear dive from Gervinho, no?

I wonder if the ref gave a direct red because it was a yellow for the dive plus a yellow for the handbags with Barton?

Arsenal bringing on the big guns, here comes Frimpong

fcb wrote:Was a clear dive from Gervinho, no?

I wonder if the ref gave a direct red because it was a yellow for the dive plus a yellow for the handbags with Barton?

He didn't react for a dive, it's what started to whole mess.

Regardless, useless performance from Arsenal. Team is nowhere near ready this season.

Joey barton is a cretin of a man he gets a little slap and rolls on the floor and complained he got punched
after he did this really joey punched? apart from that Newcastle really offered very little where we had plenty of teritorry and half chances but didnt manage to much with it.

christmasborocooper wrote:I wonder what Wenger thinks of his players tweeting about what decisions he should be making during matches..

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on Twitter: "We need to get Theo Walcott on and attacking the full-backs."

A pretty poor game. Arsenal had a lot of possession but didn't create a lot, and were slow to play a final pass on a number of occasions; we struggled to keep the ball, were overrun and outplayed in the midfield.

As for the incidents: from our perspective, Arsenal should have been down to ten men much sooner, because Song should have gone for stepping on Barton (I think he stepped on Barton's leg rather than stamped on him, and that it warranted a yellow card rather than a straight red, but Song was already on a yellow card and so should still have been dismissed). Barton obviously lost his temper after that which resulted in his aggression towards Gervinho. I'll have to see the penalty appeal again, because my impression at the time was that Tiote did catch Gervinho slightly, if not necessarily sufficiently for the awarding of a penalty. From there, no matter Barton's justified anger, I thought he deserved to go for the way he reacted to Gervinho's perceived dive. According to convention, Gervinho also should have gone for slapping at Barton's face - but I think it was harsh to send him off, and that of the three acts, Barton's was the most violent.

Tottenham's postponement may have played into their hands as the Geordie teams hold Arsenal and Liverpool, they have an extra couple of weeks to sign the striker they crave. I'm assuming players signed in the meantime will be eligible for the rearranged fixture.

They won't be eligible; and the physical conditions of the Tottenham and Everton players have today been analysed, and their diets over the last week taken note of; and the weather conditions at White Hart Line observed; so that the rearranged fixture will in all respects resemble as closely as possible the intended original.

Barton really is a fanny going down like that but then it was justice for the disgraceful stamp by Song that Wenger didn't see.

Arsenal are in pretty bad shape though, I can't understand how Fabregas and Nasri have left so late in the window, it leaves them in a right mess. Gervinho has a lot of pace and a good touch but his final ball is really poor.

Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
@ @piersmorgan I was merely helping him regain his obviously dodgy balance #cheatingbarsteward

Funny thing is though there was very little rancour between the players afterwards. There were hugs and high fives all around for Barton from Arsenal players, especially Song.

Looked like a dive to me.

Watched match of the day.

Suarez is the only player who had some spark in his play. Downing & Adam had their moments. Sunderland were impressive in the 2nd half. Found out Pool's weak right back & targetted him. Caroll scored a perfect goal, but shit decision to rule it out. As should Kieran Richardson not being sent off. If it was Old trafford, it'd be a 3-0 win. Just tells you how Anfield isn't as influential & Pool are a joke club these days.

Even more shitty to not give penalty for Gervinho clipped by Tiote. Barton cleverly winds him up like Diaby last season. Gets a player sent off again. It's like Alex DeLarge of A Clockwork Orange. Prison or any kind of correction for that matter doesn't rectify but turn criminals surreptitious & hideous than ever before.

Somewhat ironic that Barton drags Gervinho to his feet because he feels that the striker has "lost his balance" a little too easily yet the lightest of slaps is enough to knock him off his balance for a good 10 seconds.

Controversy