Use this thread for general daily football discussion.
This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.
It’s been both funny and a bit annoying watching the anti-Arsenal numbskulls on TalkSport, ESPN, etc completely freak out over West Ham’s correctly disallowed goal.
So much screeching about “WhAt AbOuT RiCe On MaVrOpAnOs!!1!”
That. Is. Irrelevant!
If Raya hadn’t been blocked from catching the ball (and essentially had the ball jolted out of his hands - which for a second he both hands on), Mavropanos wouldn’t have got near it anyway. Because Mavro and Declan were coming in well behind Raya.
Also funny how nobody mentioned West Ham’s keeper barreling into and knocking Big Gabi over during that incident. Not that it would have made a difference to the Raya foul. But it really speaks to the myopic bias of these people.
Also hilarious that they keep saying “Arsenal do the same thing all the time!”
No, we don’t. Not any more than any other teams. The last time we messed with a keeper physically on a set piece was via Ben White a couple of seasons ago. And that subsequent goal got disallowed too (which at the time I thought was fair enough).
The ref, and VAR, got this one right.
Raya wasn’t only “blocked” he had an opposition player holding onto his arm (and preventing the other arm from being raised) and another with a big fistful of his shirt, pulling on it from behind, so he couldn’t fully jump.
I’m not saying that Arsenal don’t sometimes tread a fine line, but I don’t understand how there is conjecture about this decision.
“But what about Arsenal, they do it all the time?” Take a look at this goal from last season, Martinelli takes up a position behind Ederson (and turns his back to him at a crucial moment), big Gabby flies in at the back to score with his head. It’s not the same thing. No holding or yanking of shirts involved.
There is conjecture because it was a decision that may have decided both the champion and the third relegated spot in the 96th minute of a match. It’s probably the biggest, most important referee call since the one that sent Sheffield United down. Correct or not, it was always going to be controversial.
It was 100% correct, though.
They did and it’s a positive thing.
It was well reviewed, it lifted the bar on transparency because not only was it seen by everyone, the decision was explained. Explaining it meant the ref had to get it right.
That’s how it’s all supposed to work and it’s why the rugby codes and cricket have the integrity they do with officiating. I know managers and prayers hate it; that will change because many crucial results will become dependent on it.
I feel more upset about Beth leaving than when Viv did. Beth can still be a very useful piece to the squad.
Honestly I hope LCL comes back for her but her leaving for Citeh sucks
We really do want a positive Palace result from the Palace/City game.
It means we can rest people when we play them the next week if we win plus winning it at home being possible.
selfishly I want us not to, because the Burnley game is 3 am on a Tuesday for me lol
Yeah the timings not good for us, ours is a hour earlier on the clock I think
