Happy Saturday everyone, a very quick summary for you.
Let’s start with the news that the FA have brought charges against Arsenal after the Newcastle game. They say: “It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure their players behaved in an orderly manner in the 95th minute, and the club has until 10 January to respond.”
The 95th minute was when Granit Xhaka’s cross hit the arm of a Newcastle player I dare not look up, and referee Andy Madley did not award a penalty. I spoke my mind about the incident on the post-Newcastle blog, so there’s no need to go over it again, but I can fully understand the attractions of Arsenal players.
The balance here is that passion and desire to win the game with respect for the referees. I don’t think it looks good when a team surrounds a referee, so I can understand where these attacks are coming from. The other side of this is that the game wasn’t refereed particularly well, and I think that’s being very kind. It doesn’t approve of anything, but it explains it in a way, particularly as there is a feeling that refereeing standards are falling all the time, even with the introduction of VAR.
Regardless, we’ll probably take the hit and get a ticket. It’s also the second time we’ve been hit with this charge this season. After the Leeds game, when they received a late penalty which was later annulled by VAR, the same FA charge was applied. In that case, a fine of £20,000 was imposed. Maybe it’s a little more in this game because it’s the second time, but let’s see.
Here’s the thing though, I kinda like this. I like how Arsenal fans are upset because they thought Andy Madley was terrible. I like how we focused on the fact that Kieran Trippier was in the referee’s ear throughout the game and, to be fair, that’s a smart way to do things. Make no mistake though, if that handball incident had happened at the other end and Newcastle were denied the penalty, it would be the club that would charge this morning.
I’m all for things that create a kind of us-them mentality, because it can have an impact when it comes to atmosphere. I want 60,000 Gooners bellowing for every foul we get when we play big games. I like how Mikel Arteta’s passion on the sidelines is now being singled out by idiotic dinosaurs, disgraced bearded-handed TV hosts turned media snitch and pundits alike. The same people who never said anything when Mourinho, Klopp or Guardiola lost their minds have a bee in their hoods regarding our coach. And, in my opinion, this is something Arsenal fans should rally around. If you side with those people in this, you’re on the wrong side.
On yesterday’s Arsecast, Clive made a really interesting comment on Arteta’s post-game comments about the penalties he felt we should have received. His use of the word “outrageous” in every interview, from Sky to the BBC to his post-game press conference, was quite deliberate. A North London derby is coming up. There has been a long history of sanctions being imposed, some of which were absurd decisions. The one at White Hart Lane last season was a real disgrace. I think Arteta fully believed that the incidents against Newcastle should have been penalties, but his comments were also tactical.
So if people are upset about the FA charges, great. It all adds to the sense of unity you need as a football club trying to win a title. We will pay the fine, surely Arteta will take advantage of it as a learning moment for his players. Finding the balance between passion and putting pressure on the referees at key moments, but also as a way of fostering the spirit and positive mentality within the group which is already evident.
Finally, on the broader point about our disciplinary history and some concerns about it under Mikel Arteta since he took office, we’ve definitely improved in that regard. I don’t think we’re less committed or determined or anything like that. It depends on our control of the games. There is less despair because we are well organized, we know what we have to do, even in games where our possession is as low as 32%, and I think that’s an improvement we needed to make. We had too many dumb red cards that cost us too many points. It’s good to see it.*
Right, that’s your lot for now. Have a good Saturday.
*We also got rid of some red card magnets, I think it’s important to point that out as well.
