Replay’s: G4’s View

Let me offer a perspective here: of course, everyone will agree, it is not only Arsenal.

Yes, we’ve been in the midst of things the last few games, but there has been other teams in the league who have been damaged/punished as well. This ‘marginal human error’ thing (for the refs and linos that is), was invented and is mainly utilized to protect the big clubs. Occasionally, the odd club from the ‘big ones’ gets a couple of decision against them (that is where the ‘pick on the foreign cheaters from Arsenal’ comes into play), just so the ref can have an alibi for the next 20 decisions he takes against the small clubs.

In the past EPL seasons, and my memory vaguely takes me back to the cases of Barnsley, through Bradford, Wolves, Crystal Palace etc. have all been victims of the big ones getting protection from the refs, dodgy decisions, ‘dubious’ penalties, the odd marginal offside… that led to a goal. That is why I sometimes understand the desire of these teams and their management to turn a game into a scrappy affair, to prevent the ‘big side’ from playing football, kick, pinch, spit, provoke the opposition because that might be the only way to get something out of it. Unfortunately.

The 2nd argument is a simple one that I never could understand. Why in the world is video evidence used to punish players/managers EXCLUSIVELY? Why not refs? Why not use the video technology when a spud hits the ball from 40 yards behind the goal line of one Roy Caroll or when Emerton clearly clatters and pulls Fred Ljungberg in the penalty box?

Let me address the ridiculous stalling of the game excuse by offering an example that is the NHL, the American hockey league, which is probably THE MOST dynamic sport in the world, and where video technology is used to benefit the game: goals, expulsions, suspicious situations and the flow of the game is never under question.

Video technology should not be a question of yes or no; it should be a question of when and to what extent.

The 2nd measure that would lift the mask off of pretenders such as Mourinho, Chelsea, the Mancs etc is the introduction of the SALARY CAP. Only with a salary cap would football reveal its honest quality side: who is a good manager, who is a big-time player, and who deserves to get paid serious money. I think that Cashley`s, Carrick`s and Jose`s of this world would show their true ‘quality’ and value. And last but not least, none of these measures would help the Sp*rs. They would be miserable as usual.


Article submitted by G4.


Articles submitted by Vital Arsenal members are based on the opinion of the member and not necessarily the view’s of the network itself.