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Arsenal have had their European dream unbelievably stolen by a referee. What I witnessed tonight was an absolute disgrace, Arsenal worked their backsides off to score two goals at Anfield, only ...

UEFA Champions League: Arsenal Mugged

by Andrew McNair (Senior Writer)

89

3,329 reads

Game Recap

April 08, 2008


Arsenal have had their European dream unbelievably stolen by a referee.

What I witnessed tonight was an absolute disgrace, Arsenal worked their backsides off to score two goals at Anfield, only for an over zealous referee to award a penalty to Liverpool in extraordinary circumstances.

The game started well for Arsenal as they took an early lead, with Abou Diaby shocking the Anfield faithful. Their lead didn't last too long with Sami Hyppia scoring a bullet back post header to send the teams in level at the break.

The game then looked to have been settled by a moment of brilliance from Fernando Torres as he turned Senderos in front of the Kop, to rifle the ball into the top corner for Liverpool.

The reds then set out their stall to hold onto their lead and appeared to be doing it quite comfortably.

However, they hadn't bet on Theo Walcott.

With 10 minutes left, the Arsenal substitute picked up the loose ball outside his own box and proceeded to run the length of the park, leaving every Liverpool player in his wake. The talented youngster then squared the ball for Emmanuel Adebayor to slot home the equalizer!

Arsenal were going through!

What happened next makes a mockery out of football. Ryan Babel dashed inside Kolo Toure, who made a motion towards the young Dutchman.

The contact was clearly outside the box. On further inspection it was probably not even a free kick! 

The referee however, pointed straight to the spot!

I feel sick as a neutral fan, Arsenal were mugged!

There was less contact than Dirk Kuyt on Alexander Hleb in last weeks first leg at the Emirates!

Steven Gerrard stepped up and fired Liverpool into the semi finals.

Arsenal threw everything forward after that and were caught again on the break as Ryan Babel rounded off the scoring.

Liverpool advance 5-3 on aggregate and Arsene Wenger will be in one foul mood for a long time to come!

It looked like Arsenal had pulled it off at Anfield, but the history books will tell you, it was Liverpool's night and their night it is!

 

 

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89 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

    Incredible Amazing Super-Duper Game!!! No words to describe it. One thing stood out for me as a neutral which i will appreciate and remember for a long while! Theo Walcott's dazzling run from his own box into Liverpool's box and set up Adebayor. He left Mascherano(i think) and Aurelio on their backside.. Went past Hyypia as if he wasn't there! Thought he would shoot, but oh no, the youngster had the awareness to pick out Adebayor.
    On your point - I agree with you 100%, it was never a penalty. Not any more a foul than Hleb's appeal back at the Emarates.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Yes Salomon we witnessed the coming of age of Theo Walcott tonight. The run and even the pass to pick out Adebayor was perfect.

      Yes a great game but for me spoiled by a desperate injustice.

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    • Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

      I was calling for his introduction at half time. Helb was somewhat ineffective, so was fabregas!! But hey, before the penalty, there was that HUGE chance for adebayor to score before he eventually did. At that point in the game, it might have changed the game a wee bit. Arsenal eventually equalised when their momentum had gone and Liverpool were having a lot of possesion!!

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the pick. I've calmed down now but still gutted for the Gunners

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  2. Jared Reback about 1 year ago

    It might not have been a penalty, but it wasn't that egregious a call.

    I have seen more contact not called and less contact called.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      You mean like Kuyt on Hleb in the first leg?

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    • John Houmes about 1 year ago

      yeah, but there was a little more give and take in that first match from the ref. I think the ref in the first leg was more willing to let them play. And he also had a make up call a little later for Arsenal.

      But this match, the ref made good calls within the match. Compared to the last match, the refs called differently, but I don't think within their individual matches they showed favorites.

      Plus, if Kuyt had been called in the first match, and Arsenal made a penalty, its still 5-4 Liverpool.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      John, we all know Babel wouldn't have scored under any other circumstances, so saying 5-4 like that is not right.

      But hey you are through, so you have nothing to justify.

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  3. Chris Kirk about 1 year ago

    A tie which will be remembered as a tale of two penalties. I too thought the decision was harsh, maybe the referee got caught up in the emotion and excitement of the second half in particular.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Oh he definately got caught up in the emotion. So did I but my first reaction was still no penalty and I was watching on tv 10000 miles away. Thanks for the comment mate.

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  4. S B about 1 year ago

    I totally agree with you on this one Andy.

    I also think the handling of the Chelsea game was a bit suspect as well not that Chelsea needed the help but decisions all seemed to go their way.

    Seems to be a desire to see Liverpool and Chelsea proceed.
    Now.... what do these two teams have in common.....hmmm

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Thanks Darlon I just feel like someone has pulled the wool over my eyes haha

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    • Matt Binks about 1 year ago

      Darlon.

      Liverpool and Chelsea have the following in common

      1. Ability to show heart and fight in latter stages of the season, Arsenal had gone by February.
      2. A captain who stands up and fights and doesnt sit down and cry.
      3. A champions league semi final to look forward too. See you next April. Maybe.

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  5. S B about 1 year ago

    As usual the fans are gobbling it up.

    Think I will switch to a WWF site now and see what the odds on Thunderman are for beating The Masked Scullbraker.

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  6. Mark Shields about 1 year ago

    Perhaps the penalty showed the difference between two English teams playing each other in the Premier League, and them playing each other in European competition. I don't think a domestic ref would have given that penalty. I do agree though Andrew, if that was a penalty, then so was Kuyt's challenge on Hleb at the Emirates. I think the point is that Arsenal, over the two legs, had enough chances to put the tie to bed, and they couldn't take them. Had this game been played two months ago I don't think Liverpool would have stood a chance.

    As for Theo, he did well last week, but tonight he announced himself. I hope the Premier League will see a lot more of him in the next few weeks now that the title is out of reach, and I look forward to seeing him develop more next season.

    And another Liverpool-Chelsea semi-final - is it just me who is sick of seeing these two teams send us to sleep game after goal-less game? I think Uefa should refuse to stage it, or at least play it behind closed doors to save us all the agony!

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Thanks for commenting Mark. Yes Arsenal had enough chances and technically they had done enough as 2-2 was enough.

      Was great to see Theo running like Giggs in the FA Cup. Brilliant.

      As for Liverpool and Chelsea well I suppose I'll just have watch it. England shall again be represented in the UEFA Champions League Final.

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    • Vincent Chow about 1 year ago

      just seeing the name liverpool vs chelsea is already making me fall asleep..4th year in a roll when the last 6 contests have all ended in..zzz...zz..z.

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    • S B about 1 year ago

      I agree with Mark that if Arsenal did not put the match away and I`ll add Fenerbahce played with their tails between their legs then they both got what they deserved. Rivaldo once said that if the Ref. is against you then the only thing to do is ....score goals.

      As for the classic Clelsea-Liverpool commented on by both Vincent and Mark......touche....The ZZZZ`s have it.

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  7. Dan Wade about 1 year ago

    Andrew, do you think Theo's strong showings in his last few outings will earn him any more time with England? I've been unable to watch these last few games, but from your accounts he has looked quite good.

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  8. Vincent Chow about 1 year ago

    Yes, i am so happy for Theo, the lad was fantastic, but i also feel so sorry that he was on the losing side tonight. About the penalty, yes, i feel that it wasn't a pen either, but you have to admit that toure gave the referee too much a chance to even think about pointing to the spot, and the midfield was not concentrating after the goal which allowed Babel to walk into our box even..PLUS the fact that the Kop was screaming scouse language to the ref didn't help either...

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  9. agooner from goonerTV about 1 year ago

    Sigh. And as an Arsenal fan, I can understand it if it takes you a while to write about the second half. ;-)

    I've been searching for the best words to sum up the collective experience from what happened. I think the best words I have found come from Arsene himself...

    "No, what is happening at the moment is that for several weeks the team is shocked because they feel that everything goes against them at the moment. We lack that little bit of extra confidence because week after week we get disappointment after disappointment."

    Yep. As a fan, its hard to accept it when you feel downright cheated by the one factor in the game that, supposedly, no one can control. Its hard to accept that for the second game in a row, the officials can DECIDE the game's future out of your team's control. Every fan faces this, the feeling of disappointment when an official makes the wrong call, and the outcome of the game is changed away from where it was heading.

    And as a fan who watched the game side by side with Liverpool supporters; whose faces shot back at me looks of both embarrassment and rueful glee, that is what I feel. Disappointment. Not just for me, or for the team, but for the players. The young players that Arsene thrust in to the spotlight this year, who coached and tried to convince that if they did the right thing, fortune would favor.

    But twas not to be. I'm not really sure why, but when you watch your side dominate the destiny of the game; do what they must do to win, and succeed at that, only to be thwarted, you are left with that feeling of anger at not so much what was taken, but at the fact that for the present time, the opportunity to make more of the chances you have have to wait until next season.

    So much will be made of the penalty awarded to Babel, of our lack of concentration at that moment as well; of the countless opportunities we had, not just in that game, but in many games like that one (where everyone agrees, we were the better side, but we didn't make the most of the opportunities we made). We lacked that final something. I'm gonna call it, "coup d’état". That final, sudden 'strike to the state' (of the game) where we literally blow the team off the pitch. ManU do it. Liverpool do it. Assassins on both teams having been acquired for that exact purpose over the previous summer.

    Funny how our Gunners, full of young powder kegs, fire crackers, young charges, don't have enough of that 'ruthless' hitman in the ranks to help 'finish' a game; early or late. Henry was such a player, but last year, it was all his firepower in our muskets. This year it was "death by a thousand cuts" but as I have said before, we still need that broad sword to end the affair. The musketeers need a hand from artillery pieces. Those are usually larger weapons, more expensive, perhaps one would say volatile in the wrong hands. Think Huntelaar; Drogba; Trezeguet; and Torres, ably deputized by a second; your Messi, your Totti, your Tevez, your Bergkamp.

    We have youth, now we have youth with experience, and now likely, the kind of youth that has that bitter taste in their mouth that comes with being cheated out of winning. That team deserves to be supported by the kind of player money buys you in the modern game. The kind that comes in to a game and seals the fate for you. As a striker, as a midfielder, as a defender. Helps your team rest, recoup, some would say inspires the young charges with tales of exploits from campaigns and success found elsewhere.

    As fans of the 3rd most richest club in the world, I'm turning my voice of outcry and rage at the outcome of this game, and ones like it, to cheers and chants for the warchest to get two big French hands in there and produce a result equal or greater to what the scouting and coaching has brought forth so far. Spend the money Arsene. If there is quality there, buy the !@#$% squad the experience, quality and concentration it needs to take the result the game seems to offer as a result of the mastery that is our gameplay.

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  10. Chief Ton about 1 year ago

    arsenal worked their ass off to score two goals?
    buddy! arsenal dominated the game for the first 20 mins and thats it! yes the goals were lovely orchestrated!
    If anything liverpool deserved to win and they even had more possession after equalizing with arsenal.

    and the penalty? how many times in football do you see it get callled? many many times! im an arsenal supporter and ok we are unfortunate that it happened. it was similar as hlebb's occasion when he went down in the 1st leg arsenal should of got the penalty rewarded but it didnt get called and thats how it goes in football! simple as that!

    arsenal wasnt mugged, they simply lost to a quality team! the only time arsenal were workin their asses was in the first 20 mins and when they tried to equalize after gerrard scored the penalty!
    i was impressed the way arsenal played in the first 20-25 mins after that i was disgraced! we lost and now we have the premiership to chase!

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  11. Matt Binks about 1 year ago

    I would have liked to comment back with an artice of my own Andy but computer troubles mean my writing days are over! A bit harsh to say Arsenal were mugged. The penalty last night was a penalty, the Emirates one was also a penalty,that doesnt mean Arsenal were mugged though. Liverpool showed incredible heart and spirit to come back from being played off Anfield for the first 20 minutes and definately stifled Arsenal over the two legs, i think it took two bits of magic to break us down last night. To say that Arsenal were cheated takes away some of Liverpools own play which at times was fantastic. I just think this was a close even tie that went the way of Liverpool. A fantastic advertisement for football in general that shouldnt be tainted. For Wenger to say that everything goes against Arsenal is perhaps an excuse. 2 wins from 12 i think it is now. Have all ten games they have not won been down to poor refereeing?

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      No they haven't, but Arsenal showed just as much courage to come back at 2-2. I just watched it again and there was no contact in the box? How can it be a penalty?

      I'm no Arsenal fan but I honestly feel they got mugged last night. Had Arsenal been given the penalty in the first leg it would be Liverpool out.

      I'm not arguing against a great game of football as it was very much that but the referee decided this game, not Liverpool.

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  12. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    For me the turning point for Arsenal was Flamini's ijury! The boy has been an unsung hero over the last few months at the heart of arsenal's midfield and his injury created an huge advantage for Liverpool.

    That being said, I have to admit that I am will need some weeks to recover from the tripple shock of losing the FA cup; champs league and now possibly the league! Its a bitter pill to swallow!

    The coach has the right vision and tacktical awareness to lead these young players but I am convinced that time has come for Wengre to compete in the market for additional players...Anelka again???

    Sandile

    South Africa

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  13. Mark Syrett about 1 year ago

    Why have this discussion. The final against Barcelona the ref was against us, last year against PSV the ref gave them dodgy free kick one after the other. And now this. the only reason Milan got beat is because we didn't let them have the ball. Rich owners buy more than players. enuf said.

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    • Matt Binks about 1 year ago

      rich owners buy more players?? if u was portsmouth or Wigan and having this argument i could maybe understand this argument. But do you think you got Walcot from a stork? theres 12mil, adebayor, van persie, eduardo, hleb, rosicky, eboue??? These players arent cheap. Wenger has the cash he just doesnt use it. It excuse after excsuse with Arsenal. You have money you have the pulling power the only thing you dont have is a trophy in 4 years. They need to start looking at themselves. This season they had the talent to win trophies but the size of their squad and overplaying certain players has cost them.

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    • Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

      Actually Matt, Those players you mentioned are big time players for Arsenal. And all of them bar Walcott cost less than what other Big teams paid for their Big players. Eg, Rooney, Drogba and Torress. Case Closed.

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    • Mark Syrett about 1 year ago

      Lol. Well spurs, newcastle, city, villa, pompy, even Sunderland spent more than us. Nani, Torres, or Malouda alone cost more than our whole summer budget. Vieira left to pay for some, so did Reyes, Cole, and yes even Henry. we sell to buy. The fact we are in the top four is a great achievement.

      Where do rival fans get the idea that Arsenal are loaded from? Makes no sense.

      Walcott cost 5, maybe rising to 12.
      hleb - 8million
      eboue was free
      van persie cost 3 million
      rosicky cost 8
      eduardo cost around 10.
      Adaybayor cost 5 million.

      So 5+8+3+8+10+5 = 39 million. Nani and anderson cost that, plus they bought hargreaves and tevez. So please stop being jealous of the fact we have the best manager in the transfer market.

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    • Matt Binks about 1 year ago

      haha shame that football isnt played in the transfer market then mark aint it! I'll think about how well Wenger has bought whilst im watching the semi.

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  14. Padraigh Rooney about 1 year ago

    Liverpool scored 4, not 3. Arguing that Arsenal would have won without that penalty kick ignores the goal scored by Babel. Ignoring the last score suggests sour grapes. If this were hockey instead of football, one might argue that the final goal was meaningless, but in football, the final goal changes the aggregate.

    Blaming the ref also ignores what a brilliant match it was. Liverpool pressed the action in the second half, but Arsenal was in it throughout. Adebayor had that great chance in first half, not to mention his tying goal in the second, one of the most thrilling scores I've seen.

    Liverpool played well and deserved to win. Suggesting that the ref's call—a call we've seen made many times when the contact was a phantasm—ignores how much heart the Reds showed.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Now come on, everyone in the world knows babel wouldnt have scored if Arsenal had defenders back. So why that means sour grapes I don't know?

      Blaming the ref doesn't ignore what a brilliant match it was and I've stated that numerous times along with the fact I don't support Arsenal.

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    • Mark Syrett about 1 year ago

      So your telling me at 2-2 Arsenal would have left just Fabregas back to defend. Babel therefore would still have just had to beat one man in the final 30 seconds. Do you not understand the game of football, what is Hockey, it's a strange sport in the Olympics, or do you mean Ice hockey, or Ice wrestling whatever you prefer.

      I agree it was a penalty, but then why was it not one at the Emirates? When the exact thing happened.

      Either way what has happened is in the past, and as the current crop of Arsenal players are out, I am hoping that a Highbury God will have that medal he always deserved.

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  15. Simon Williams about 1 year ago

    Ok lets get some perspective here.

    The Kuyt incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Kuyt was quick and briefly touched Hleb's arm, little contact, not enough to make Hleb fall to the ground, but given the ref's view, you would probably get a penalty 7/10 times -Arsenal Unlucky.

    The Babel incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Toure was flailing about all over the place, there was little contact on Babel, but at his speed any contact was going to knock him off balance. Given the ref's view, 7/10 times it would be a penalty - Arsenal unlucky, given the Kuyt incident, but not really on this incident as its usually a pen.

    Now to other key incidents in the ties that are nothing to do with referees-

    Firstly, Bendtner saves Liverpool by getting in the way of Fabregas' goal bound shot in Leg 1 - Arsenal not unlucky, that was their own fault, they would have led going to Anfield if it wasn't for this as well, every bit as vital as the penalty claim, and nothing to do with the referee.

    Secondly, Philip Senderos gets completely done by Hyypia at a corner. Hyypia did nothing spectacular, but Senderos' defending was amateurish by turning his back on the ball and the man - Arsenal's own fault, costing them momentum when they were totally in control - nothing to do with the referee.

    Thirdly, Adebayor misses a sitter which would have left 20 mins still to play with the scores at 2-2, instead of just 5 as it turned out. Who knows how the tie would have changed had he scored - Arsenal's own fault- nothing to do with the referee.

    Rafa Benitez always talks about the 'small details' before these huge games, and there are just a few examples of small details, another was Flamini going off injured, these things went in Liverpool's favour, and turned the tie, on another day, in another year, they would have gone in Arsenals favour. Thats football! Stop whining!

    I doubt Arsenal fans were bemoaning their luck just a week and half ago, when in the last minute at Bolton, Fabregas hits a shot, that hits one Bolton player, then hit another one, and goes in. That was a small detail that went in their favour and meant they were 2 points better off in the title race. That was luck, the CL was bad luck, get over it and stop whining!

    A further factor is Arsenal's continual failure to turn dominance into shots on target. In the first half hour last night, Arsenal were in complete control, Liverpool were abject and all over the place, but Reina had just 2 saves to make, and both in the move that led to the first goal.

    In the first game, Arsenal had 5 shots on target, Liverpool had 4. In the second tie, both teams had 4 shots on target (pen not included). Arsenal fans, and neutrals who dislike Liverpool, can talk about how Arsenal were the better team until the cows come home. But the stats don't lie, Football is about scoring goals, and Liverpool scored 2 more than Arsenal and had the same amount of shots on target. It was a very even tie (4 matches this season, 3 1-1 draws shows how evenly matched the teams are), and small details made the difference, both refeereeing details and player details.

    Thats football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  1. Simon Williams about 1 year ago

    Ok lets get some perspective here.

    The Kuyt incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Kuyt was quick and briefly touched Hleb's arm, little contact, not enough to make Hleb fall to the ground, but given the ref's view, you would probably get a penalty 7/10 times -Arsenal Unlucky.

    The Babel incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Toure was flailing about all over the place, there was little contact on Babel, but at his speed any contact was going to knock him off balance. Given the ref's view, 7/10 times it would be a penalty - Arsenal unlucky, given the Kuyt incident, but not really on this incident as its usually a pen.

    Now to other key incidents in the ties that are nothing to do with referees-

    Firstly, Bendtner saves Liverpool by getting in the way of Fabregas' goal bound shot in Leg 1 - Arsenal not unlucky, that was their own fault, they would have led going to Anfield if it wasn't for this as well, every bit as vital as the penalty claim, and nothing to do with the referee.

    Secondly, Philip Senderos gets completely done by Hyypia at a corner. Hyypia did nothing spectacular, but Senderos' defending was amateurish by turning his back on the ball and the man - Arsenal's own fault, costing them momentum when they were totally in control - nothing to do with the referee.

    Thirdly, Adebayor misses a sitter which would have left 20 mins still to play with the scores at 2-2, instead of just 5 as it turned out. Who knows how the tie would have changed had he scored - Arsenal's own fault- nothing to do with the referee.

    Rafa Benitez always talks about the 'small details' before these huge games, and there are just a few examples of small details, another was Flamini going off injured, these things went in Liverpool's favour, and turned the tie, on another day, in another year, they would have gone in Arsenals favour. Thats football! Stop whining!

    I doubt Arsenal fans were bemoaning their luck just a week and half ago, when in the last minute at Bolton, Fabregas hits a shot, that hits one Bolton player, then hit another one, and goes in. That was a small detail that went in their favour and meant they were 2 points better off in the title race. That was luck, the CL was bad luck, get over it and stop whining!

    A further factor is Arsenal's continual failure to turn dominance into shots on target. In the first half hour last night, Arsenal were in complete control, Liverpool were abject and all over the place, but Reina had just 2 saves to make, and both in the move that led to the first goal.

    In the first game, Arsenal had 5 shots on target, Liverpool had 4. In the second tie, both teams had 4 shots on target (pen not included). Arsenal fans, and neutrals who dislike Liverpool, can talk about how Arsenal were the better team until the cows come home. But the stats don't lie, Football is about scoring goals, and Liverpool scored 2 more than Arsenal and had the same amount of shots on target. It was a very even tie (4 matches this season, 3 1-1 draws shows how evenly matched the teams are), and small details made the difference, both refeereeing details and player details.

    Thats football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Simon Williams about 1 year ago

    Ok lets get some perspective here.

    The Kuyt incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Kuyt was quick and briefly touched Hleb's arm, little contact, not enough to make Hleb fall to the ground, but given the ref's view, you would probably get a penalty 7/10 times -Arsenal Unlucky.

    The Babel incident was a 'seen them given' penalty claim, Toure was flailing about all over the place, there was little contact on Babel, but at his speed any contact was going to knock him off balance. Given the ref's view, 7/10 times it would be a penalty - Arsenal unlucky, given the Kuyt incident, but not really on this incident as its usually a pen.

    Now to other key incidents in the ties that are nothing to do with referees-

    Firstly, Bendtner saves Liverpool by getting in the way of Fabregas' goal bound shot in Leg 1 - Arsenal not unlucky, that was their own fault, they would have led going to Anfield if it wasn't for this as well, every bit as vital as the penalty claim, and nothing to do with the referee.

    Secondly, Philip Senderos gets completely done by Hyypia at a corner. Hyypia did nothing spectacular, but Senderos' defending was amateurish by turning his back on the ball and the man - Arsenal's own fault, costing them momentum when they were totally in control - nothing to do with the referee.

    Thirdly, Adebayor misses a sitter which would have left 20 mins still to play with the scores at 2-2, instead of just 5 as it turned out. Who knows how the tie would have changed had he scored - Arsenal's own fault- nothing to do with the referee.

    Rafa Benitez always talks about the 'small details' before these huge games, and there are just a few examples of small details, another was Flamini going off injured, these things went in Liverpool's favour, and turned the tie, on another day, in another year, they would have gone in Arsenals favour. Thats football! Stop whining!

    I doubt Arsenal fans were bemoaning their luck just a week and half ago, when in the last minute at Bolton, Fabregas hits a shot, that hits one Bolton player, then hit another one, and goes in. That was a small detail that went in their favour and meant they were 2 points better off in the title race. That was luck, the CL was bad luck, get over it and stop whining!

    A further factor is Arsenal's continual failure to turn dominance into shots on target. In the first half hour last night, Arsenal were in complete control, Liverpool were abject and all over the place, but Reina had just 2 saves to make, and both in the move that led to the first goal.

    In the first game, Arsenal had 5 shots on target, Liverpool had 4. In the second tie, both teams had 4 shots on target (pen not included). Arsenal fans, and neutrals who dislike Liverpool, can talk about how Arsenal were the better team until the cows come home. But the stats don't lie, Football is about scoring goals, and Liverpool scored 2 more than Arsenal and had the same amount of shots on target. It was a very even tie (4 matches this season, 3 1-1 draws shows how evenly matched the teams are), and small details made the difference, both refeereeing details and player details.

    Thats football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    • Josh Smith about 1 year ago

      Despite the fact that you posted this thrice, I still think you've made the best points here, Simon. I don't believe Arsenal were mugged at all, and I would say both penalties (the one not given on Kuyt and the one given on Toure) were, as you say, 7/10 times a penalty. It really does all depend on how the referee sees the incident, and as I've said time and time and time again, you only get one view from one angle at ground level at full speed of any one incident, and you have literally less than one second to make the call, so every referee makes the decision based on experience--a gut reaction, if you will. Since every referee's experience is different, and so we get seemingly different calls. That's the game, and if you'd like it changed well I'm sure the IFAB is meeting soon so write them a letter.

      As for the earlier comment on how the referees DECIDE a game, that's just ludicrous. The call didn't come out of thin air, and I believe the fact that we are all arguing about it is evidence enough of that. No, it wasn't a stonewaller, but do we really believe that only 10/10's should be called? Even if we made that a "directive" to referees, we'd all be back on here again writing how this penalty was only 9/10 and the other was certainly 10/10, and we'd all be back in the same argument. Arsenal weren't mugged, they just didn't do enough.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Josh, if the penalty had not been given, then arsenal were through so I think they did do enough.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Josh, if the penalty had not been given, then arsenal were through so I think they did do enough.

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    • Simon Williams about 1 year ago

      Come on Andrew, play nicely, you earlier responded to the guy who said about Liverpool's 4th goal that it wouldn't have happened if the pen hadn't been given and the game changed as a result, which is true.

      So how can you then say that the game would have finished had the pen not been given? There was still 5 mins left, plus 3 mins of injury time, and anything could have happened in that time. Liverpool might have scored 2, Arsenal might have scored 2 more, there might have been another penalty incident, there might have been a mass brawl, we just don't know.

      Come on mate, you can't have it both ways.

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      I'm not trying to have it both ways..I really don't understand that comment. I never said the game would have been finished...I just said at 2-2 Arsenal were in front and therefore going through.

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    • Simon Williams about 1 year ago

      Yes but if Senderos had marked Hyypia properly Arsenal would have been in a winning position, if Adebayor had scored his sitter then Arsenal would have been in a winning position earlier.

      You are saying that Arsenal ONLY did not go through because of the penalty, and you cannot possibly argue that reasonably because we do not know what would have happened had the penalty NOT been given, and there were other factors which had just as big an influence on the result.

      As I said earlier on another article, Jeff Winter, former Premier League referee, says it was definitely a penalty, I have seen him on Sky Sports News but 2 hours ago. So thats TWO experienced officials who think it was a penalty. Have you heard any evidence from experienced top level officials to back up your claim that it wasn't a penalty? Or are you just saying you know the laws of the game better than two actual top level officials?

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      I'm saying if I was the ref I wouln't have given it. I have my referee badges if you must know and I make the point about the penalty because it was the last incident to swing the game. Misses have nothing to do with it, as they are what had happened earlier in the match.

      I'm saying the penalty killed Arsenal and without it I know we don't know what would have happened (I have never disputed that so get down off your high horse) but Arsenal would have been technically in the lead.

      That is all I've ever said. Do you want me to say it all for a fourth time Simon?

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  3. Simon Williams about 1 year ago

    I only commented once honest! And I didn't click more than once either, they really need to sort this out as its doing my head in!

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  4. Mark Syrett about 1 year ago

    Well it is neither here nor there now. Arsenal are out. Liverpool are through. Barcelona are now the team i'm supporting in the competition, and if they go out, well I just wont care.

    People are saying that Liverpool and Chelsea have captains with heart, whilst Arsenal do not. Well I would like to remind that Arsenals captain will be leading his country out at Euro 2008. John Terry and Steven Gerrard however will be watching at home, oh well guess they love their club more than their country. Shame that.

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    • Matt Binks about 1 year ago

      haha mark. England not qualifying for Euro 2008 has nothing to do with this whatsoever. A petty comment from an obviously uneducated fan.

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    • Matt S about 1 year ago

      Even more uneducated in so much as he doesn’t even know who France’s captain is. Gallas will certainly not be leading his team out at Euro 2008 as he is not captain of his country. Yes, he will be playing but he will not be “leading his country out”.

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  5. Matt Binks about 1 year ago

    This has realy turned into some debate but i think it has gone completely off the subject. Andrew was making a point about how Arsenal were mugged over the tie. I dont believe this myself, but it certainly wasnt saying anything about the money available to Wenger, his profficiency in the transfer market or refereeing Arsenal in general. One dude has even criticised decisions as far back as 3 seasons ago. Get some perspective! There comes a point when you have to stop blaming and look at your own teams shortcomings. I recognised Liverpools and wrote about how they could be solved, i didnt go back to Fowlers injury in 99 or the shocking decision at Anfield against Chelsea this season, why? Because i acknowledge these things as being part of football!

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Glad to see someone is marsalling the troops haha.

      I agree Matt, my comments were about last night's match and last weeks first leg. Nothing else came into it.

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  6. XXX XXX about 1 year ago

    Second leg games are great...

    It is a shame that these teams can't show it more often. We should have a don't bore us rule...

    We put up with a lot from the EPL and other leagues that is deemed entertainment and value for money and it isn't, last night the rules of the european game delivered us a fantastic match, and forced both sides into a mentality not often afforded week in week out...

    A breath of fresh air...

    I think it is about time a ref, pulls up things that get a booking elsewhere on the pitch but when in the box are dealt with less often, you play with fire you get burnt...

    Liverpool - Chelsea how very exciting, jesus no it aint...

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  7. Matt Binks about 1 year ago

    I still took part unfortunately Andrew! Cannot resist a good debate. Good luck in the UEFA, il be rooting.

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  8. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Why is it that Arsenal fans are like their manager and just come up with the "world is against us" excuses and not except that on the day the best team won.
    Last week Arsenal were by far the better team but didn't put the chances away and paid for it. Yes it should of been a penalty but people forget that just cause you get one doesn't mean your gonna score. Liverpool have the best pk stopper in the world, and who knows what would of happened.

    After the first 30 mins Liverpool bossed the game and they showed Arsenal for the tired team that they are. Just deal with the fact that Liverpool showed the never say die attitiude that they are known for and Arsenal thought they were through and paid for their lack of concentration.

    Also for those that moan about Liverpool v Chelsea again.....they are there and your team isn't

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    • Vincent Chow about 1 year ago

      Unfortunately i have to agree. As an arsenal fan, i would hate to see fans arguing over the officials or luck or anything like that. I would like fans to discuss the football instead. Footballing-wise, no one can convince me that arsenal deserved to lose, but they also did not deserve to win considering their defensive performance. football is not just about attacking..

      so liverpool went through wid a 'controversial penalty' incident. end of story really..

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    • Simon Williams about 1 year ago

      Some good points 'anoymous'. Also on the Liverpool v Chelsea thing about everyone saying how boring it is and will be, you know what, if you don't like it, or don't think you will, then don't watch it! No-one is forcing you to do so!

      As a Liverpool fan I can say that no cup semi final is ever boring, its just too nerve-racking to be boring. I can see why neutrals might not enjoy the tight encounters we have had with Chelsea, but as I say, vote with your feet then and do something else for 90 mins!

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  9. Yehana Steenbok about 1 year ago

    It was a well fought victory for Liverpool. Toure should not have pulled Babel down in the box. Walcott had an inspiring run but then again so did Babel...Well done Liverpool

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  10. Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago

    *sigh* Arsenal fans... prima donnas...always believing that the world is against them but its incredible how many Gunners fans I come across that talk so much crap about their team. Kick the dog while its down.

    Plain and simple, if you want to win a game, don't leave it up to the ref. Adebayor is such a rubbish player it amazes me how he still manages to score. My 13 year old sister could score some of the sitters he misses. Not saying that some of the best in the world do not miss easy chances, but this guy does it on the regular!! And the way he reacts after missing a sitter is incredulous. But this comment on here to join the debate is not about talking about Adebayor. It is about the team.

    Arsenal are just not good enough right now. They barely beat Milan [barely because firstly Milan didn't make much use of their possession as I know they can and secondly, they decided to play for extra time and pks towards the end.] I believe Wenger will stop being a snot and go out and get some really good quality players that will complement the current crop. And Arsenal fans should be hoping that they get rid of Eboue and Toure. They have been awful.

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    • Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

      "If you want to win a game, don't leave it up to the ref".

      Now aint that the biggest bullshit i've ever heard. It's no one's fault if the ref makes an error.

      They are good enough i guess but as you righly said beneath, Somebody got to lose!! Sadly Arsenal, Fenerbache, Shalke 04 and Roma were the ones to do that! It could easily had been the other way round except United. Fenerbache could easily have disposed of Chelsea had the scored a goal. same with Arsenal of Liverpool and Shalke or Barcelona......

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    • Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago

      Solomon I dunno how much bullshit you hear on a daily basis but if that's the biggest bullshit you've heard then you don't get out much.

      It's no one's fault the ref makes an error, but that was my point exactly.

      If Arsenal had made the most of their chances this debate wouldn't be going on right now.

      Calling an opinion bullshit is bullshit in my opinion.

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    • Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago

      You clearly said "If you want to win a game, don't leave it up to the ref", then you go on to say,
      "If Arsenal had made the most of their chances this debate wouldn't be going on right now".

      Sure, Arsenal didn't take their chances but that doesn't mean the opposition needs help from the ref for them to win the game...

      Do you really think Babel would have scored if they hadn't got the penalty decision?? My answer is NO..

      By the way, i didn't say your opinion was bullshit. I was referring to that first statement, which i still believe is bullshit...

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  11. Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago

    Alex Ferguson said it best:

    "If we've got a full squad we've got a chance. Somebody has got to lose. You have opportunities in life when you've got something special and we have something special and we want to go there and show that. We have to go there and be positive."

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  12. Joseppio about 1 year ago

    Boring, Boring Arsenal, Boring Boring Arsene! That's football, that's life. Quit whingeing like a little bitch and take your medicine.

    Anyone who has watched more than one game of football knows that these things happen all the time. Just one more variable to contend with. The trick is to be good enough that when decisions go against you, you can bounce back.

    If you want me to go through every game this season and see how many teams (including Liverpool at Stamford Bridge) were 'mugged' (what a stupid word) i'd be here well into next season.

    So how about talking about a great game from both sides with some great passages of play instead of this incessant bleating every time a referee awards a dubious penalty. IT'S SOOO BORING!!!

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Joe this article was up within 20 mins of the final whistle at Anfield. I felt that the game had been decided by a mistake by the ref. And how can you be good enough to recover with 7 minutes to go, when you just had your heart ripped out? Could you do it? No! So why say it?

      I'm not an Arsenal fan and never will be. This was my rant 20 minutes after a game of football. If you want to come and pick it apart a day later by my guest.

      As for all the little snide comments...I can only laugh.

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    • Joseppio about 1 year ago

      Andrew, I wasn't having a go at you, just the culture of ref-bashing being nurtured by muppets such as Wenger. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great manager but his constant bitching does my head in.
      I know exactly where you're coming from. I wrote this comment because as a Liverpool fan I felt aggrieved by the whole barrage of bad loser comments coming from Arsenal fans and others.

      Fact: Liverpool have been in the CL final in two of the last three years and have a good chance of going to Moscow this year. But it seems like whatever Liverpool do, whatever success we have, whoever we beat it's always down to how shit the ref was or how bad the opposition is. Credit where it's due please!

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    • Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

      Fair enough Joe. Maybe I responded a bit angrily. I never said Liverpool played badly or anything. Just felt I had to type haha.

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  13. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Arsenal and here I mean Wenger has many shortcomings in his current squad:

    1. A world class striker ala Etoo or Torres
    2. No 'plan B' when things don't quite go their way.
    3. Wengers' stubbornness in refusing to buy experienced players in key positions such as the central defence, goalkeeping and striking departments.
    4. No 'enforcer' in midfield.
    5. Midfielders who do not score enough goals because of a lack of shot-taking from midfield.
    6. Sticking to players who are not suited to the English game...Here I'm thinking of Hleb (as an Arsenal supporter I rate him as much as I rated Ray Parlour...a big fat ZERO. He is absolute dogshit. I don't know what the English people think of him but a) he is too slow b) he runs with his head in the ground and often makes the wrong pass to the wrong player. c) he often loses the ball while Arsenal are in a good scoring position. d) he does not create nearly enough scoring opportunities for players around him considering that he is in such an advanced position and finally he is DOG SHIT!!!! Gallas and Toure are not tall and muscular enough to deal with big strong strikers or crosses. Drogba bosses the Arsenal defence every time he plays them not because he is good, but because of his physique.
    7. Phillip Senderos is not a defenders arse. He is even lower than dog shit and should be playing in one of the lower leagues in Siberia instead he is parading his Neanderthal-looking ass in the best league on earth.
    8. Diaby and Gilberto should be sold or given away to whoever wants them.
    9. Not nearly enuogh flair wingers ala Ronaldo. Players with both speed and technical ability. There is too much of a sameness with this current Arsenal squad, especially on attack.

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  14. Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago

    It's that exact sameness that proved to be the downfall of the Arses this term. [apologies for the Arses comment I just couldn't resist]

    However Anon you got your theories slightly off-base. Firstly, Arsenal don't need a flair winger. If you look closely Arsenal is full of faux-flair players. Players who think they can keep passing the ball in midfield, and then it doesn't matter who is open, they would prefer to take on defenders and take the ball all the way when you have shite players like Adebayor waiting to score...or maybe it's the fact that 9 times out of 10 Adebayor blasts the ball over the cross bar and into the stands..with his feet and head [I still laugh out loud at his miss with the open goal this CL]

    Arsenal needs responsible players, not players who believe the ghost of Theiry Henry is still playing with them, holding their hands and taking them through a maze in midfield and the last 3/4. Hleb is totally useless. He cant shoot he can't pass but I also believe that is mainly due to Arsene's attitude, both at press conferences and on the sidelines. Almunia is in no way a Number one goalie. I despised Lehman but even he was better.

    Senderos has the potential to be a good player but he needs to understand that he is in NO WAY a pivot in the team. In fact I don't even know who you would call a pivot on the team... Diaby has no skill and their midfield is too weak, as in not strong enough. The only shining light in this season's campaign has been the play of Walcott who continues to amaze me and I would shimmy in my pjs if Ferguson manages to snag him...now wouldn't that be something.

    Adebayor is a laughing stock. How he manages to score is beyond me.

    All things said Anon I don't think it prudent you called a 'world class' soccer player like Hleb 'dogshit' :S
    we'll settle for 'Hleb is shite'

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    • Shawn Sieiro about 1 year ago

      "but I also believe that is mainly due to Arsene's attitude, both at press conferences and on the sidelines" - i was referring to arsenal's abject play

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  15. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Why are you all arguing over was it or was,nt it a penalty. In the 1st leg it was a penalty but it was not given, in the 2nd leg it was a penalty and it was given I am sorry if that upsets some people but hey thats football. A lot of people on this shall we call it debate seem truly pissed off that Liverpool have made it into the semi final of the champions league claiming that Arsenal were mugged, this is quite simply not the case as Liverpool scored more goals than Arsenal so deserve to go on to the next stage.

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  1. Dakota Rubin about 1 year ago

    Absolutely amazing game, but I dont think the penalty necessarily ruined it but I do feel for Arsenal and their fans because to come in to Anfield and score twice and play as well as they did only to lose is heartbreaking.

    The Gunners just didnt have the luck with penalties in the Champions League. Twice in the tournament Hleb was clearly taken down in the box (once in the first leg and then once against Inter) and neither was called and to lose on a very questionable penalty is terrible.

    The ref should have swallowed his whistle.

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  2. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    You are right Shawn...My apologies for comparing Hleb to dogshit. Dogshit has way more talent than him. :-)

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  3. Andrew McNair about 1 year ago

    Thanks for the great debate guys. Think we will bury this one now. Hope to hear from you all soon!

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  4. Simon Martin about 1 year ago

    I got back from the New Forest this morning - having deliberately made sure noone could tell me the football results - watched the Arsenal Match and was appalled! I am furious myself Andrew, that was nothing more than a combination of gamesmanship from Liverpool and a poor - in fact worse than poor - referee.

    I am still thinking of a suitable response really, I do not know how to describe my anger right now!

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  5. Ziad Achkar about 1 year ago

    All I can say is that the liverpool-arsenal tie was really amazing, was it a penalty? well i dont know... but then again, that is football, some days decisions go in your way, sometimes they dont, look at utd vs roma, brown clearly didnt take down mancini, but the referee gave a penalty anyway.. only for de rossi to miss it.... Arsenal Seem to have a curse in the champions league

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  6. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    I dont understand why people think Liverpool are boring

    If you analyze the statistics, no top flight team in europe has scored more goals this season in all competitions.

    And they score when it counts. If the penalty wasnt given, Stevie would have popped up.

    How many Arsenal defenders were left on the pitch? Come on, get over it

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  7. Kyle Connolly about 1 year ago

    Was just a crap decision thats all. Babel goes down in front of the kop, what do you expect to happen? If it were at the Emirates, the penalty wouldn't of been given. Thats football I guess

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  8. Marcus about 1 year ago

    Over the years Liverpool have had lucky calls in the CL and this adds to the list. The fact is it that this game was a classic. Liverpool won, but Arsenal deserved better...Here's an odd thought, why not have a system like the American football, where you challenge a call and have it replayed. Each team gets one challenge per game. The ref would have a minute to look at it. It would slow the game down, but you'd get more calls right and you wouldn't have a situation like you did here. This would hurt anybody....Thanks for writing as usual.

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  9. Andrew Joseph about 1 year ago

    arsenal have to spend sum serious money to get sum experienced players.....

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