I didn’t think the Walcott penalty was a penalty at the time and I had no doubt whatsoever the Lewandowski decision was correct.
The yellow v red debate is being caused by the uncertainty created by the referee at the time, his haste perhaps or inexperience perhaps in rushing to the lesser card to then be advised and upgraded by his assistant (which was the correct thing to do, that is why they are there).
Had he just given the red from the off we would have accepted it, moaned of course but briefly and then moved on.
The resultant capitulation and failure in any way to get a hold on the game was a footballing disgrace and embarrassment for our great club. I note Sir C talking in a separate missive about the exuberant celebrations of the Hun as each goal went in, fair fúcks to them and I would expect our players to do the same in a game of such huge importance. They were enjoying themselves. Wd their players.
Wenger has come out and complained a little too much and in the process made himself look an utter ****, my opinion only, and a standpoint which of course most managers would have taken.
My mind goes back to that moment early in the second half when our bearded French world class striker, our main aerial threat, had a free header from about 5-6 yards and failed to convert. In that moment the match went, not the penalty as Bayern appeared to spark into life from their very understandable and comfortable first half slumber.
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."
When I said "Lewandowski decision" I simply mean the penalty as I have seen accusations of diving.
A player can be fouled in the box, and therefore a penalty awarded, however the player is not in a direct goal scoring position and may merely be about to assist, or god help us even pre-assist, a team mate.
Koscielny fouled Lewandowski, soft yes perhaps but the ferocity of the push is irrelevant, he made no effort to play the ball and impeded the Pole who was past him and about to strike on goal. He was thus fouled and denied a goal scoring opportunity. Of this I see no debate at all.
I must admit I have no idea if he was offside or not as at no point during BT review of events did I see or hear this alluded to, merely the award of the pen and card.
First I heard any reference to this was AW crying like a little bitch instead of accepting defeat and perhaps expressing regret and even anger at how his team capitulated and failed to react in a proper way to the events on the pitch.
Can I come back to you tomorrow having watched the recorded highlights again later?