2023/24 Champions League

[rossdapep]

There's pundits out there calling it a "clever" move from Saka. It's cheating plain and simple, but because Saka's a lovely lad we can't call it what it is.

Remember when we used to be up in arms about a European team diving and cheating to get a win.

We used to cry about it for weeks.

Refs used to blow for dives etc.

Now it's the other way around!

 

[leffe186]

I’d cross the road to chin that cheating fucking wanker. Detestable club, blatantly practiced.

That’s exactly what it felt like. It really looked like he initially went to go round the keeper then remembered what they’d worked on in training and tried to dive but he got the timing wrong and just sort of jumped up a bit

 

[cjbyid]

Ooo that Bayern penalty appeal is interesting

 

[bubble07]

Also deliberate handball. Isn't that a red?

 

[DiscoD1882]

Probably why legohead kept his mouth shut about the pen in the post match interview.

 

[cwy21]

Also deliberate handball. Isn't that a red?

No.

 

[mark87]

Also deliberate handball. Isn't that a red?

Not denying a goalscoring opportunity so don't think so

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

In all seriousness - Saka was lucky to avoid a serious knee injury with how far he had to stretch his leg to kick Neuer:

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

Biggest robbery of the night;

 

[robotsonic]

Hopefully anyone actually wanting to see a penalty given for that goal kick faff never complains about "game's gone" like scenarios in the future, as imo we'd have to be mental to want to see football matches decided in such a fashion.

 

[cwy21]

Hopefully anyone actually wanting to see a penalty given for that goal kick faff never complains about "game's gone" like scenarios in the future, as imo we'd have to be mental to want to see football matches decided in such a fashion.

SpursChat would have a total meltdown if a pk was called against us in a CL QF for that. "Spirit of the laws" still exists for a reason.

 

[Buggsy61]

Hopefully anyone actually wanting to see a penalty given for that goal kick faff never complains about "game's gone" like scenarios in the future, as imo we'd have to be mental to want to see football matches decided in such a fashion.

Agreed, but it’s Arsenal, so most (me included) would see it as overdue Karma.

 

[ajspurs]

I was about to say.

When Pep first came, City did exactly that and had critics saying they try to walk it in.

They still kind of did for a couple of years but after a while they started switching it up.

I do wonder if we do that cause Ange doesn't want players taking potshots until we have got our attacking flow right first.

If you are trying to coach good habits into how they should attack but then tell them to start taking more shots from distance you may not get the attacking results you want.

Yeah that's an interesting point. I'm not sure what would be right. On one hand you'd understand that and you certainly wouldn't want long range shots to be constantly breaking up the play, but on the other hand you could possibly argue that there is a balance that could still be established. Like against Forest on Sunday, Bissouma took more shots than he normally would, and I don't think it disrupted too much. Of course though you'd rather someone with better ball striking to be taking such shots though.

I guess it's also a fine line because as we know, Ange likes to encourage freedom within the players, so I'm sure he drills patterns into our play, but he may also leave the responsibility as to when one should shoot to the players, with them deciding themselves that they don't want to repeatedly waste opportunities.

Like with multiple elements to our current style of football, it's probably mostly about balance. Son dilly-dallied a lot on Sunday when he could have gotten a shot off, and our pivotal goal came from someone finally just shifting the ball and whacking it. I'm sure we'll strike a better balance in time!

Sorry for going off course a bit in this thread.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a 'kid's mistake' and he won't give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarterfinal. It's a horrible, horrible explanation. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake, whatever - we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us”.

 

[rossdapep]

Hopefully anyone actually wanting to see a penalty given for that goal kick faff never complains about "game's gone" like scenarios in the future, as imo we'd have to be mental to want to see football matches decided in such a fashion.

Yeah I've maintained this stance for a while now.

I don't want to see pens given for.

- Players in non-scoring/shooting positions collapsing to the ground for being brushed.

- A ball being smashed at a players arm from close distance.

- A coming together where both players are at fault but the attacker gets the benefit.

It should be hard to get a penalty and should try to be for certain fouls (like Saliba on Sane tonight) and situations where a goal scoring opportunity is denied by a shove/push/trip/strong enough contact.

Also, stop using slow motion. You can't judge it with the same lenses.

 

[cwy21]

Yeah I've maintained this stance for a while now.

I don't want to see pens given for.

- Players in non-scoring/shooting positions collapsing to the ground for being brushed.

- A ball being smashed at a players arm from close distance.

- A coming together where both players are at fault but the attacker gets the benefit.

It should be hard to get a penalty and should try to be for certain fouls (like Saliba on Sane tonight) and situations where a goal scoring opportunity is denied by a shove/push/trip/strong enough contact.

Also, stop using slow motion. You can't judge it with the same lenses.

The Laws of the Game still have this at the start. Giving Bayern a PK here would be asinine.

Those who are educating match officials and other participants should emphasise that:

referees should apply the Laws within the ‘spirit’ of the game to help produce fair and safe matches

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

Hopefully anyone actually wanting to see a penalty given for that goal kick faff never complains about "game's gone" like scenarios in the future, as imo we'd have to be mental to want to see football matches decided in such a fashion.

I only want it given against Arsenal.

 

[UncleBuck]

I love to bash Saka, so by all means carry on - but this is a team ethos, and Saka is just one of the team. Every single player on that squad has that same mentality - go down on slightest contact and exaggerate contact/injuries.

Going to play devils advocate here and say isn’t that what they all do now? They just seem to get more decisions go their way for cheating than other teams do

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

The Laws of the Game still have this at the start. Giving Bayern a PK here would be asinine.

Maybe - but never discount the pure abject hilarity that would have ensued.

The world needs more hilarity.

 

[mcbridemartin]

Maybe - but never discount the pure abject hilarity that would have ensued.

The world needs more hilarity.

I have still not quite got over that Nani goal for United all those years ago when Gomez put the ball down for what he thought was a free kick. Referee (think it was Clattenburg so no surprise) seemed to signal free kick but allowed goal to stand. Not much spirit of football shown that night!