Fantasy Premier League

Tale of two penalties

Wed Apr 09 03:52PM

Arsenal's Alexander Hleb (r) is pulled by Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt in the penalty area but no foul is awarded - Wednesday April 2, 09:22 PM
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Arsenal v Liverpool - Emirates Stadium

Arsene Wenger blamed the referee and his own defence for Arsenal's 4-2 defeat in an astonishing Champions League quarter-final at Liverpool.

The Gunners were seven minutes away from advancing to the semi-finals on the away goals rule after scoring to take the score to 2-2 on the night, but went out 5-3 on aggregate after two late Liverpool goals.

A controversial penalty award by Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt for a tug on Ryan Babel by Kolo Toure saw Steven Gerrard score the crucial goal to put Liverpool 3-2 ahead with five minutes to play.

To rub salt into Wenger's wounds, Arsenal had an identical appeal for a penalty dismissed in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week when Liverpool held them to a 1-1 draw in London.

"We have a feeling of disappointment and injustice. At the moment it is difficult because the whole dressing room is down," Wenger said.

"The game is over for us. It was down to a dodgy decision, I believe, from the referee.

"Over the two games it was difficult to swallow. It was a double disappointment because all the big decisions went against us.

"We have to live with that. Sometimes you have to swallow the unswallowable. It is difficult to understand for me.

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So is that all it is? A tale of two penalities... one given, one not. Both borderline calls that favored Liverpool. We look forward to your comments.

For me, the shame is that "Walcott's" goal - yes, it was K2's goal, but Walcott's run and set up was just amazing - really deserved to be the winner. What a moment. The ensuing penalty call that decided the game and the tie was so anti-climatic. Such a shock and in such contrast to the beautiful football on display just before.

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To me Fabregas looked absolutely shattered in the second half on Tuesday night. The man needed a rest at some point this season. Given his form for portsmouth, the decision to let Diarra go seems crazy now. He could have played alongside Silva in the game in the league on Sat and Arsenal would have been much fresher. Arsenal's 4-5-1 places a massive reliance on Adebayor, as Hleb has never been a much of a goalscorer. As for Eboue, yes the guy's quick but what else can he do? He can't shoot, certainly can't cross and just seems a complete waste of a midfield slot, particularly with Theo breathing down his neck.
Is anyone else also beginning to get slightly annoyed with wenger stating he has a young team? The main reason is that as soon as players get to 30, he's looking to ship them out. It's almost like he enjoys having the excuse. I love his philosophy and the way Arsenal play, but at some point they have to start realising their potential...
From the_evo_master on Thu Apr 10 11:02AM
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(31) i think his record in the transfer market is absolutely astonishing. he signs no-ones (henry, anelka, adebayor, flamini, toure, sagna) and makes them into top four players. and let's look at two of his more high profile sells - viera and henry. he totally canned them at exactly the right point in their careers. their form once they've moved has been indifferent. he does have a young team. in the unbeaten season he was playing experienced guys in their late twenties (and fab), now his team is predominantly under 25 and this is the first season they are playing together. the future looks bright for arsenal in my eyes...selling diarra was a mistake short term but i think the guy is not good enough technically or in terms of footbal intelligence. players like hleb, flam and cesc have mind blowing movement and touch which is what arsenals style in central midfield revolves around. eboue is pants...
From satheesh85 on Thu Apr 10 11:41AM
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re (32) I wouldn't agree that Henry was a nobody, he was signed from Juventus for just under £11M! But yes, Arsene has a superb record in the tranfer market, no-one can argue with that. My only worry is that perhaps if he signed a few players who were around 25,26,27 years old,instead of focussing purely on developing youngsters, the team would benefit from having some additional experience in the side.
I'm a Southampton fan so I'm relatively impartial about the prem (apart from Pompey obviously!) and I just think it's a shame that it's looking like Arsenal will end up with nothing this season. For example, imagine if they had used some of the Diarra money and moved for Woodgate in January, ahead of spurs. Now Arsene never would because he's: too old/injury prone and (most importantly) English, but would Arsenal have lost if Woody had been alongside Gallas instead of Senderos?
From the_evo_master on Thu Apr 10 12:07PM
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Yeah Liverpool got it away in Europe, dunno with their luck in Europe under Rafa, its big man. This is the third time if I can recall, remember Gerard long short effort in the dying minutes to make liverpool qualify in group stages (forgot the team, but I think it was from Germany) and than as you know Istanbul.
From daulay07 on Thu Apr 10 02:17PM
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he signs no-ones (henry, anelka, adebayor, flamini, toure, sagna)?
Show some respect to Ligue 1.
From illtiger1 on Thu Apr 10 03:26PM
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Look - i'm tired of this. In live action - babel looked to deserve a penalty. Ref's don't have the advantage of pouring over slow-motion footage do they?? So stop blaming them. Anyway, it's for the best .. surely liverpool dumping chelsea out of the champs leage AGAIN will be hilarious!
As a liverpool fan living in the heart of chelsea ... i'm dancing around at the prospect.
From wsuliman88 on Thu Apr 10 04:19PM
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Ha! Fantastic post number 36! I love it. I have followed Liverpool since I was a boy and hated Chelsea just as long. I hope we dump them HARD.
From geoffmumley on Thu Apr 10 07:32PM
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I believe penalty or no penalty the result on aggregate would still be in Liverpool's favor-- 5-4. So whats all the whining about anyways :=)
From mcneilkyle on Fri Apr 11 12:40AM
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liverppol always get the decisions
From b.sutton07 on Fri Apr 11 11:15PM
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