France played Spain yesterday, not Bardabos. Spain didn't park the bus or low block, they controlled the game efficiently with midfield play and defensive organization.
Barcola didn't face a low block, he faced tactical superiority. Along with the other forward players (including goal machine Mbappe), they did nothing for 90mins. This game shouldn't be used to beat him like he can't perform against low blocks or park the bus teams and therefore he can't hack it in the PL.
There's no team (among the lower tiers likely to low block) in the EPL that has the ability and tactical nous to play a game like Spain did yesterday.
If anything I'm more concerned that how we set up (esp with Arteta on the wheels) will nullify Barcola more than how opposition will set up against him. But let's watch and see what eventually happens.
I know it's the rules, but it's one that needs to be modified, and I've hated it for years.
A player is in the motion of kicking the ball. He's foot isn’t necessarily at a dangerous height. His kicking foot has left (or is about to leave) the ground.
The opposing player (a.k.a. slimy, cheating skunk) deliberately INSERTS himself (leg, thigh, dick whatever) into the space and (deservedly) gets whacked and voila, it's a pen! Makes no difference (like with Yamal) if he had zero chance of getting the ball. We all saw what he did. There was no intent to play the ball. All he did was insert himself within the shooting arc of Digne's left foot. For me, it's almost like taking a dive to win the pen.
Pedro, surely your take on the penalty is designed to get engagement… Digne doesn’t kick through Lamal while clearing the ball. Lamal gets to the ball first and Digne just kicks him. It’s as clear a penalty as you’ll ever see.
Not particularly interested in transfer sagas at the mo'. What will be will be. Particularly as we've 'broken' some of our best players over the past 4-years, God knows who we need to replace or back-up.
I am interested in our injured players. Pedro, I think you're placing too much responsibility on the players.
Elite players will always want to play through pain. The bigger question is whether the medical and performance team should be allowing it. Or did they? We may never know. They've gone. A new team in.
With the changes to Arsenal's medical department, recurring injuries, failed returns and players breaking down again and again, surely it's time to ask whether there's a wider systemic issue rather than simply concluding the players are "warriors" whose bodies are sending the invoice.
Oh we did. We got a new team in.
Saliba's situation isn't just about him playing through pain. It's about whether the right decisions were made to protect him in the first place.
Na Pedro it’s a penalty all day. Doesn’t win the ball and kicks the player the most obvious one of the tournament.
Big bill finally out. Was always on the cards and agree, Declan will be next. I just don’t want the club spunking a kings ransom on someone like konsa, don’t rate him at all. I’d just get stones on a free. Knows the league and can play our football, plus Teta knows him.
As for the other targets, I’m getting end of days Wenger vibes. We’ve stuttered about, leaning on scumbags like Kia and we’re going to miss out on all of our top targets. Tbh they’re all stupid targets IMO. Newcastle aren’t selling Bruno cheap after tonali left so he’s a stupid target. Kia’s used it to get him a new deal. Seen this from the start. Rogers has a six year deal, Villa aren’t going to sell, stupid target. Alvarez wants Barca and he’s 150mill, another stupid target. Feels like the cech summer atm
Wait! Pedro, how’s that not a foul? We put on our sentiment once it involves a team we don’t like, eh! Rules are rules. Lamine knew the rules and used it to suit him!
Btw, what’s the difference between this foul and that which was committed on Madueke against Croatia which was also given as a pen?? See!! White and off-white.
Deep inside me, I'd love to see a Spain Vs England final, but something tells me it's Spain Vs Messi. I really don't know...
I know the word (media) has already won the semi final match against Argentina for England, but I learned again last night that football matches are actually decided on the pitch and not media platforms.
I hope England produce the winning character that has eluded them since before I was born.
Great post Pedro and exactly what I've been arguing on my recent posts. This might have to be a gap year if we truly care about the welfare of our leading players. It doesn't mean we throw next season away but we should do everything possible to take care of our key players in their recovery and not to stupidly overspend on overvalued transfer targets.
France played Spain yesterday, not Bardabos. Spain didn't park the bus or low block, they controlled the game efficiently with midfield play and defensive organization.
Barcola didn't face a low block, he faced tactical superiority. Along with the other forward players (including goal machine Mbappe), they did nothing for 90mins. This game shouldn't be used to beat him like he can't perform against low blocks or park the bus teams and therefore he can't hack it in the PL.
There's no team (among the lower tiers likely to low block) in the EPL that has the ability and tactical nous to play a game like Spain did yesterday.
If anything I'm more concerned that how we set up (esp with Arteta on the wheels) will nullify Barcola more than how opposition will set up against him. But let's watch and see what eventually happens.
I'd currently say Argentina are more hated than the English team.
Spain did what Arsenal did to people.Control, control, control. Saliba knew it and saored himself the agony.
France couldn't lay a finger on Rodri - sinful on their part and he punished them. Man dominated that midfield together with Ruiz.
I know it's the rules, but it's one that needs to be modified, and I've hated it for years.
A player is in the motion of kicking the ball. He's foot isn’t necessarily at a dangerous height. His kicking foot has left (or is about to leave) the ground.
The opposing player (a.k.a. slimy, cheating skunk) deliberately INSERTS himself (leg, thigh, dick whatever) into the space and (deservedly) gets whacked and voila, it's a pen! Makes no difference (like with Yamal) if he had zero chance of getting the ball. We all saw what he did. There was no intent to play the ball. All he did was insert himself within the shooting arc of Digne's left foot. For me, it's almost like taking a dive to win the pen.
I agree 100% with your analysis
Pedro, surely your take on the penalty is designed to get engagement… Digne doesn’t kick through Lamal while clearing the ball. Lamal gets to the ball first and Digne just kicks him. It’s as clear a penalty as you’ll ever see.
Yamal didn't actually "get" the ball did he?
Thank you Pedro. Whether it’s the technical right call or not these are BS penalties - both maduekes and yamals. Highly annoying to see.
Not particularly interested in transfer sagas at the mo'. What will be will be. Particularly as we've 'broken' some of our best players over the past 4-years, God knows who we need to replace or back-up.
I am interested in our injured players. Pedro, I think you're placing too much responsibility on the players.
Elite players will always want to play through pain. The bigger question is whether the medical and performance team should be allowing it. Or did they? We may never know. They've gone. A new team in.
With the changes to Arsenal's medical department, recurring injuries, failed returns and players breaking down again and again, surely it's time to ask whether there's a wider systemic issue rather than simply concluding the players are "warriors" whose bodies are sending the invoice.
Oh we did. We got a new team in.
Saliba's situation isn't just about him playing through pain. It's about whether the right decisions were made to protect him in the first place.
New team in. Watching this space.
Na Pedro it’s a penalty all day. Doesn’t win the ball and kicks the player the most obvious one of the tournament.
Big bill finally out. Was always on the cards and agree, Declan will be next. I just don’t want the club spunking a kings ransom on someone like konsa, don’t rate him at all. I’d just get stones on a free. Knows the league and can play our football, plus Teta knows him.
As for the other targets, I’m getting end of days Wenger vibes. We’ve stuttered about, leaning on scumbags like Kia and we’re going to miss out on all of our top targets. Tbh they’re all stupid targets IMO. Newcastle aren’t selling Bruno cheap after tonali left so he’s a stupid target. Kia’s used it to get him a new deal. Seen this from the start. Rogers has a six year deal, Villa aren’t going to sell, stupid target. Alvarez wants Barca and he’s 150mill, another stupid target. Feels like the cech summer atm
Wait! Pedro, how’s that not a foul? We put on our sentiment once it involves a team we don’t like, eh! Rules are rules. Lamine knew the rules and used it to suit him!
Btw, what’s the difference between this foul and that which was committed on Madueke against Croatia which was also given as a pen?? See!! White and off-white.
Deep inside me, I'd love to see a Spain Vs England final, but something tells me it's Spain Vs Messi. I really don't know...
I know the word (media) has already won the semi final match against Argentina for England, but I learned again last night that football matches are actually decided on the pitch and not media platforms.
I hope England produce the winning character that has eluded them since before I was born.
Read somewhere Mavropanos is of interest to Arteta
Great post Pedro and exactly what I've been arguing on my recent posts. This might have to be a gap year if we truly care about the welfare of our leading players. It doesn't mean we throw next season away but we should do everything possible to take care of our key players in their recovery and not to stupidly overspend on overvalued transfer targets.