RSSGunners bounce back , Keegan loses plot. Report and playa ratings
One shot to save all game and he held it very well.
7.5
Up close you see just how physically strong and athletic the guy is. Kept Newcastle very quiet. Never reacts when he gets kicked, which must be infuriating for the opposition.
7.5
A quite uncharacteristic miss early on. Otherwise fine.
7
One good shooting opportunity that he rightly took on. Looked fairly solid, although was drawn towards ball for the Owen chance.
7
Really bombed forward at times and in the second half he just seems to become phenomenally strong. Incredible energy, great running and after five years, he finally broke his duck: we saw a shot on target.
8.5
A bit of a nightmare of a first half, where everything he touched seemed to go awry. But deserves credit for getting into the box and getting his shot away for the goal and after that he seemed to relax a little.
6.5
You can see he was the little kid who grew-up playing on concrete with big kids. Shows genuine signs of being the second coming of Robert Pires. Runs with his head up, runs with purpose and knows where the goal is. And I know this might be by-the-by but when he did decide to retaliate against a player, he did something that is really annoying but can only ever be punished with a yellow card. Compare that to Hleb’s idiotic bitch slap at the end of last season.
8
There was the awful ball that led to the Owen chance. And then there was the brilliance for our goal and generally some really positive running. Look back at everything I have said and you will see I have never doubted his ability, just his application.
7.5
Finds space and finds the killer balls almost without one noticing.
7.5
Some excellent link-up play with Adebayor, a great penalty, a right-footed finish, a ridiculous shot off the bar that seen is person was quite scary and the requisite injury.
8
Lots of good work, but is not quite there at the moment. These things often take time for strikers.
7
Screwed up two pretty presentable chances but also went on a couple of great runs.
6.5
Much stronger than I imagined he would be. Sure, we were 3-0 up, but he was sharp, direct and a real pain for defenders. Also likes running with it.
7.5
The jitters are gone. Both his and mine. Hurrah.
7
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
From Goodplaya at the Emirates
THIS was great stuff on a gorgeous day accompanied by a terrific atmosphere.
Firstly: Make no mistake, the booing of Adebayor did not end with a good performance. It ended beforehand when the majority, sick of the boos of a few being seen as the sentiment of the majority, pointedly went out of their way to sing his name. And quite right too.
Newcastle looked useful, but were destroyed. Perhaps opting for two up front rather than five in midfield was their undoing. Either way, we’d have beaten most teams. Again, Cesc clearly helped. But this was a performance based on far more than just him and when we play like that, there really is no better show in town.
Gallas missed an early sitter and RVP should have had a penalty. I felt a little sorry for Nzogbia on the one that was given. A spot-kick for handball is just about the cheapest chance of a goal you ever get in football and I wouldn’t object were some punished with just a free-kick in the box.
But RVP swept it into the inside of the side-netting and we deserved our lead.
Then, heavens above, we consolidated it. And even more astonishingly it was Comrade Eboue (fresh from losing possession for the clear Owen chance) who was at the heart of it.
He collected the ball, shifted it out of his feet, sped forward, laid a good ball out wide to Adebayor and continued into the box (seriously). Then when it came in, he looked up, saw RVP behind him and backheeled it perfectly for a right-footed finish from the Dutchman. Great goal.
Newcastle rallied after the break, Butt hitting the top of the bar with one of those never going in headers and Almunia holding another shot.
But you always sensed we were looking to spring Newcastle and spring em we did. Nasri sprinted towards the box and if we’re honest, Adebayor was guilty of screaming at him for a ball that was simply never on.
The move broke down, but we recovered and eventually Denilson slid home smartly for his first Premiership goal. Another midfielder in the penalty area. Most strange.
We were 3-0 up and coasting with half an hour to go. We hadn’t enjoyed that luxury for ages.
The upshot was that we could enjoy ourselves. RVP slammed an absurd shot off the bar, then got his customary kick. Fingers crossed.
It meant Carlos Vela got a debut and to be honest my initial thought was that in the Carlos Vela News web site newsroom, there would be fucking bedlam. Sure enough, after dutifully documenting every spit and cough (literally sometimes) of the young Mexican’s life, they have suitably gone to town on his Arsenal debut.
He was class by the way. Very ballsy and as if he’d told himself to expect a kicking and so challenge extra hard for everything. He’s direct as well.
We could have added more and we should have added more. But the fact we didn’t mattered little and that really is the great thing about keeping it tight, getting a lead and then pushing on and putting the game to bed.
Then right at the end we got Joey Barton, who jumped into and fairly won a tackle with Nasri while “inadvertently” crashing into our number 8’s ribs. After a snide, snarling grin from Barton our man dumped him to the ground with a gentle ankle tap.
Kevin Keegan reacted by saying Nasri should have been sent-off (factually wrong), by lambasting Nasri as he left the pitch and by then spouting off in the interviews.
I’ve usually plenty of time for Keegan, but on this Mr Keegan, you are being a grade A idiot.
His reaction was that of a man who had just witnessed someone inflict this or alternatively had just battered a 16 year-old.
Barton is a pariah, an outcast who deserves no sympathy. Whereas punishment for anyone else in a similar situation to his would have entailed the loss of one’s job, Newcastle’s bollockless in refusing to sack this scum is matched only by the other clubs who were ready to snap him up immediately and pay him top dollar.
I know he has an alcohol problem, but that snide, snarling (and presumably sober) grin told you everything you needed to know. Humbled by his time in jail? Matured by it? Wanting to blend quietly back in? Not a bit of it.
Which is what makes Keegan’s carping over a little kick that never had any prospect of doing any damage physical or psychological either short or long term really stick in the throat. You kept him, now expect the consequences.
Mark Lawrenson hit the nail on the head when he said Newcastle don’t seem to get what the rest of the country think of Barton.
Little Sammy probably had no idea who he had kicked. But as well as being an excellent footballer, he clearly has good taste too.
And one more thing Keegan. You say:
“I like Nasri - he’s a player we looked at for a possible signing.”
I suspect many Goodplaya readers have also looked at J Lo as a possible girlfriend.
31 August 2008 at 1:24 pm
“Never reacts when he gets kicked, which must be infuriating for the opposition”
Gotta love Sagna. Nasri looks like a quality buy too. Great effort by our team. Hopefully we can keep the momebtum going after the international break.
31 August 2008 at 1:43 pm
Fully agree with what you’ve said about keegan and barton. that little punk’s got a lot coming to him. he’s lost the respect of everyone, fellow pro’s included. how many chances? how many thrown back? nice to see keegan back whining about how everything’s unfair.
what a win!! couldn’t be prouder of nasri, either.
31 August 2008 at 2:16 pm
The look on the thugs Bartons face when he was walking backwards looking at Nasri told everyone watching all they needed to know about him and whether he has learnt any lessons and the answer is no. Arsenal were superb at times and hopefully we can now continue with the progress and shove all the nonsense being written about us down the throats of all the tabloids.
31 August 2008 at 2:22 pm
I’d love to know what Gallas said to Keegan just outside the tunnel.
You could see Keegan shouting, “You watch yourself” to Nasri. Gallas fucking gave it to him after that…
31 August 2008 at 2:29 pm
FACT: Reacting to a challenge is a straight red, FIFA rules. regardless if does any damage or not. And yeah, I believe we should have sacked Barton, but I can also see why we didn’t, it would £7 million thrown away if we had, on that basis he deserves ONE last chance, and that is all he’ll get, we wont be like Man City where they kept taking him back. As for Gallas “Giving it” is this the same William Gallas who cried and in the penalty area at the birmingham match when he conceded a penalty and went in a huff? Big Man Like…Wouldn’t wanna cross him in the dark, if he had a gun…and I was 5
31 August 2008 at 2:38 pm
Newcastle could have conceivably sued Barton for breach of contract. Simple.
As for Gallas, he didn’t give away that penalty. It was Clichy. And he sat on the halfway line. So there.
Do your research…
31 August 2008 at 2:44 pm
After watching Newcastle really give Man United a game on matchday 1, I thought we’d have a fight on our hands against these resurgent barcodes. In fact, they were awful.
Arsenal’s test of mettle will come after international breaks when we invariably play poorly and usually drop points. Blackburn away looks like an accident waiting to happen.
A good report ending with “I suspect many Goodplaya readers have also looked at J Lo as a possible girlfriend.” Is the MylesPalmerisation of Goodplaya?
31 August 2008 at 2:50 pm
@ Andy
“FACT: Reacting to a challenge is a straight red, FIFA rules. regardless if does any damage or not.”
Nasri did not retaliate at the time. He was annoyed by Barton’s excessive aggression and the smirk, so he took the opportunity, when it came, to trip Barton up. It was a professional foul and the yellow card was the correct punishment.
IMO, it was Barton’s tackle that should have resulted in dismissal; it was reckless because both feet were off the ground and he was not in control of the tackle. Regardless of whether he got the ball or not.
31 August 2008 at 4:22 pm
why visit opposing teams message boards? i couldn’t give two-shits what the ManUres, barcodes, chavs or even the cocks think. shouldn’t you be bigging-up your team to people who care?
31 August 2008 at 4:43 pm
I suspect many Goodplaya readers have also looked at J Lo as a possible girlfriend.
CLASS.
And one more thing Keegan. You say:
“I like Nasri - he’s a player we looked at for a possible signing.”
DELUSIONAL WHINY TWAT.
31 August 2008 at 5:18 pm
@Andy:
“FACT: Reacting to a challenge is a straight red, FIFA rules. regardless if does any damage or not.”
Fact? Where did you get that from? Your butt? Because it’s certainly not from the Laws of the Game? You’re welcome to prove me wrong with a quote from the Laws of the Game.
Additionally, while Barton may have won the ball in his challenge against Nasri, the challenge itself was reckless and should have earned him a caution. Nasri didn’t react because his feelings were hurt. He reacted because the thug sincerely tried to injure him and was having a good chuckle about it.
31 August 2008 at 5:36 pm
I suspect many Goodplaya readers have also looked at J Lo as a possible girlfriend.
Possibly the funniest line I’ve read on an Arsenal blog this year. You had me laughing out loud.
31 August 2008 at 5:50 pm
God Bless Van Persie please!!!
Everytime he fells on the floor, i got worried, this guy is just superb when he is fit, i genuinely believe Arsenal can win either the CL or the EPL this season and it will all depend on the fitness of Van Persie the magician!
Eboue did great, i’m smelling something great coming from him this season.
31 August 2008 at 6:41 pm
Keegan really is fast becoming a joke. At the end of last season he was whining about how it wasn’t fair that he had to compete with the top four as he didn’t have their money. We haven’t spent any money net for 2 years yet we’re on a different footballing planet. This is largely because our manager is not a talentless delusional fool stuck in the 1990’s when for one season he challenged for the tile. There’s no crime in not being good enough. Just in continually promoting that yo are or would be given some non-existent set of circumstances.
31 August 2008 at 7:39 pm
If Nasri had stepped into the ball, Barton could have broken his leg. I think if the game was closer, Nasri may have committed more to going for the ball (he probably saw the tackle coming from Barton) and ended up paying the penalty. Barton’s smile says it all.
Van Persie was excellent. Looks like he is beginning to figure out out to fit into the Bergkamp role - several times yesterday, he was picked out alone in the hole between midfield and forward. Excellent positioning on his part. Fingers crossed on the foot - and what a shot.
Overall, with 3 league games played, we’ve got to be happy. Considering the list of injuries, we will be only one point behind the leaders. No complaints there. In 5 total games played, 4 wins, 1 loss, 10 goals for, and only 1 against.
31 August 2008 at 7:41 pm
and eboue played really well - one bad cross and the misplaced chance for the owen chance apart.
31 August 2008 at 7:44 pm
@Matt:
I’m a referee you dumb cockney fuck.
31 August 2008 at 7:46 pm
Not only that, but it was an off the ball challenge, and if anyone here has to the argue that’s not a straight red, then you really are as dumb as my spurs mate says.
31 August 2008 at 8:46 pm
@Andy: You are definitely no referee. No referee refers to the Laws of the Game as “FIFA rules”. And there’s no such statement about “a straight red for reacting to a challenge” in the LOTG. Which is why I asked you to quote the Laws to prove me wrong. You haven’t because you can’t.
Guess what? I really am a referee, in real life. Have been for a decade. That’s why I laughed when I read your idiotic post. Don’t spew nonsense on a forum where you might be asked to back it up. Back to your playpen, poser.
31 August 2008 at 10:25 pm
I hope the FA disciplinary chiefs make an example of barton and ban him from playing. If not forever then for a _lengthy_ period of time. This bloke shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a football pitch.
From what we’ve seen in saturdays game the time spent behind bars hasn’t done anything to alter bartons behavior. How many training ground bust-ups or assaults on minors to come? I’m hoping he’ll be injured or serving a ban when we play the return fixture at St. James’s.
1 September 2008 at 7:47 am
We were the Harlem Globetrotters of the Premier League last Saturday. I loved it.
1 September 2008 at 10:35 am
@Matt It was an off the ball challenge, if you honestly believe that wasn’t a red ur a worse ref than Graham Poll! I take it you know every referee in the world since you’re telling me what i can and can’t say? and Wenger has already come out and said that Nasri was in the wrong, guess what? you’re a dumb cockney fuck! Don’t bother replying, i wont be coming back on here, This is a shite website anyway.
1 September 2008 at 12:18 pm
You can never win an argument on the web against someone who is highly opinionated and completely incapable of a civil discourse whether on matters of fact or opinion (which goes without saying).
1 September 2008 at 12:20 pm
Let’s see whether he keeps his word and still come back inspite of saying he won’t.
1 September 2008 at 12:48 pm
Retaliation has nothing to do with it. It’s simple, if you hit someone in the face you get a red, if you tackle them in a way that could well injure you get a red, if you push them in the chest you get a yellow and if you trip them up you also get a yellow.
1 September 2008 at 2:17 pm
@Andy,
“It was an off the ball challenge…”
Does this mean I shouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that quote from the LOTG anymore?
Okay, I’ll continue educating you.
Nothing in the Laws of the Game states that a foul is punished more severely if it’s “off the ball”. That phrase doesn’t even exist in the LOTG. If it’s violent conduct or serious foul play, then it’s a sending-off. This was neither. Nasri clipped Barton’s foot from behind during Newcastle’s build-up. The only way that would have resulted in a red card for Nasri is if it was denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (which has a very specific definition). It wasn’t. It qualifies as unsporting behavior. Therefore, Nasri earned a caution.
“…if you honestly believe that wasn’t a red ur a worse ref than Graham Poll!”
When you or I get selected to referee at the World Cup, maybe we can begin to think we’re better than Graham Poll. Until then, we’re not worthy to carry his boots.
“I take it you know every referee in the world since you’re telling me what i can and can’t say?”
Say what you will, as long as it’s honest and correct. Don’t lie about the Laws of the Game because those statements are verifiable. Don’t lie about being a referee and then start spewing rubbish, because you’ll be quickly discovered.
” and Wenger has already come out and said that Nasri was in the wrong”
But Wenger never said he deserved a red.
“Don’t bother replying, i wont be coming back on here…”
What are you? Twelve? And of course you’ll be back.
1 September 2008 at 2:29 pm
There’s a good picture of Barton’s thug challenge on Nasri at dailymail. Nasri did well to get out of the way. A challenge like that has only one purpose in mind.
I can’t understand how anyone, Newcastle supporter or otherwise, would try to paint Nasri as the bad guy after a challenge like that from a person with his history.
1 September 2008 at 4:09 pm
WENGER ON NASRI (GOODPLAYA QUOTE)
“I think he had a complete performance, he had a great touch on the ball, good vision and good team discipline.
We like him to have the ball because we know, every time he does, he’ll do something with it. For me it’s a sign of a GOOD PLAYER that, when he gets the ball, you’re happy. You don’t have to worry about the rest.
1 September 2008 at 7:13 pm
It’s gone 7pm and stil no transfers, though I hear Randall and Gibbs have signed new contracts! Hurrah! Shove that up your rich, fat arses Chelsea and Manchesters, now you’re really worried.
I’m trying to tempt fate here but I’m worried that Arsene just hasn’t got the negotiating nous or the back-up to get these transfers through. Say what you like about Dein but he and Arsene made a good combination, and poor old Ken Friar is no replacement. It’s all very well Fiszman saying the money’s there - we need a dealmaker who can nail these transfers and who can challenge Arsene out of his stubborn complacency and get him to buy someone older than 12.
4 September 2008 at 11:53 am
Nice one Matt. Dignified and correct..