No one seems to have mentioned the main issue with Arteta's sending off,

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

which was that the impact was initiated when Chamakh forearm smashed him whilst no where near the ball. :shrug:

[Snin]

was trying to change direction but cham swerved into him and smashed him with his arm...stooopid imo

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

[Peter]

The clearest issue with it is that the referee has decided it was an 'obvious goalscoring opportunity' for chamakh. I cant see how a reasonable, well adjusted adult could reach that conclusion. There is so much doubt there that it doesnt make any sense to ignore it.

Piss-poor decision.

[Maravilloso Marvo]

back? On the halfway line near the dugouts and its considered a clear goalscoring oppotunity...

[CrossGun]

[Mack]

'It was a very harsh decision to send me off,” Arteta told Arsenal Player. “Chamakh kicks my fight foot, I have seen it on television. It is 40 yards away from goal too.
*“It is true that I tried to block him with my hand but then he came with his left foot into my right calf and then we were both on the floor. It was never a tackle from me.

[Peter]

I the opportunuity has to be 'obvious' then surely the ref has to be convinced. How can he possibly have been convinced on this one? There is so much doubt there, so many possibilities.

[PSRB]

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Somehow I don't think we will against this one.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1328136/Wo lves-v-ARSENAL-Laurent-Koscielny-red-card-appeal-fails.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1328136/Wolves-v-ARSENAL-Laurent-Koscielny-red-card-appeal-fails.html)

[Peter]

I have seen other silly ones.

[Mack]

2002 would have also been well before the 'obvious (?) goal scoring opportunity ' rule as well.

[PSRB]

[Peter]

Which might explain why thst stupid little prick owen was so convinced it was a red card on sturday.

And the really, really awful decisions stand the test of time.

[Mack]

[Mack]

[Red N White Army]

[Peter]

'Clear' rather than obvious. Either way tht decision, and this one, are wildly out of step with how refs usually interpret the rule.

[PSRB]

[Billy Goat Sverige]

Would be the tiring ones.

[Mack]

:wave:

[Mack]

[Luis Anaconda]

but I did say at half-time there was no way they could keep the level of commitment up for 90 minutes. If it had been 11 v 11 we would have scored 4 FACT

[Luis Anaconda]

even during the Real Barca game. Which was ****.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Gareth Bale :hehe:

[PSRB]

just don't think he has the mental fortitude to survive at a club like Madrid. Hey ho though, meant we got Ozil :-)

[Luis Anaconda]

Some goal from Sanchez though. I was just very disappointed by the lack of violence

[Luis Anaconda]

[PSRB]

I'd happily lose tomorrow for 4 points from Liverpool and United games