Saha’s goal sees Arshavin and Wenger criticize in unison
While Arshavin’s current patchy performance and present philosophy of football might not go down well with Arsene Wenger, both player and manager have started seeing eye to eye following http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Louis-Saha-c22459’s controversial goal that saw Everton take the lead on Tuesday night.
Arsenal were seen to have exercised their home advantage and were comfortably in possession and dictating play. However, against the run of play, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742’s attempted block diverted the ball right into the feet of an ‘evidently offside’ Saha, who made no mistake finishing from close range. The entire Arsenal team with vocal support from the home crowd protested the decision but neither referee nor linesman was interested in hearing their plea.
The Arsenal manager reflected the views of his playing eleven and still holds by his initial view.
The Frenchman commented, "I felt it was offside. Most of the people who know the rules better than I do, agree with me. It's a bit [a problem] of the application of the law. It is a little bit down to interpretation of the referee and of the linesman, under these circumstances.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771 further seconded his manager’s views. The Russian wasn’t on the field during the first half and was subbed in for Tomas Rosicky in the following half and made instant impact putting the Gunners level in the 70th minute.
However, touching about the predicament his side faced going 1-0 down at home, the playmaker stated, "Perhaps, the referees get confused with the rules defining offside. How can one not notice ten-meter offside? I don't understand. After that goal it has become even harder to play."
However, while one could sympathise with the duo for the unfair fashion of the goal, it is worth reminding oneself that such harsh decisions are part of the game. True that the game could have been different had the home side headed into the 2nd half at nil-nil, but one would be a touch naive for crying over spilled beans. Here is where the North London side’s resolve was tested and they cleared the test in flying colours. Arsene Wenger’s men scored twice in 5 minutes and went on to bag all 3 points.
The Gunners travel next to Newcastle. Following a humiliating 1-0 defeat in the return fixture a few months back, the 2nd placed team in this season’s Premier League standings would be looking to settle the score.
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