Arsenal 2015-2016: The One That Got Away

Terras

Says he wants a Revolution
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Jun 25, 2007
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Well. They certainly waited as long as they could for that one.
 

sachmoney

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I remember, a few years ago, Eboue fouled Lucas after Arsenal had fought so hard to get the 1-0 as Lucas was going away from the goal in the box. It was such a dumb foul and unnecessary and the ref had no choice but to give the pen. Kuyt nailed the pen. Players are dumb and impetuous. Still doesn't excuse Wasilewski or Eboue.

Despite dominating possession, I don't think Arsenal was anywhere near their best. Several players looked like they had the sharpness of a butter knife. Really frustrating match, not just because of the officiating. I thought Simpson's second yellow was light, but I'm pretty sure he had a worse foul in the first half that was unchecked. I feel like Leicester were getting away with a lot in the first half that boiled over in the early second. Thought Arsenal should have had a couple penalties from Leicester handballs that were more penalties than Vardy's clattering into Monreal. While it was a bad call, it looked like a penalty live. The uncalled handballs are what makes me more upset about it (well, not anymore).

After that first half, the game was gonna go two ways. Either Arsenal was going to let the game get away from them, which has happened many times. Or resolve would kick in and they'd get point(s) back. Glad it was the latter.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
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What a finish. They deserved those 3 points.
As it played out v ten men yeah. But Atkinson should have gave Simpson a warning. His last tackle was not a yellow for me. A game like this we really do need a ref not to get too involved. But so often refs put their mark on a game.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
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As it played out v ten men yeah. But Atkinson should have gave Simpson a warning. His last tackle was not a yellow for me. A game like this we really do need a ref not to get too involved. But so often refs put their mark on a game.
Well sure, but if we're going there then Leicester's goal should never have happened either.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
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The lack of a call on the opposite side of the pitch with the player sitting on Ozil's back that sprung the counter in the first place. That was about as clear as it gets.
 
I haven't had a good jump-up-and-down, scream-like-a-banshee sporting moment like that in quite a while. Thanks, Danny!

I did say before the game that I had a gut feeling Arsenal would win; it just felt to me as though it was Arsenal's turn to have something good happen, and Leicester's to have something bad happen. How many times this year have Arsenal knocked at the door time and again late in a match without getting the equalizer/winner they were looking for? And how many times have Leicester had things break for them just the right way? Results are the confluence of luck and skill; Leicester have been the best team so far this season, but I don't think they've had many (if any) moments where it looked like things were going their way and then didn't. I wonder if this might be the moment when Leicester stops absolutely believing that this is their year, and conversely, when Arsenal really starts believing they can and will win the title.
 
Dec 21, 2015
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Did Welbeck even change the path of that ball? It looked like it continued on its course from the kick on the restart. He at least grazed it, sure, but it looks like he got little more than a few of those heavily-slicked hairs on it.

I was shocked the keeper didn't move into the path of the ball. He just stood there. Had Welbeck not touched it, it would have gone untouched into goal from about 35m out with Schmeichel doing a statue impression.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
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Jul 22, 2006
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I can never decide if the earth revolves around Liverpool or Arsenal.

Good thing the vast officiating conspiracy didn't stop plucky little Arsenal Football Club from knocking off 10 man Leicester.
 

Soxfan in Fla

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Did Welbeck even change the path of that ball? It looked like it continued on its course from the kick on the restart. He at least grazed it, sure, but it looks like he got little more than a few of those heavily-slicked hairs on it.

I was shocked the keeper didn't move into the path of the ball. He just stood there. Had Welbeck not touched it, it would have gone untouched into goal from about 35m out with Schmeichel doing a statue impression.
Think the keeper was playing for a re-direct and Welbeck, as you noted, barely even touched it so there wasn't any true redirect.
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
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I remember, a few years ago, Eboue fouled Lucas after Arsenal had fought so hard to get the 1-0 as Lucas was going away from the goal in the box. It was such a dumb foul and unnecessary and the ref had no choice but to give the pen. Kuyt nailed the pen. Players are dumb and impetuous. Still doesn't excuse Wasilewski or Eboue.
That game was crazy. 0-0 97 minutes in, then van Persie 98, Kuyt 102. All that extra time thanks to Carragher getting KO'd by Flanagan.
 

sachmoney

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Aye, those can go either way mate. I feel your pain.
I don't think either team can be happy with the officiating. It seemed like Atkinson changed his course in the second half and that sort of bit Leicester in the back. I don't think that foul warranted Simpson's sending off, but I do think that he was close to a second yellow given unchecked fouls in the first half, if we're going by aggregation.
I haven't had a good jump-up-and-down, scream-like-a-banshee sporting moment like that in quite a while. Thanks, Danny!

I did say before the game that I had a gut feeling Arsenal would win; it just felt to me as though it was Arsenal's turn to have something good happen, and Leicester's to have something bad happen. How many times this year have Arsenal knocked at the door time and again late in a match without getting the equalizer/winner they were looking for? And how many times have Leicester had things break for them just the right way? Results are the confluence of luck and skill; Leicester have been the best team so far this season, but I don't think they've had many (if any) moments where it looked like things were going their way and then didn't. I wonder if this might be the moment when Leicester stops absolutely believing that this is their year, and conversely, when Arsenal really starts believing they can and will win the title.
Leicester have seemed like a very confident team and I'm not sure this shakes them at all to be honest.
I can never decide if the earth revolves around Liverpool or Arsenal.

Good thing the vast officiating conspiracy didn't stop plucky little Arsenal Football Club from knocking off 10 man Leicester.
So you admit that the officials were the reason Wednesday beat Arsenal in the League Cup. ;)
That game was crazy. 0-0 97 minutes in, then van Persie 98, Kuyt 102. All that extra time thanks to Carragher getting KO'd by Flanagan.
This was a true gut punch of a game.
 

mikeford

woolwich!
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Aug 6, 2006
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I'd rather have just lost.

Alexis has been horrible since his injury. Just an absolute zero. Can't pass worth a damn.

Oxlade Chamberlain hasn't improved one iota since we signed him from Southampton.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

Found no thrill on Blueberry Hill
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Sep 9, 2008
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When will they replay? I think if Tottenham draw tomorrow maybe they postpone the North London Derby, but that would kind of suck. Otherwise, they may have to play the replay on the weekend the other teams are playing the sixth round.
 

sachmoney

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Apparently, Arsenal is pushing to have the game that weekend (of the next round ties), but it sounds like the match may be scheduled during the week after the North London Derby. It's pure speculation from the rags, but it seems like a likely possibility. It seems logistically improbable that any of the upcoming league matches gets pushed with only the NLD really making sense, since the clubs are so close together. Honestly, the Prem and TV might be okay with moving it since it can only get bigger as the two clubs fight for the title.

Arsenal's midweek schedule should open up after tomorrow. The unstoppable force meets the movable object...
 

Luis Taint

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I haven been this excited for a sporting event, since the Pats/Hawks Super Bowl. Prediction:Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I have a bad feeling based on Wenger's team selection, which screams "Lets just play our game."

I'd rather start Coquelin-Elneny in the pivot, Ramsey at RW, and Theo up top and just try to hold the fort defensively and play on the counter.
 

blueguitar322

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Sep 20, 2005
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Stupid challenge by Monreal, yes, but also felt like a complete mis-read of the game by the ref. On replay, Monreal clearly pulled his leg back and was as far from studs up as he could possibly get. These aren't exactly teams that are going to get into a physical battle. Let them play.