Match Day Arsenal v Bournemouth, Sunday 27th November 14:15

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Arsenal seem to be in a slightly sticky run at the moment, but it's still going to be a huge ask for us to get something. We just don't setup in a way that causes better sides much trouble, because we try out-playing and out-passing them in an effort to learn something from the beating that'll normally result. That's just Howe's principle and he'll stick to it. Wilshere is obviously ineligible and he's been massive for us, it'll be interesting to see who Howe picks in his place and how our midfield, so strong this season, copes without him against such strong opposition.

We've ticked along quite well so far this season, and at present we're proud to have squeaked into the top half last week. But we're entering a hard run between now and new year with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal again to come in the coming weeks and it's tight below us, so anything we can sneak from these games would be a real bonus.

 

[Pagnell]

Wilshere not being selectable will make a big difference. An fairly easy win for Arsenal for me, by a couple of goals.

2-0

 

[smat]

Will be interested to see our squad selection. We've really missed Cazorla (again) in the past few weeks. Wilshere is, in fact, probably the next best thing at the club when it comes to keeping possession in the middle of the park. Ramsey is great but we always look ragged with him in the centre. Maybe Elneny and Xhaka is worth a go? I don't know.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Arsenal to win this fairly comfortably I reckon, interesting to see how Debuchy performs for the home side. Jack Wilshere is a big miss for Bournemouth, and just can't see them getting anything.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Arsenal gifted the lead, shocking back pass from Cook, Sanchez cool finish.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Bournemouth equalise from the penalty spot, Wilson scores. They've responded well to going behind here Bournemouth.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Fucking hell we've actually been awarded a penalty?

Steve Cook being Steve Cook earlier, that's always in his locker once every few games or so. Doesn't exactly help starting like that. Good response though.

 

[thespus]

Soft penalty. Need to refocus, well in control before that and now all over the place.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Bournemouth looking tasty going forward.

 

[thespus]

After replays, Wilson does very well to bounce off Monreal.
Bournemoth have looked great since apart from a few lapses in concentration with the final product.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Pleased to see us have a good 20 min spell of actively taking the game on the front foot and creating chances away at Arsenal. But for the stupid individual error from Cook, that's a good half.

Concentration, as mention above, is the key. Both in forward areas to deliver when an opening comes, but also at the back where Arsenal won't need any additional invitation or assistance from our defence in scoring themselves.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Theo Walcott header puts Arsenal back in front.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Yeah unmarked, defensive concentration...

Just need to keep it steady now and not panic. Don't fly forward overly gifting too much space behind.

 

[thespus]

Xhaka's passing is brilliant. If he sorts the discipline out, he'll be a massive player for us.
Poor tackle by Alexis.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Arsenal fans are a reyt bunch of moaning fannies, anyone would think they were losing.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Clear handball.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Arsenal fans are a reyt bunch of moaning fannies, anyone would think they were losing.

They're the weirdest fans in the Premier League.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Everytime they mis place a pass it's a massive groan, that's a good save from Cech there.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Great save Cech.
We're giving it a go, can't ask more than that, better than rolling over as we did last season. Progress being made regardless of the result, but if we can just sneak something...?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Ah bollocks, miss a free header of our own, then Arsenal go up the other end and finish the game off.

Good effort today all the same, fine margins,

 

[thespus]

Clear handball.

Monreal's arm shouldn't have been up, but that is ball to hand. Still, more of a penalty than the one given.

Good, deserved three points after a tough fight from Bournemouth. Not a bad November by our standards.

 

[PDS]

You do often wonder how good we could be if we currently out half the stupid mistakes we make that lead to goals.

Still, glad we took the fight to Arsenal, and on another day could have got the equaliser. the Handball looked stonewall from our position but will need to see it again. Down the other end that is definitely given.

Certainly some positives, Ake was good again and we did cause problems at times. At least we have a more winnable game against Liverpool next. Balls.

 

[PDS]

The infamous emirates atmosphere was at least better than the Olympic Stadium this time around. So there's something.

 

[thespus]

Down the other end that is definitely given.

Is it?

Bournemouth penalty: https://streamable.com/84sv

I see this argument often, big clubs get the decisions. I think it's applied more often than it is accurate. Bournemouth were given a soft penalty from a Wilson embellishment. Alexis was clearly tripped on the 18 yard box when played through by Xhaka, which should have been a free kick. Important distinction: I'm not saying Arsenal, or big clubs, are hard done by re: officiating, I question the validity of "down the other end that is definitely given".

 

[smat]

Is it?

Bournemouth penalty: https://streamable.com/84sv

I see this argument often, big clubs get the decisions. I think it's applied more often than it is accurate. Bournemouth were given a soft penalty from a Wilson embellishment. Alexis was clearly tripped on the 18 yard box when played through by Xhaka, which should have been a free kick. Important distinction: I'm not saying Arsenal, or big clubs, are hard done by re: officiating, I question the validity of "down the other end that is definitely given".

I thought the Bournemouth penalty was a penalty tbh. Felt Wilson just got in front of Monreal and Monreal couldn't stop himself from toppling Wilson over. He remains undeniably the weak point in our defence. Aside from the fact we haven't got any right backs... Lovely cushioned cross for Walcott's goal, though.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Is it?

Bournemouth penalty: https://streamable.com/84sv

I see this argument often, big clubs get the decisions. I think it's applied more often than it is accurate. Bournemouth were given a soft penalty from a Wilson embellishment. Alexis was clearly tripped on the 18 yard box when played through by Xhaka, which should have been a free kick. Important distinction: I'm not saying Arsenal, or big clubs, are hard done by re: officiating, I question the validity of "down the other end that is definitely given".

I think you've ever so slightly missed the point we're making. The gut feeling is that the ref was never going to give two penalties to the small away side at Arsenal. The first one was soft yes, a 50/50 call, probably still a valid penalty by word of the law - but debatable and soft. The second pretty cut and dried - agreed? We feel (rightly or wrongly) that had we not been given the first we'd have been given the second. Or had the handball been at the other end after us getting the first, the ref absolutely gives it to Arsenal.

The issue is partly one of the big club getting the decision, but you miss the other issue which is the apparent physiological barrier of a ref giving the second penalty even if it's valid to do so or being more prone to give one the other way with the 'evening it up' effect. Consistency in the application of the law is all anyone can ask.

This comes a week after we were not given a cut and dried penalty at Stoke, where as they were given a soft but probably valid penalty at the other end. A couple weeks after we were treated to a baffling Mike Dean extravaganza against Sunderland. And after Spurs kept 11 men on the pitch when two of them should have walked by the letter of the law.

Ultimately had Afobe or Mousset buried their chances it wouldn't have mattered. And obviously all clubs have decisions go against them all the time. However we've really grown into this division now and are taking the game to the opposition more and more, forcing big decisions from refs more so than before. I certainly feel the last couple months have been weirder than I'd consider normal for those not being given. I share my fellow supporters' recent frustration. We thought the soft penalty was starting to even that bad run out, but alas not.

I realise that might all sound a bit Jose Mourinho or something - but I just wanted to explain that it's not just yesterday's isolated decisions that irk us, but a continuation of the season to date.

 

[thespus]

Absolutely - these frustrations amount over time, and I didn't intend to imply any ill-will. You won't find any argument from me, given my fondness of statistics and applicable mathematics, that each incident should be reviewed independent of previous occurrences. My point was restricted to "it would have been given for (insert big club)" receiving weight than it supports. That is a belief I've held over a longer sample size than this match, we just happened to have the questionable decisions which went Bournemouth's way in the first half.

Re: the penalty, I believe Wilson did very well to make what would have been shoulder-to-shoulder contact a decision for the referee. The handball looked more of a penalty to me. Ball-to-hand, but Monreal shouldn't have his arm out there.

Officiating aside, I do believe we deserved the three points, but Bournemouth had some excellent periods and should really be aiming for a top 10 finish. If they can retain Howe and improve the defensive personnel, they can comfortably establish themselves at the top level. Given the beauty of American television, I can watch every league game, and I think Bournemouth have become a weekly watch for me.