bowldoubt

1. It’s a good three points for Arsenal

Swansea at home, was perhaps the kindest box-in-a-stocking that Arsenal could have hoped for after their behinds got paddled against Manchester United and the speed-shopping that followed the game. Arsene has stated time and again in the past that new players need a lot of time to settle in and that you cannot have multiple new personnel within the same team. Hence, the lineup that faced Swansea, represented compromises not just in selection, but principles as well. And I think many Gunners fans will gladly choose end-of-a-philosophy over end-of-an-era.

As it turned out, Arsenal were rather lucky to get away with a 1-0. If the goal they scored was lucky, the goal they didn’t concede was luckier. Yet, for the Arsenal cause, it should matter not. With an eight point deficit already conceded to current league-leaders, the biggest challenge over the next few months (yes months, not games) would be to just hang in there and not fall too much further behind. Domination, beautiful football and big scorelines be damned – for the moment. The most important objective was three points and the fact that the points were scored, should be the only relevant take-away from the game.

Having said that, I did feel, Arsenal’s struggles against Swansea were rather overstated by the ESPN Star analysts, in post-match discussions. Almost 60% posession, 87% pass accuracy and interestingly 82% headers won (stats via whoscored.com), are all stats that indicate a comfortable game for them, though their ability to translate their superiority into match-defining moments was poor. Even better for Arsenal was the fact that each of the new signings on display, seemed to have the potential of a positive impact for the long term. And so I expect, Arsenal to improve. It won’t necessarily happen in a week, but they should surely get better. Will that be enough or in time to keep them in the top 4 next May? I’m not Nostradamus but it’ll sure be a lot of fun to watch.

2. Two diving greats or two greats diving?

RT @anirbanblah Messi dives last min to cheat his way to a penalty.Booked.Ronaldo would be crucified if he tried that.Double standards

With time almost running out, and the score tied at 2-2, Messi in a substitute appearance, went down without contact in the box, looking for a penalty. It was a laughable attempt and he received a deserving yellow card. Later that evening, Ronaldo, too took a tumble, though the circumstances were a bit different. The game was tied at 1-1, it was early in the second-half, and there was in fact some contact that occured. That the contact happened outside the box and the resulting penalty awarded reflects poorly upon the refree is sort of irrrelevant to the point here. More relevant is the fact that normal people would probably not even notice the kind of contact Ronaldo felt, let alone end up on the ground after a mini-flight through the atmosphere.

It’s never possible to have sympathy for divers, but clearly it is a regular occurence in the game. I will not judge whether Ronaldo is a bigger cheat than Messi or vice-versa. After all if Ronaldo dives, didn’t Messi do that as well and did he not punch a ball into goal a few seasons ago? The difference really is in choosing the right moments. It took a moment of desperation for Messi to execute his least perfected skill. Ronaldo often does it with so little cause that it seems more like something he enjoys doing than something he thinks will win him a game.

And for me, that is the key difference between two footballers. Whatever one can do the other can do as well. Where I think Messi is far ahead of Ronaldo, is in decision making and choosing the right moments to execute certain skills. Even if that skill is the despicable dive.

3. Pool’s away blues a little more musical

Two wins out of the first four games is not necessarily the best of starts. After a $150 mill plus spending spree, it is perhaps even a little disappointing. But throw that out of the window and it is difficult not to get excited by Liverpool ’11-’12, especially if you have followed them closely over the last 7-8 years. And this, in spite of losing away to Stoke at the weekend, in these times of short memories, a sure sign to consign their revival to the bins till at least the next fixture.

For most of Houllier, Rafa and Hodgson eras, Liverpool managed to stay in the mix with the big boys, even taking a big scalp or two, while all the while looking like a character actor in the company of glamorous good-looking stars. Barring a six month spell under Rafa, when Gerrard played behind Torres while Xavi Alonso conducted the proceedings from the centre of the pitch, it has been difficult to really enjoy Liverpool’s approach to football in recent years.

Not any more though, not just now. Charlie Adams has come in and is using the centre of the field as a well-settled batsman does in cricket. His passes neatly placed and accurately timed, would create a graphic which would be similar to that of a classy bastman who likes playing straight. For me, he has been the biggest joy-bearer in Liverpool’s early performances this season, even more than the busy, entertaining and impactful efforts of Luis Suarez. Downing, at best an unpredictable and over-hyped winger before, has thrived in the company of better team mates, switching flanks, cutting in and even occasionally finding the by-line. It would have been exciting to have two good natural wingers in action together, but as it is, the one wide man lop-sided formation is interesting, fun and different all at the same time.

Things may still change. Such is the dependence on certain key players, that the style of play may get significantly affected by just an injury or two and even Gerrard’s return may create a selection issue they could do without at this moment. However, why be pessimistic when there is so much to enjoy at the moment? For now, they are rocking and may that continue for some time.

4.  A red card and a goal

RT @Zonal_Marking Seems like Busquets wasn’t booked in the end. But he should have been, and not sent off – http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/nov/13/you-are-the-ref-gomes#

I am not sure I agree, and I don’t even care what the rule book says or how the experts interpret it. As far as I am concerned, this should have been a goal AND a red card.

While it is true that the handball did not prevent a goal-scoring opportunity since the goal was scored eventually, I have two major issues with the red card not being awarded to Busquets:

• When he did punch the ball, he did not know that Sociedad would score anyway
• A red card significantly impacts the game not just at the moment of the foul but for the remainder of the game itself by giving the other team numerical advantage

So a handball that looks to prevent a goal has occured and would have led to a red card (and a penalty) if the goal had not been scored, should in my opinion have stayed a red card. A penalty is not applicable since the move is active (advantage played) but is it not unfair to Sociedad that they continue to play against eleven just becuase they chose to score? Why should what followed a foul be relevant to the punishment? Will a two-footed tackle lead to a read card only depending on the extent of injury caused?