Arsenal v Chelsea

[JJH]

Arsenal are so much easier to break down and create chances against than Chelsea - they defend in a compact unit.

Can't see Arsenal creating many chances this game, and when they do - they're gonna have to hit the back of the net.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Really enjoyed this so far. Both teams have had a clear penalty shout denied. Arsenal have pressed more (as you'd expect) but the best chance fell to Rameirez. Can see one goal winning this.

 

[SC49]

This one is not a pen. His hand was in a "natural" position.

lmao you're such a dumbass

How many times did Hazard touch the ball in the first half?

 

[Steady]

The only penalty that should have been given was Ospina smashing into Oscar. For some reason though, they never seem to be given after the attacker gets his shot away, regardless of the end result.

The Cahill 'handball' typifies why the rule is so stupid. His hand was in a completely natural position. Who the fuck dives to ground with their hands by their side? It's stupid, and it wasn't a deliberate handball.

 

[Renegade]

Oliver is shocking. How is he rated so highly?

Because he had one good game in the FA Cup, United vs Arsenal.

Terrible referee.

 

[mistermagic]

The only penalty that should have been given was Ospina smashing into Oscar. For some reason though, they never seem to be given after the attacker gets his shot away, regardless of the end result.

If I were a ref, I would never give those. I know, I know good thing I'm not a ref and all that lark but to me the ball is gone. Oscar's intention was to lob Ospina (which he did) what happens afterwards is completely irrelevant.

 

[Steady]

If I were a ref, I would never give those. I know, I know good thing I'm not a ref and all that lark but to me the ball is gone. Oscar's intention was to lob Ospina (which he did) what happens afterwards is completely irrelevant.

Why is it irrelevant? If Ospina punches Oscar in the face but only after he gets his shot away, is that a penalty? It's a bit of an extreme example, but the same principle. A foul is a foul, and anywhere else on the pitch that would be given as a free-kick. It's a foul by a defending player in their penalty area; it's a penalty.

 

[mistermagic]

Why is it irrelevant? If Ospina punches Oscar in the face but only after he gets his shot away, is that a penalty? It's a bit of an extreme example, but the same principle. A foul is a foul, and anywhere else on the pitch that would be given as a free-kick. It's a foul by a defending player in their penalty area; it's a penalty.

Yeah, I'm a bit old school on that too in that I think centre circle fouls (bit of a rough challenge here and there) and fouls that bring penalties (the Cazorla foul on Fabregas) should be in their own category. If they're not, it just invites diving as soon as you enter the area. And we don't want that now do we?

 

[Renegade]

A foul is a foul.

As blatant a penalty as you'll see for Chelsea.

 

[mistermagic]

A foul is a foul.

As blatant a penalty as you'll see for Chelsea.

Yeah that's to the extreme but in theory I wouldn't give a pen on that. Actually, I wouldn't know what to do.
Good thing I'm not a ref eh.

 

[BlueBee]

Should have had 2 pens. The Cahill handball was never a pen and anyone who says it was is wrong. WRONG.

 

[G-Dragon]

The only penalty that should have been given was Ospina smashing into Oscar. For some reason though, they never seem to be given after the attacker gets his shot away, regardless of the end result.

The Cahill 'handball' typifies why the rule is so stupid. His hand was in a completely natural position. Who the fuck dives to ground with their hands by their side? It's stupid, and it wasn't a deliberate handball.

But...but we are a "dumbass" according to Arsenal fans.

 

[thespus]

Out of curiosity re: Steady's logic, why was that called for handball on Ozil in midfield? His arm was in as natural of a position as Cahill's (if not moreso). If we're playing a foul is a foul, the Cahill arm block is handball and a penalty.

I think both that and the Ospina incident were penalties. The term "natural" is nonsensical and far too much of a variable to be used in a definitive law of the game. Cahill's arm was raising above his head; he knows what he's doing.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Thought that was going to be a red there.

 

[thespus]

Willian channeling the Diaby kick.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Willian channeling the Diaby kick.

Is he still at Arsenal?

 

[G-Dragon]

Out of curiosity re: Steady's logic, why was that called for handball on Ozil in midfield? His arm was in as natural of a position as Cahill's (if not moreso). If we're playing a foul is a foul, the Cahill arm block is handball and a penalty.

I think both that and the Ospina incident were penalties. The term "natural" is nonsensical and far too much of a variable to be used in a definitive law of the game. Cahill's arm was raising above his head; he knows what he's doing.

The Ozil one should not have been a handball either. Only Ospina incident is penalty.

 

[Steady]

Out of curiosity re: Steady's logic, why was that called for handball on Ozil in midfield? His arm was in as natural of a position as Cahill's (if not moreso). If we're playing a foul is a foul, the Cahill arm block is handball and a penalty.

I think both that and the Ospina incident were penalties. The term "natural" is nonsensical and far too much of a variable to be used in a definitive law of the game. Cahill's arm was raising above his head; he knows what he's doing.

Didn't see the Ozil incident, but agree that there has to be consistency. However, it should favour the fact that anyone diving to the ground doesn't dive with their hands by their sides, you dive with little control over where your hands go. It's not a deliberate handball, and if the Ozil one was similar, nor was that. The only mistake Oliver has made in this instance is giving a free-kick against Ozil, not refusing to give one against Cahill.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Wenger is a clown. Anyone can see that someones needs to hug the touchline to stretch Chelsea but he still lets them all funnel into bodies in the middle.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

How is that a foul on the keeper? It winds me up how much protection the keepers get.

 

[Jarv]

That was never a foul on Courtois He just dropped the ball and landed funny

 

[Master D]

Goalies can honestly do whatever they like on a pitch. Courtois comes climbing over everyone then clatters into Giroud and hurts himself, ref gives free kick.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

The officials have made some really strange decisions today.

 

[JJH]

I remember last time this exact fixture was on I really looked forward to it - and that finished 0-0.

I've learnt now - what a bore.

 

[Master D]

All this shitfest needs now is the Mikel sub on around 90 mins, followed by Zouma in the 92nd.

 

[JJH]

How did that not go in?!

 

[SC49]

Chelsea boring us all to death as usual.

John Terry MOTM.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

So, 0-0. Probably about fair. Most of the pressing from Arsenal but they rarely tested Chelsea.

 

[Master D]

Those celebrations.

 

[Jarv]

WOW i've never seen a side celebrate a 0-0 in the prem like that before