Salford Paul Tierney feeding back into the system he didn’t think it was a foul?
Ugh…
So embarrassing.
If you are the ref on the pitch, you are the director of the game. You are the KING of decisions. If you want to do something different, you are the person that matters. I cannot have ‘but I was just taking orders’ from a referee.
I won’t belabour this VAR thing too hard, but this is the issue you have with referees: the talent isn’t there.
I work in a creative field. You get a brief from people that want things. If we all agree the brief is good, then the work that I create is my responsibility. The difference between a good piece of work and a bad piece of work is the person making the creative decisions. Bad creative make bad work within the rules of the brief. Good creatives make good work within the rules of the brief.
Why am I talking about this?
Because there’s a false view going around that if we just changes this rule, or made this annoying things a bit easier, or gave them a bit of extra help… things would be better.
No. I’m sorry. The rules are not the problem. TV replays are not the issue. The problem with refereeing in the Premier League is the people that are paid to make good decisions are incapable – even with the help of TV and slow-motion replays.
If politicians keep making bad decisions, we vote them out (eventually)
If business leaders make bad decisions, the BoD fire them
If your local vet makes bad decisions on pets, no one uses them, they go bust
Let’s stop blaming the rules or VAR, those are the tools… blame the people using them.
Burn the system to the ground and start again.
Make the job about performance.
Pay them more so the role is coveted by more talented people.
Hold folk accountable to performance metrics:
- If they do well, reward them.
- If they fail, punish them.
Give the refs better tech.
Allow them to understand their blind spots with better data.
Make them all work together as a team so they all share the same standards.
Create consistency by engineered force.
Fixing referees doesn’t need to be led by another referee. Find a capable operations person that understands training, recruitment, data, tech, and has an undying LOVE for the game.
This problem is an admin one. Fixing it need not be hard. Why can’t the most spectacular culture export from the UK in 50 years get this right?
Now the heat of the United game has died somewhat, let’s talk about some key points:
Sambi Lokonga has a lot of talent, but we’re realising first-hand that he’s not the security of TP05 right now, he was a problem against United, and he’s going to have to sharpen up fast unless he wants a loan next season. The reality of signing kids is they take a while to develop, Sambi isn’t at the level yet, but we can’t hammer him for that. Remember, this time last year, some fans were calling Gabi M a bum. Now where are we with him?
Fans need to be more gentle with young players, we aren’t rich enough to buy ready-made BALLERS, so we have to go for potential. When people shit on those kids trying to make it, it slows their development. Arsenal fans have a big role in what we have now… because we never stopped singing for the players. Don’t be a Sambi hater, it’ll bite you in the end.
The ‘Big Mo ain’t it’ club have to face up to reality. If the Egyptian is in the starting 11 against United, we aren’t getting done in transition 3 times in the same game. The player is conservative in his politics and his passing, but he rarely leaves us exposed like Sambi did. We missed him.
Aaron Ramsdale has to own some of the responsibility for the goals. He guessed at the Antony shot and went the wrong way. He wasn’t on the edge of his area where he should have been for one of the Rashford goals. He has to sharpen up. At the highest level, these small mistakes don’t happen. Aaron can be the best in the game, he needs to get a little sharper in big moments. I am getting more and more concerned that Arteta has a blind spot for a keeping coach that has a bad track record with good keepers.
We have got to finish our chances. We are top of the attempts on goal chart, up there for shots on target, we’re close to City for touches in the opposition box… we need to be BURYING teams this season.
Our next game is THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FAM WE LOVE IT.
When I say ‘NOTHING TO FEAR’ I really mean it. They have two points from 7 games. They’ve conceded over 2 goals a game. They are total shite.
The issue is, we can’t rest all our players.
There’s going to have to be some first-teamers.
We’ll likely see Sambi.
Hard to see past at least one first-team centre-back unless Tomi plays there.
Ramsdale, White, Zinchenko, and Saliba will definitely not be in the starting 11.
Then we have to work out who starts in the attacking positions.
Do we have a frontline of Marqinuhos, Eddie, and Smith Rowe if he’s ok? Where does Fabio V play? What about Matt Smith? Are there any other kids who might get the nod?
Who knows, but we have to be fresh for Everton. They’ve drawn their last three. I personally think they look a lot better. They have a lot of physicality in their side. If we show up Europa drunk, there’s a chance they could score early.
… I also have to own up to it: I may have said Antony Gordon wasn’t worth £60m. So if he scores, that’s on me.
Ok, short one from me. If you missed it, take a likkle look at The AOP On The Whistle podcast. Leave a 5* review.
ALSO, remember, we do Patreon now. If you want previews to games, get on it.
1st
And
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Tr4phy
Spot on Pedro in regards to refs and Ramsdale and our goalkeeping coach.
And I agree. That’s the difference with world class keepers and Ramsdale. Take last season, Alisson produced a worldy against odegaard ,, then Liverpool promptly went up the pitch and scored a goal Ramsdale should of prevented. After that it was one way traffic. A truly world class keeper wins you points, Ramsdale is costing us a few points over the last 5-7 months.
The way to get rid of bad refs is to pay them less.
Should import the best refs from the other leagues
At least that would get rid of local bias
Your right Antony Gordon is not a 60 m player but he is decent.
The player I have mentioned before is RAMSEY AV he would do
Nicely and the name alone brings back good memories for me.?
Love the Artwork.
If the VAR team from the Newcastle v Palace game can not see a push on Willock then they have never played the game.
James Wood- I wouldn’t give Aston Villa the steam off my piss.Speaking of which I’d have f ** k all dealings with the jumped up no marks.They’d only try & insult us again.It’s all they’ve got.
But he is a good player ?😂
Yes Peds.Everton have a lot of physicality & height & will play with two banks of four & boot anything that moves.Will make Villas approach look like a fairies tea party.Don’t know enough about the ref “ Simon Hooper”(Swindon) as to whether he’ll let them get away with it.As for VAR,it’s Mike Riley.So we’d better pray there’s no 50-50 decisions to be had.Cos we know what clear & obvious means to him.
It could make sense to let the fourth official go to the screen instead of the ref who is made to judge
himself in the heat of the moment(play). A rule that a goal should stand rather than a soft offside or foul is a must imo. Also teams should be able to argue against certain refs for 2-3 fixtures.
Bissouma was a ready made baller at DM and was only 25m which is what we have been paying for potential. basically we overpaid for Sambi and I reckon we will be sending him out on loan and then sell at a loss in a year or two as the likes of Patino come through.
Arteta ned to be bold and give Matt Smith a chance at on Thursday. he is old enough, good physicality and has league experience so lets see if he is good enough.
LOL they’re bringing in Howard Webb to sort out VAR🤣
It’s almost impossible to be as inept as these refs. It has to be corrupt but their honesty is never questioned, the very concept is not discussed by any pundits or journalists. Just look at Blatter, Platini. Just look at Qatar and Russia. The game is riddled with corruption. Someone has to investigate the PGMOL.
Fab art work. Will Dr Who be playing thursday night?
I really think you are right to labour the VAR failure. We were reffed by VAR and totally screwed over yet again in top level games.
Sambi turns 23 y/o in October
He can’t be considered a ‘kid’ anymore. He needs to sharpen up quick.
He’s defensive awareness is gash. I’ve seen him launch too many opposition attacks by shanking the ball in strange ways.
I guess we won’t be signing anyone lease at Vincent Kompany’s recommendation.
Cesc at 16 y/o was performing better than the likes of Lokonga.
** I guess we won’t be signing anyone else at Vincent Kompany’s recommendation
Lokonga is an offensive player who is been told to play like Partey. Keep in mind to that Partey plays that position on his own. So we are basically asking him to do whats hes not been groomed for, on his own.
More than Lokonga we lost the game because of variety of reasons. VAR, Arteta’s subtitions, Arteta not giving Vieira enough minutes before that game, Xhaka’s lack of pace, and the fact that we are still learning killer instinct which I think is the biggest reason why we lost.
We had 6 of our shots blocked against United. They had 0 shots blocked by us. We had 8 shots off target to their 2.
They had six shots on target to our three. Most of our shots were in the wrong columns, theirs was on point. Kiler instinct, thats why we lost this game.
Also one of Vieira or Smith-Rowe should be included in our starting 11. We need a number 10 with who can consistently put pressure on the opponents defense starting most of our games with Odegaard.
The funny thing is that Partey is not a traditional DM. HE didn’t play that way for Athletico and certainly not for Ghana. Playing him there to accommodate Xhaka in the squad is a bloody waste of time and limiting his abilities for our team. Bottom line is that we messed up this summer and I mentioned it along with others repeatedly and no need highlighting some of the responses ….. Point is that Partey shouldn’t be out DM but left playing further up the field in the 8 spot and a more athletic and dynamic player featured at the… Read more »
To have shots on target you have to take them – Ode & Saka take note. Of our advanced players It is only Martinelli and sadly absent ESR who seems to have the courage and conviction to shoot from more then say 8-10 yards.
GD4
Might this be why he keeps getting injured since he joined because his body can handle that role ?
DM .looks like their saving their shekels for Danilo come January.Or you would imagine someone of that mould.Get the right man & it could be a game changer.
I wouldn’t play him in the 8 spot though if I were Arteta. I believe we have better prospects in the team for that position in Smith-Rowe, Vieira and I think Saka eventually.
I think Saka will end up getting moved into the middle and I believe that is when we will see the best of him. His attributes are perfect in the middle. For those who are saying they that want a guy that drives with the ball in the middle, Bukayo is your guy.
I know he has his doubters, but I think the refereeing situation will improve when Webb takes over. From what I have read, he is more likely to embrace openness and accountability than Riley. Riley is compromised, he went along with things he shouldn’t have years ago, and now has to stick with them, like looking after Utd in any way he can.( his old boss, Scudamore is on record as stating a strong Utd is good for the brand) If the likes of Halsey, Hackett and Richard Keys are to be believed, these refs themselves are a good and… Read more »
Naija, You could be on to something but also don’t discount the physicality of the EPL a compared to La Liga and you factor in that the man is aging. I hate to say it but he has lost a noticeable step. I noticed it in the palace game when Zaha on two occasions ghosted past him like he wasn’t there. That doesn’t happen to the old Partey who used to grip the midfield like a vise. His performance versus Liverpool in the champions league was prolly one of the best I’ve ever seen a midfielder handle that press and… Read more »
Can’t think of many times Odegaard has made a sprint into the open space the way Erisken did for Manure’s 3rd. https://arsenalist.com/f/rashford-makes-it-3-1-2022-09-04.html
Eriksen’s game is much more diverse than Ode’s. For their 1st ( https://arsenalist.com/f/man-utd-goal-1-0-2022-09-04.html ) and 2nd goal ( https://arsenalist.com/f/man-utd-goal-2-1-rashford-2022-09-04.html ) he receives the ball in the position that Partey is playing for us. Then for their 3rd the perfect timing of his run saw him as the most forward player of Manure.
Ode still has a lot to learn in how to be more influential in his position.
PGMOL has a northern England bias and Alex Fergusson was instrumental in appointing Mike Riley. Riley was instrumental in most of Alex Ferguson title wins including stopping the invincible team to achieve 50 unbeaten records. Mike Riley was in the middle allowing Rooney to dive for a penalty decision and looking on as the Nerville brothers kicked Reyes repeatedly without any calls.
Upon recommendation by Alex Ferguson, Mike Riley got the nod to head the PGMOL.
Do shit, don’t get paid right?
Does this logic apply to the footballers, too?
I’m not defending the referee or VAR but this narrative is embarrassing. It’s the ‘Wenger’ narrative ffs! No one’s fault, always the other team cheating or buying better players, the weather, the fouls???
If Arsenal had scored more goals, they would have won the match. Simple.
Le Grove is becoming the excuse machine. Stop.
If you’re setting Cesc as a benchmark, then you’re setting virtually every young player up to fail, Cesc is one of the best teenage midfielders I’ve ever seen. City signed Rodri at 23 for a lot of money, and he took season to settle, they’ve just signed Phillips for £45million, who at 25 was still playing in the Championship. Liverpool signed Fabinho at 24, who had a lot more experience, and cost a lot more, this is what Klopp had to say: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797692-jurgen-klopp-says-it-may-take-fabinho-6-months-to-adapt-to-liverpools-style There’s a obviously things Sambi can improve at 22, that’s stating the obvious, and we’ll need him… Read more »
Odegaard is just a short passer of the ball and panics in all the big games throwing clear chances away. He’s Arteta yes-man according to GK Aaron hence his appointment as Captain. Captain material for Norway yes but not same for Arsenal; he can’t handle the pressure.
Sadly with Guns on that one, think every team is in one way or the other on the receiving end of these absolutely dreadful calls and refereeing rather than some grand conspiracy against any particular team.
The team who scores more goals usually wins a football match
yes Saka could well be best moving back into MF as he is many ways a similar player in how he moves with and uses the ball to what Wiltshire was and has the intelligence to spot gaps for a through pass and also has some defensive nous
Sinner-Alcaraz will be absolutely fireworks in the QF. Will be refreshing to have a first time slam winner now too tbh as much as I am disappointed for Rafa.
Odegaard is much more suited to games at the Emirates where we dominate the ball and they are pinned right back.
But in a match like OT where the pitch is massive, ESR is much more of an asset and dangerous due to his ball-carrying ability not to mention his increased goal-threat. Odegaard too often looks for the pass when he should shoot, a bit like Ozil in that respect albeit not to Hleb levels.
A capital city of 9.5m people and NOT ONE premier league referee.
This is by design.
Howard.So old Red Nose installed his man in the seat of power.Where Riley knowing who put him there was to continue to payback Ferguson big time over the years on top of his Manure allegiance.A very shrewd move from Fergie.Guaranteed his bidding on who could & should not ref their matches & strategically moved refs loyal to their viewpoints to rivals matches.Particularly Arsenal it would seem.Coupled with the media influence, a heady mixture.
Correct Howard. Scudamore also involved, on one level, protecting the Utd brand, on another level, having to ensure Fergies influence and excesses didn’t get out too far to avoid a scandal which would certainly have hit his brand. Riley is just a throwback to an embarrassing era that should have been called in at the time, and moved on since, a throwback that they haven’t known what to do about him until this year. Things will improve when Riley is gone, if Keys to be believed , he is a sad man who hangs around Shockley Park meddling. The refs… Read more »
VAR!wake up people
Guns of Hackney,
I hear what you’re saying but take into account the Chelsea vs West Ham game, Villa vs City, Newcastle vs Palace and then the Utd vs Arsenal game. For me its quite hard to argue against not needing some serious change to the ref/var situation as big decisions really did affect the outcome of all of those matches and there is no consistency whatsoever
For the umpteenth time.Introduce “ Hawkeye” for off side to do away with Lino & VAR meddling( corruption) & adopt Rugby Union practice of its use.And while we’re on it.Stop the clock when interruptions & ball out of play.Not to be decided by some random figure of extra time the ref wants.Adopt these 3 initiatives & you’ll see a massive improvement.Maybe not perfect.But improved.
I don’t think English referees are incompetent. I think they’re (most of them) corrupted.
@EdTheRed
I agree, they’ve been corrupt for years and if anything VAR has made that clearer now.
Both crooked and half cooked
I totally agree with the take on the refs. Rules could certainly be simplified but that’s not the root cause for this shit show. For example, the rule that says that VAR should only overrule the decision on the pitch if it’s a clear and an opus error is as simple as it gets. Yet, every week, VAR is used to re-referee marginal decisions. It’s a competence issue. Sambi is not a kid. He’s just a player who isn’t as good as we hoped he would become. That’s OK, not every purchase turns out as expected. But we should have… Read more »
P’Ro ””””The ‘Big Mo ain’t it’ club have to face up to reality. If the Egyptian is in the starting 11 against United, we aren’t getting done in transition 3 times in the same game. The player is conservative in his politics and his passing, but he rarely leaves us exposed like Sambi did. We missed him””” Reality or not….. The fact of the matter is Elneny played at Manchester United last season and the team still let 3 in. The team went 1 zero up as well. Elneny maybe likeable – but he should have been shown the exit… Read more »
Last weekend was probably the worst collective performance by premier league refs.
Couldn’t agree more with your post, pedro!
The emphasis on VAR has easily worsened the standard of refereeing we’re seeing today. It”s like the refs no longer trust their judgement.
Tierney is a prime example.
Speaking of which, Villa we’re robbed of two legit goals; and Newcastle must be scratching their head all over
Another point on VAR: don’t premier league teams know how to lobby any more? I mean, take the lines that they use to determine on/off side….virtually every manager has an issue with the pixel-perfect approach. Sure agreeing to a reasonable margin is the solution?!
Over the last week we’ve seen Isak ruled offside while (I forget the other one) was ruled onside – yet they’re near identical and can’t possibly be considered as a disadvantage to the defending team.
It’s madness how the premier league have allowed themselves to become a laugh stock
A Manure supporter friend told me people (in a pub i think ) chanting for VAR when Martinelli scored and most started to hi fives, clapping, yelling “yessss” etc…when the darn VAR banner popped up on the TVs… like they just equalized!
These suckers knew the decision would go their way and so celebrated straightaway Some of these refs are embarrassment to EPL really.
I don’t know if English refs are actually corrupt ie taking dodgy money, but I firmly believe they have to tow the line of a highly compromised system and management to make it to elite level, stay there and certainly to get the big games. Riley was bought into post purely to maintain an establishment structure, an over powerful manager and club. He has no other uses, he certainly isn’t good at his job. The manager has moved on, the establishment contains other clubs, and it’s time for him to go. But someone as one dimensional as Riley and his… Read more »
VAR is supposed to pick up “clear and obvious ” ref errors. So what’s so clear snd obvious about Martinelli’s goal? How far back would VAR go to find issues? 10seconds, 30, or a minute or two? That’s basically re-ref the game… which fat Mason did. VAR refs aside, the problem is, clear and obvious, we didn’t manage to score more than them. I often feel we don’t shoot properly. Yes, easier said than done but with our highly skilled players, why our shots hit or directed at the goalies frequently? I rather see Jesus’s curl a foot wide (with… Read more »
“”””tow the line of a highly compromised system and management to make it to elite level, stay there and certainly to get the big games.”””
You dont have to take money directly to be crooked, there are many indirect ways to benefit by making unbalanced decisions
Charlie Watts who gets a lot of Arsenal info seems to think Partey is returning to full training this week.
Of course that is decent news if true but the caveat being it’s a rinse and repeat situation of getting him back to fitness and he breaks down again, 40% games missed we simply should of addreessed this situation last two windows at least.
If Lokonga and Marquinhos don’t shine till Jan, Arsenal will be 6th again.
I’m not counting Nketiah – he cannot shine. He just cannot. An extremely average footballer being spun by stupid Arsenal fans as the next Jesus. Utter rubbish!
Arteta’s career doesn’t need more than a EL trophy and a CL qualification. Why wud he not put forth cuntish criteria of age and attitude above quality?
Arteta has purposefully not added quality at CM and RW. He knows Kroenkes wud have demanded quicker returns than with current investment. Smart manager fooling Arsenal fans.
Useroz- obviously c ** ts.It’s a typical Manure chant.Seeing as they rely on it so much to get them out of jail.
Eddie has bulked up and looks more imposing all right but I am still not convinced that he is better than average as a player.
I see him ending up at a lower to midtable PL side and developing into a 10-15 PL goal a season ST best case scenario if I am honest.
Foxinthebox
With a name like yours, whatever happened to real recognize real, dissing my man Eddie like that ? Eddie’s problem right now is that he’s maybe too over-zealous ? He seems desperate to score. Can you blame him. Hes been riding Arsenal’s bench for 5 years watching everyone have their moment.
Err.Foxy.Take a break.A permanent one.
WengerEagle
Nah I disagree on Eddie. If he had started our 6 games so far he will be on more goals than Jesus. And I m really loving Jesus.
Also if he ends up being a 15 goal a season player like you said, the big clubs will move for him. So then i guess he’s a big game player.
I always begin with: “I love Smith Rowe but….” After 2 games last week, most of our players could really use a break from starting on Thursday. They’ve more than earned in distance covered, pressing etc. If Smith Rowe can’t start.. most likely one of Saka or Martinelli will be forced to go again. Vieira giving a rest to Ødegaard, and the new Marquinos has to play. To those who were complaining about Arteta not using him enough last season, you were very wrong as usual. Same thing for those saying “we have the perfect #10 to play next to… Read more »
Gwen Dozy,kolasinac & Tavares over at the lane tomorrow should be feisty,hopefully.Lets hope there’s a full on riot.Both on & off the pitch.😂
Sorry.Left out our man Sanchez.That’s four.love it.
@Pedro Glad your columns are more leaning to the realistic side recently. With PT05 being named in the Ghana squad for the friendlies they have the decision not to bring in cover looks even worst now and that was a deliberate decision by Edu & Co. Real’s Vinicius Jr. just got his Spanish passport and they can sign another non EU player watch them going for Jesus in the Jan TW to cover for the aging Benzima and Houston we have a new problem next summer. It is a never ending problem, once the “process” seems to turn positive another… Read more »
Sambi Lokonga has more talent in 1 toe than Buffouna has in his whole body, brain included.
Melo loan would’ve been decent move as a safety play, but of course he’d choose Liverpool over us anyway.
From Previous Post
Un. 6.35
You 100% wrote what I’ve been thinking.
I’ll just add that we will also need about 150k for those players. If I were the coach I’ll go:
Gabriel’s replacement – Joachin Anderson of Palace
DM/CM -Ruben Neves
Winger – Coddy Gakpo
Get those 3 done, or players that are as good as those and we’ll comfortably give the top teams a run for their money.
Loving the recent art work Pete, its great.
Looks like Auba gets the Champions league start for Chelsea against the mighty Zagreb.
Such a weird look, more so the Ollie G in Blue.
Pos Pete,
Good suggestions to improve the game.
Also, ignore a foxinthebox….obviously a troll.
football is just a microcosm of the wider world, filled with so called “good people” who consistently and conveniently become dumb when faced with evil. Because deep down the dominant society knows all that it has attained, the life they live has come from the same evil they pretend to be appalled by. is the referee situation that different from the arsenal goal keeping coach situation? Nope. You scratch my back/its who you know…. etc etc. This embarrassing “civilisation” was built on unqualified/incompetent people being put into positions of power/opportunity/wealth etc. This system cannot function without corruption, like the the… Read more »
Cannot believe that it has been 17 years since we witnessed the fuckery at OT against us and we are still having these issues with the refs. 17 god damn years lol
Lololololol Chavz down 1-0
Nketiah is quality, great instinct and first touch, as lethal as Aguero
Auba forgot to remove the thong from his head
Those white Chelsea kits touching on Liverpool’s away Psychedelia number in ugliness.
Oof they are bad.
The real blues winning this one thus far.
Chelsea should at least be down 2-0
Great post Pedro re refs. I was unsure of whether to clearly call out that refs are corrupt (thanks for saying it EdtheRed earlier) on Saturday in case tjat would affect Pedro… but in am pretty sure they are. It may not be your classic case of a brown envelope being given but refs are deciding based on their footballing allegiances. And this should not be happening. Refs must ABSOLUTELY remain impartial at all times to ensure that the letter of the law is applied. They can do it in rugby so why cannot it be done in EPL football?… Read more »
Dinamo keeper looking like prime Buffon
The vićs, the rićs and the sićs beat the Chavs must be something in the players names that put a sićk performance on display for the Chavs. Multi million dollar team looses against mighty Zagreb a day to celebrate.
DB10, they may not be disbanded, but change is coming in the form of Howard Webb. Yes, I know! But going on what he has stood for in the US, and what I have read about him ,there will be much more openness, better training and coaching of refs, and accountability. The US has 2 VAR refs going to the WC, none of Riley’s have been trusted to do that. Webb, and Clattenberg got away from Riley’s boys club. I believe the only reason Riley is still there, because what he knows, and perhaps no point in getting an interim… Read more »
Said it before and I will say it again LG is the Kentucky bucket of AFC websites. Well done Pedro and here’s to another 15.
Sambi isn’t the problem, he’s not a DM so asking him to play there is asking for trouble
Nigel, I’d still rather have Bissouma playing DM than Sambi