Champions League Final

[Guest]

Feel pretty sorry for Arsenal tonight, i felt they really should have won tonight, even with 10 men, henry should have scored after 3 minutes and 70 mins. But with 10 men that was always going to be very tough.

What was everyone's views on the red card? Personally I thought he should have played advantage, but even then does he go back and show the red card afterwards? certainly a rush of blood to the head though by Lehmann, which ultimately was an extremely costly one.

Shame that the trophy couldn't stay in this country, but well played Arsenal they can certainly hold their heads high after that dogged resistance.

 

[Beefy]

The ref was hopeless for 90 minutes. Looked like a League One ref.

If you haven't got the common-sense to allow the game to develop for another two seconds before making a decision which will completely change the course of the biggest club match on the Planet then you don't deserve to be refereeing at all, let alone at that standard. Appalling.

And no, he couldn't have given the goal and red-carded Lehmann. Attempting to deny a goalscoring opportunity isn't a red-card offence.

I disagree with Henry saying that the ref was biased though. I don't think he was biased I just think he was hopeless.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I'm just delighted Arsenal got chinned.

 

[sufcintheprem]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ May 17 2006,22:49)]The ref was hopeless for 90 minutes. Looked like a League One ref.

If you haven't got the common-sense to allow the game to develop for another two seconds before making a decision which will completely change the course of the biggest club match on the Planet then you don't deserve to be refereeing at all, let alone at that standard. Appalling.

And no, he couldn't have given the goal and red-carded Lehmann. Attempting to deny a goalscoring opportunity isn't a red-card offence.

I disagree with Henry saying that the ref was biased though. I don't think he was biased I just think he was hopeless.

I can't actually believe I've watched the same game as a lot of people on here.

I thought the ref was ok. The big decisions seem to be the sending off and the 'foul' on Eboue before the Arsenal goal. I haven't seen whether Eto'o was offside for the first goal but that's nothing to dow ith the ref.

Apart from that, I thought he let quite a lot of strong challenges go where most European refs would have penalised players and kept his cards in his pocket when it might have been tempting to get them out.

For the red card incident, personally, I would have played on and given the goal. If he's made his mind up that it's going to be a freekick then at least he's been decisive. One consideration I would suggest is that Giuly might have been offside when Eto'o flicked the ball across but I didn't see it replayed from the right angle and couldn't comment.

But for all the Arsenal fans whinging on 606, you'd think he gave everything Barca's way. Eboue really wasn't fouled by Puyol.

I still don't see why people rave so much about Puyol. Granted, he's better than most Spanish defenders I've seen but his decision making at times today was terrible.

 

[Beefy]

The referee was hopeless. Could have sent Eboue off three times, allowed Van Bommel to kick & dive his way through the first hour, never allowed the game to flow, gave numerous free-kicks the wrong way and gave a yellow card for the best tackle of the night.

One thing that annoys me more than just about anything in football though is referees who won't play the advantage. My big fear about the World Cup is that its going to be ruined by incompetant officials who think that they should be getting the same billing as the players.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Arsenal should never have taken the lead from that very dubious free-kick award - Puyol never touched the cheating, diving, fecker - so I'm delighted justice was seen and Barca won.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ May 18 2006,01:00)]...its going to be ruined by incompetant officials who think that they should be getting the same billing as the players.

... just like all levels of football then?
I personally don't hold out much hope for fair refereeing in the Championship next season, especially as we'll be considered the poor relations!

 

[canveyshrimper]

The reaction of Henry after the game should probably been more considered, but this happens sometimes when a mic is shoved up your nostril within seconds of losing a massive game.

However it has to be said the referee was pitiful, he should have allowed the "goal" by Giuly, and then the match could have contiued 11 v 11. Henry has a point as Marques was continually going through from behind and was not spoken to. Although Henry himself was booked after making a great and fair tackle.

Henrik Larsson turned the game, and good luck to Barcelona on their victory. I can't blame Arsenal for feeling cheated.

I am concerned that if this standard of referee is at the World Cup then I dread to think how many teams will finish matches with 10 men (or fewer). Match officials cannot be blamed for making genuine spur of the moment errors, but they can be blamed for spoiling matches by not demonstrating a modicum of common sense. Football watchers want to watch teams of 11 aside, and not match officials acting like jobsworths.

 

[Perth Bambi]

An incident like this happened a few years ago between Man Utd and Barcalona, when someone had a shot and (i think) Nicky Butt handled the ball on the lane. Barcalona did get the ball in the net from the rebound but the ref stopped the game sent Butt off and got a penalty (which i believe they scored), so this isn't the first time Barca have had to face a decision like this although last time obviously they got the best of both worlds.

 

[Guest]

Interesting game, although completely ruined by a terrible refereeing display. Some of the decisions he gave were baffling.

A shame for Arsenal that they couldn't hold the lead, but they looked knackered by the time Henry missed the chance for 2-0. Well done to Barca, just a shame the ref's incompetence tarnished the occaision.

 

[hexagon_sun]

Walking back to my car after the Doncaster defeat at Roots Hall I passed a bloke in an Arsenal shirt. He saw my scarf and asked if it had stayed one nil and I merely answered "yes" while thinking it was nice of him to ask how we got on. Once he'd passed me though, he said to his mate "good" and laughed. Now I've never had a problem with Arsenal before but on that day I vowed to delight in them getting dumped out of the Champions League, so I thoroughly enjoyed last night and to that ****ing plastic Gooner (whoever you are, wherever you are) - aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

If Henry thought Barcelona players dived like women, I cannot remeber them do dive all over the pitch, maybe 1 or 2 did, but they try to play football & Iam glad they won - I hate A***nal after watching Eboue dive like he got shot (for A***nal first goal), his roll over on the pitch after 70 minute like if he do want to be like women.

Its black armband days as Spurs should be playing in Champion League next season, which their young english players would benefit of picking up experince agasint the best of Europe & good for England national team.

I hope A***nal get Valencia or Inter Milan in 3rd Qf round next season & get knocked out!

 

[Bucks_blue]

Anyone had any jokes or 'funny' pictures about the game?

I've been sending wind up emails to the Gooners at work and want to keep going.... best part is I'm sending them from an annonymus email account so they don't know who it is!

Sad I know but helps past the time!

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (hexagon_sun @ May 18 2006,11:07)]Walking back to my car after the Doncaster defeat at Roots Hall I passed a bloke in an Arsenal shirt. He saw my scarf and asked if it had stayed one nil and I merely answered "yes" while thinking it was nice of him to ask how we got on. Once he'd passed me though, he said to his mate "good" and laughed. Now I've never had a problem with Arsenal before but on that day I vowed to delight in them getting dumped out of the Champions League, so I thoroughly enjoyed last night and to that ****ing plastic Gooner (whoever you are, wherever you are) - aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

That just goes to show how every club has it's glory supporting idiots. I know loads of Arsenal fans and a fair few of them always ask me how Southend got on and wish us all the best.

Oh, and it would be more of a loss if Spurs had got to the Champions League - they'd be out in the qualifiers!

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Murkey_Mouse @ May 18 2006,13:04)]I hope A***nal get Valencia or Inter Milan in 3rd Qf round next season & get knocked out!

Don't be silly. All three of Arsenal, Inter and Valencia will be seeded so won't meet each other at all.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Quote[/b] (Bucks_blue @ May 18 2006,13:22)]Anyone had any jokes or 'funny' pictures about the game?

I've been sending wind up emails to the Gooners at work and want to keep going.... best part is I'm sending them from an annonymus email account so they don't know who it is!

Sad I know but helps past the time!

What's red and white and goes 'beep beep beep'?

Arsenal's open-top bus reversing back in to the garage.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Quote[/b] ]Don't be silly. All three of Arsenal, Inter and Valencia will be seeded so won't meet each other at all.

If any club finish 4th, they get the harder draw, I bloody hope A***nal get a team from German, France or Spainsh etc. Who want to support a team without english players, has Theo (picked by england) got an French surename, he would be picked for A***nal first team.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Murkey_Mouse @ May 18 2006,13:52)]

Quote[/b] ]Don't be silly. All three of Arsenal, Inter and Valencia will be seeded so won't meet each other at all.

If any club finish 4th, they get the harder draw, I bloody hope A***nal get a team from German, France or Spainsh etc.  Who want to support a team without english players, has Theo (picked by england) got an French surename, he would be picked for A***nal first team.

I presume Murkey that if Southend were ever fortunate enough to reach the Champions League with a squad of foreigners you would want us to lose?

 

[Guest]

Perhaps, Murkey, If you researched your topic better you might have a valid point.

Whilst I do think that Arsenal does rely far too heavily on foreigners, last time I checked Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell were both English, as is Walcott (you mentioned him) and up-and-coming right back Kerrea Gilbert. They have been awfully plagued by injuries this year, and thus have had to play previously unknown squad players like Djourou and Flamini.

Your point on Walcott is interesting. If you were an Arsenal fan, would you rather they played Walcott or Henry, one of the best players in the world at the moment?

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (Bucks_blue @ May 18 2006,13:22)]Anyone had any jokes or 'funny' pictures about the game?

You are cordially invited to the....

ARSENAL F.C. END OF SEASON DINNER DANCE

Starter
Egg on Face
Seasoned Hash
Frogs legs (past their best)
Spanish Surprise (well beaten)


Main Course
Humble Pie
Chump Chops
French (has) Beans
Manager's Beef (not rare)
Catch of the Day - big lemon Sol (gutted)
NB: everything is imported, nothing is home grown.


Dessert
Sour Grapes (may be hard to swallow)
Fruitless Tarts
Raspberry Fools
Hard Cheese


Drinks
Bitter
Little Spirit
French Whine
Cabernet Empty 2006
Champagne - sorry none ordered
STRICTLY NO DOUBLES OR TREBLES

NB: drinks should be consumed from glasses as there will be no cups this year.


Guest Speakers
Sir Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho - "What it's like to win the European Cup"