CL DRAW

[Kim Kallstrom]

Ozil 15 out of 28 passes completed

[Derek]

Tard ^

[Chaos]

Ozil 15 out of 28 passes completed

Bag him all you want, my bet, you never watched the game and googled his match stats. He, along with ox and sanogo were very threatening early before the red card. He has never been known for dead eye passing as he tries constantly for the defence splitting pass which he was decent with this morning. But you of course know better

[Kim Kallstrom]

No I haven't seen the game yet but if you want to tell me that a player who turned the ball over close to every 2nd time he had it and missed a penalty go ahead.

You all said that Ozil was a great player after he first signed and I said wait till the big games. You have to admit that he has gone missing in pretty much all of them bar 1 or 2 CL group stage games.

[Chaos]

How the hell can you comment on a game you never watched??? Why don't you post the pep interview post match and see what he says about the game before the red card muppet.

I for one do still stand by it that he is a good signing. Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands. As goes you saying he is missing, sure it's not a case, as it has been with arsenal thus far this season, that others have stepped up and taken his focus away...

[Kim Kallstrom]

How the hell can you comment on a game you never watched??? Why don't you post the pep interview post match and see what he says about the game before the red card muppet.

I for one do still stand by it that he is a good signing. Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands. As goes you saying he is missing, sure it's not a case, as it has been with arsenal thus far this season, that others have stepped up and taken his focus away...

I don't see how my views based on the stats of the game are any different from criticising Soldado (for example) for not scoring goals even if he has had a good game... I made the Ozil comments not just on that one stat but from various news articles and twitter. I did hear the game was more balanced before the red card, but I guess the complexion of the game would have been different if you had scored the penalty.

[Derek]

How's your mate Lamela doing?

[Nice One Cyril]

The triple punishment now to be inflicted on Szczesny shits me! The whole dynamic of a game changes and an outfield player has to be sacrificed to make way for the reserve 'keeper. This happened recently to Howard of Everton in the EPL too, sent off for the merest of touches..

That was no DOGSO with Robben moving on an angle away from goal after only sort of controlling the ball.

No wonder the UEFA General Secretary has insisted the "triple punishment" issue is on the Laws-of-the-Game Board's AGM agenda of 1st March 2014 and that it is resolved 'once and for all'.

I hoped Arsenal could have held out 0-1. Koscielny shouldn't have gone walkabout.

Get over it

[Facts and Stats]

Con writing rubbish, nothing changes.

[haywood djablowme]

Get over it

Haters gonna hate, hey Cyril

Didnt see you & your Muppet mate Kim, Lamela (whoever the FUK he thinks he is) dishing out grief to Citeh & their over priced players flopping yesterday

Jog on Jew Boys

[Nice One Cyril]

Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands.

Can't have it both ways. When he first signed, he was supposed to be better than Bale (according to the Gooners on here), you were all creaming your pants over him. Now he's just enough?

You'd be fool to dispute that he's a very fine player and he wouldn't be the first to have an average first season, then spring to life in the next, but equally, he could be another Arshavin and be fucking hopeless from here on.

Anyway, good luck in the return leg.

[Big Mac]

Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands.

Can't have it both ways. When he first signed, he was supposed to be better than Bale (according to the Gooners on here), you were all creaming your pants over him. Now he's just enough?

You'd be fool to dispute that he's a very fine player and he wouldn't be the first to have an average first season, then spring to life in the next, but equally, he could be another Arshavin and be bottle of shiraz hopeless from here on.

Anyway, good luck in the return leg.

Show one post where anybody suggested he was better than Bale.

Your right he could be another Arshavin, or worse still a Soldado or Lamella or.......

[Kim Kallstrom]

Get over it

Haters gonna hate, hey Cyril

Didnt see you & your Muppet mate Kim, Lamela (whoever the shiraz he thinks he is) dishing out grief to Citeh & their over priced players flopping yesterday

Jog on Jew Boys

I didn't watch that game either so I'm not going to comment on it

[Nice One Cyril]

Get over it

Haters gonna hate, hey Cyril

Didnt see you & your Muppet mate Kim, Lamela (whoever the shiraz he thinks he is) dishing out grief to Citeh & their over priced players flopping yesterday

Jog on Jew Boys

How does that Arsenal theme song go?

Fuck all, you're gonna win fuck all

[haywood djablowme]

Can't have it both ways. When he first signed, he was supposed to be better than Bale (according to the Gooners on here), you were all creaming your pants over him.

Firstly, Bale has along way to go to achieve anything like Ozil if you have a look at his personal record at club & international level

Secondly, your mate Kim creamed his pants over Erikson & Lamela & what have they ever done, let who are they?

Thirdly, we had every right to cream our pants over the Ozil signing if you have a look at his personal record at club & international level.. & I have no doubt if the Spuds pulled off such a transfer coup they to would of reacted the way us Gooners did

His record speaks for it's self, I have no doubt a player of his quality will find his confidence & form to again be touted as the best #10 in the World

[haywood djablowme]

How does that Arsenal theme song go?

We won the league at 3 point lane

Stand up if you hate Tottenham

[Nice One Cyril]

I have no doubt a player of his quality will find his confidence & form to again be touted as the best #10 in the World

So, you're saying he's playing garbage at the moment? One of those rare moments when I fully agree with a Goon

[haywood djablowme]

I have no doubt a player of his quality will find his confidence & form to again be touted as the best #10 in the World

So, you're saying he's playing garbage at the moment? One of those rare moments when I fully agree with a Goon

When did i say he was playing garbage Cyril

He currently is not playing to the level he has in the past

[Nice One Cyril]

I have no doubt a player of his quality will find his confidence & form to again be touted as the best #10 in the World

So, you're saying he's playing garbage at the moment? One of those rare moments when I fully agree with a Goon

When did i say he was playing garbage Cyril

He currently is not playing to the level he has in the past

Now you're saying he's finished? You really have got it in for Ozil

[Juventino]

The triple punishment now to be inflicted on Szczesny shits me! The whole dynamic of a game changes and an outfield player has to be sacrificed to make way for the reserve 'keeper. This happened recently to Howard of Everton in the EPL too, sent off for the merest of touches..

That was no DOGSO with Robben moving on an angle away from goal after only sort of controlling the ball.

No wonder the UEFA General Secretary has insisted the "triple punishment" issue is on the Laws-of-the-Game Board's AGM agenda of 1st March 2014 and that it is resolved 'once and for all'.

I hoped Arsenal could have held out 0-1. Koscielny shouldn't have gone walkabout.

Get over it

Agreed

[swannsong]

Impartial observation...
Robben should have been booked for dangerous play before he feigned the pain after beeing upended..
Studs up at face height running at the keeper !!

[Con M]

Impartial observation...
Robben should have been booked for dangerous play before he feigned the pain after beeing upended..
Studs up at face height running at the keeper !!

As a respected, senior & neutral forumite, thank you for that observation Swanny.

[haywood djablowme]

Impartial observation...
Robben should have been booked for dangerous play before he feigned the pain after beeing upended..
Studs up at face height running at the keeper !!

Good observations Swanny always looking out for the keepers

No doubt pen, just don't agree with the red card

[swannsong]

Good observations Swanny always looking out for the keepers

No doubt pen, just don't agree with the red card

Keeping has little to do with it...if someone raised their studs that high in the middle of the park....a free kick would be given about 90% of the time.
I was basing my thoughts more on the 4 years I spent as a referee.

[Nice One Cyril]

Good observations Swanny always looking out for the keepers

No doubt pen, just don't agree with the red card

Keeping has little to do with it...if someone raised their studs that high in the middle of the park....a free kick would be given about 90% of the time.
I was basing my thoughts more on the 4 years I spent as a referee.

Very much depends if there was any possibility of contact in that position but they look miles apart.

Sounds like Keepers Union stuff to me

[swannsong]

Wojciech Szczęsny red video

If you watch the video you will see Szczęsny come out and spread himself whilst Robben approaches him with studs facing him
...Szczęsny catches Robben after he lands and then Robben looks over his shoulder and launches himself into the air ....
Something Robben would never do... Robben diving
I think Szczęsny also half pulled out and turned his head because he was trying to avoid Robben's studs...
However, Szczęsny deserved a booking for the contact.

[Con M]

Well, no surprise at the frivolous and personal responses of Liverpool, Spurs & Juventus supporters on this thread. I wish they would stick to discussion of the issue, not the dig at me, but there you go.

Fortunately ESPN commentators like Craig Burley, Gabriele Marcotti and Paul Mariner and others on the 'net about the controversial issue of the 'triple punishment' including suspension of Arsenal's 'keeper agree it was too harsh, even as the directive stands, especially given the fact Robben was moving at an angle away from goal & not necessarily in control of the ball. Swanny has expanded on this with his detailed post.

The ESPN commentators & others were aware that the issue is hot on I.F.A.B.'s agenda for discussion on the 1st March AGM of this Laws-of-the-Game Board. No less a figure than UEFA's General-Secretary says everyone is talking about it and feels it is an injustice and wants it resolved 'for once and for all'.

For the benefit of some, again - the original intention of a red card for a defender impeding a forward clean through on goal, but outside the box, was because a yellow card and a mere free kick was not considered punishment enough. Inside the box a yellow card & penalty for a DOGSO foul sufficed as punishment. A ref can still red card a violent, dangerous foul.

IFAB got it wrong originally and people are hoping they have the guts to fix it. They claim they are now an autonomous organisation under Swiss civil law, they have their own website, they claim they will now be more consultative and properly be transparent and explain their decisions. It will be interesting what they have to say on the 1st March 2014 in Zurich.

[Chaos]

Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands.

Can't have it both ways. When he first signed, he was supposed to be better than Bale (according to the Gooners on here), you were all creaming your pants over him. Now he's just enough?

You'd be fool to dispute that he's a very fine player and he wouldn't be the first to have an average first season, then spring to life in the next, but equally, he could be another Arshavin and be bottle of shiraz hopeless from here on.

Anyway, good luck in the return leg.

Wow NOC, normally (and Haywood will probs clip me one for saying this) you speak somewhat sense about football and it's terms. But that is stupidity right there pal. Comparing him to an Arshavin or Lamela (oh that's right, you gotta play first team), is nonsense. And you know it. He has been in a squad that has won near on every major trophy available and has been integral to his sides play.

Maybe he doesn't speak enough English and cannot understand his teammates?? Will that be a decent response?

I expect for his price tag we deserve more but he has still proven a very valuable asset and has also bought the best out of those around too, Ramsay and Cazorla having fine seasons thus far.

[Nice One Cyril]

Sure, like any player that comes with such a price tag, they are heavily scrutinized. But the skill set he brings has been enough so far as it stands.

Can't have it both ways. When he first signed, he was supposed to be better than Bale (according to the Gooners on here), you were all creaming your pants over him. Now he's just enough?

You'd be fool to dispute that he's a very fine player and he wouldn't be the first to have an average first season, then spring to life in the next, but equally, he could be another Arshavin and be bottle of shiraz hopeless from here on.

Anyway, good luck in the return leg.

Wow NOC, normally (and Haywood will probs clip me one for saying this) you speak somewhat sense about football and it's terms. But that is stupidity right there pal. Comparing him to an Arshavin or Lamela (oh that's right, you gotta play first team), is nonsense. And you know it. He has been in a squad that has won near on every major trophy available and has been integral to his sides play.

Maybe he doesn't speak enough English and cannot understand his teammates?? Will that be a decent response?

I expect for his price tag we deserve more but he has still proven a very valuable asset and has also bought the best out of those around too, Ramsay and Cazorla having fine seasons thus far.

You lot are too easy.

For the record, I didn't compare him to Arshavin (or Lamela, that's Kim's little baby) in talent terms, I actually stated that he was a fine player, simply that Arshavin was like a Christmas sparkler, shone brightly for a brief moment, then fizzled out.

But, I have to be honest, I did have a chuckle at the result, especially as Soldado never misses from the spot

[Nice One Cyril]

IFAB got it wrong originally and people are hoping they have the guts to fix it.

Con, you're probably a lovely bloke, but you need to get off that soapbox.

What people are hoping they change (I won't use the word 'fix', because it isn't broken) it? You and half a dozen others maybe, but for every one that says yes, there's 100 that say no.