Kevin Whitcher
There were a number of factors in Arsenal’s shocking concession of a 4-0 lead away to Newcastle. Some Arsene Wenger can take responsibility for, some were simply outside of his control. Ultimately, a shocking refereeing performance by Phil Dowd, arguably the worst ever witnessed in the history of the Premier League, enabled Newcastle to equalize, but the Gunners allowed the game to reach the point where his poor officiating made a difference.
The first half was perfection. This was the stuff of champions in the making, reminiscent of the great team of 2001-05 at their best. Allowed time and space by Newcastle, they ruthlessly took advantage and sent a message out to Manchester United, kicking off after 5pm. However, the one thing that was totally predictable was that Alan Pardew would tell his players to start making some challenges that would shake up the visitors after the interval. Let them know you are there, rattle them, upset them, see if they can handle it etc etc. Joey Barton was anonymous in the first half, but made his impact in the second. Yet, Arsenal made it easy for him.
The visitors were evidently not prepared for this by the coaching staff at half time. So when, all too predictably, a bad challenge from Barton came on Abou Diaby, the Arsenal midfielder rose to the bait and was duly red carded. Hell, if you are going to suffer an early bath at Barton’s expense, the least you should do is break the bastard’s nose. Make it worth it. Diaby meekly pushed him over by the neck and for Barton, it was job done.
A man down, it prevented Arsenal controlling the game and allowed Newcastle encouragement to have a go, which they duly did. Wenger cannot be blamed for the injury to Johan Djourou. Where he can be blamed is the fact that, instead of a January transfer window centre back purchase, he had to replace him with the hapless Squillaci. The manager gambled by not addressing this weakness with the £40 million he has in the bank. Today, he started paying the price of losing that bet. How much longer he continues to suffer as a result depends on the length of Djourou’s absence. Suffice it to say, should Squillaci need to start the game against Barcelona on February 16, I shall be placing a seriously large amount of money on an away win.
The manager can also be blamed for putting Tomas Rosicky onto the field. This player is history. He contributes nothing and has become pointless. He is past it and will never recapture the form he once possessed. A waste of space. One would like to have thought that a bit of experience might add composure to the side, but it simply did not happen. Regarding Eboue for Walcott, Arsenal would have been better to leave Theo on just to give Newcastle something to think about at the back, given their only chance of attack was on the counter.
Now for Phil Dowd. If the first penalty was pretty soft, then I will have to find a new adjective for the second. Szczesny was manhandled to the floor after the first spot kick had been converted in a manner not dissimilar to that of Diaby’s dismissal, and yet it was the keeper who received a caution. Dowd was happy enough waving yellow cards liberally as long as they were to Arsenal players, his inconsistency absolutely stank. By the end of the game, I was remembering all those decisions that seemed to go Manchester United’s way when it comes to the award (or non award against) of penalties, and wondered if there was an agenda against Arsenal amongst the game’s authorities in this country. Could Arsenal ever win the league with handicaps such as Dowd’s display and the leniency shown to United (such as the penalty not given at Blackpool when they were 2-0 down)? Regular contributor Ian Tanner has built up a wealth of evidence about how United are favoured by referees and Dowd seemed to be single-handedly trying to hand them the title in the style of Mike Riley in 2003.
However, if Djourou had not been taken off injured (or someone other than Squillaci had entered the fray), I believe that the ball would have been won in the situations that led to the two penalties. If Arsenal had eleven players on the field, they would have found it easier to keep possession and take the sting out of Newcastle’s attempted recovery. The Gunners played enough of a part in their own downfall for Dowd’s incompetence or plain bias to matter.
The feeling at the end of the game was ‘There goes the title’. And yet, ultimately it was a case of there goes the opportunity to make up two further points on United’s lead. The result at Molineux meant that Arsenal were a point better off in their attempt to catch United than they were this morning. And critically, the feat of the ‘Invincibles’ will remain a unique one in modern times for a while longer yet.
Ultimately, the conclusion of today, in spite of United’s defeat, is that Arsenal are not resilient enough, and do not have the strength in depth to win the title. I sincerely hope I am wrong in that opinion.
The current issue of The Gooner will be available from sellers outside the stadium next Saturday at the game against Wolves. For those who cannot make it along to the match, it can be bought online here.
