I write in the aftermath of Arsenal’s impressive comeback from a goal down against an agricultural and downright ugly Hull City side. The post match reflection has been dominated by the (over)reaction from Hull officials and their ensuing accusations against Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal FC and what seems like everyone south of the Humber Bridge. Is this just a classic case of the North/South divide or is there something a little more sinister afoot?

The first thing to consider is the language and tone used by both sides in the post match sledging. Hull’s manager, Phil Brown, described the purported spitting incident involving his assistant, Brian Horton, and our own Cesc with the following epitaph “That tells you what this club is all about”.

Cesc Fabregas is alleged to have urged the Hull players and staff to leave the E******s pitch with the gentle encouragement “f*** off back up North you w***ers”. These two comments reveal a great deal about the respective clubs.

On one hand, Hull, and similarly Brown, are small fry. A club in its first ever year of top flight football; a club with only 0 trophies in their 104 year history; a club hailing from a region that favours Rugby League to Association Football. On the other hand, Arsenal: a club who has finished in the top half of the Premiership every season bar one since its inception in 1993, a club with 27 major trophies, A club boasting past players such as Liam Brady, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry (not to mention a certain Catalan playmaker).

The two clubs are almost incomparable from their geography to their footballing tradition, Hull emanating from the rural, isolated Yorkshire coast, and Arsenal based in the capital city. The Tigers practice direct football epitomised by their burly, workhorse of a captain, Ian Ashbee and various target men employed this season such as Daniel Cousin, Marlon King and Manucho (in fact, even the stocky warhorse Dean Windass has lead the line for Hull this year!). The Gunners employ a style far more easy on the eye, symbolised by midget gems such as Nasri, Arshavin and Fabregas.

Hull’s only flair player of note, Geovanni, has been misused by the hapless Brown, culminating in a cacophony of boos from the Hull supporters as the Brazilian was withdrawn early on in a crucial fixture against Newcastle United. Brown learnt his trade as an assistant coach under Sam Allardyce at Bolton. One would struggle to find a place less accommodating to passing football than the Reebok stadium under “The Walrus”. This is in stark contrast to the Arsenal of Arsene Wenger, a coach who, though clearly imperfect, must be admired for his determination to cultivate passing football with highly technical players throughout the side.

The match of 17th March itself was notable for many things, but something that caught the eye of this particular observer were the regular attempts of Arsenal’s Dutchman Robin van Persie to draw attention to Hull’s time-wasting tactics. Van Persie hails from Holland, a nation steeped in history of beautiful football, climaxing in the Total Football expressed by Johan Cryuff in the 1970’s. Time-wasting and long balls are something alien to the Dutch, for whom possession of the ball is something to be cherished. No wonder then that Van Persie, Arsenal’s star player this season, was so incredulous at Hull’s ugly tactics at the E******s.

The night will also be remembered by Phil Brown’s disparaging remarks about Arsenal such as Fabregas’ apparently inappropriate clothing (a bit rich from a man teased the week before on MOTD2 about his laughable speckled overcoat). Brown also questioned the attitude of Arsene Wenger, blaming the Frenchman for getting his players booked. The facts tell a different story as Hull received six cautions, and thus an FA fine, from a highly experienced, if undeniably flawed, referee in Mike Riley. Brown could learn a lot from Wenger as he later maintained his stance of refusing to comment on anything that took place in the private settings of the tunnel and dressing room, a practice common among experienced managers. Wenger made no wild accusations and indulged in no idle witted tittle-tattle after the game.

This leads me to conclude that Brown is out of his depth in Premiership management and his club have no right to question the traditions of Arsenal, one of the most admired institutions of world football. Brown was touted as one of England’s brightest coaching prospects after Hull’s promotion, but his failure to deliver results in the second half of the season and his lack of managerial experience (his spell at Derby was an unquestionable disaster) identify him as a rank novice who should conduct himself with far more decorum.

Hull, Premiership fledglings, have proved themselves to be most distasteful to all Gooners and their anti-football attitude epitomised by the horrible Brown should lead all Arsenal fans to rejoice in the delights of Arsene, Arshavin and Arsenal.