Henry slams Vermaelen and Rosicky; It’s an absolute disgrace
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ARSENAL VS WOLVERHAMPTON
- 3rd April 2010
- Live @ Starhub Football Channel 27
- 10pm
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FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
31 Mar (Champions League) v Barcelona (H) DREW 2-2
27 Mar (Premier League) v Birmingham City (A) DREW 1-1
20 Mar (Premier League) v West Ham United (H) WON 2-0
13 Mar (Premier League) v Hull City (A) WON 2-1
9 Mar (Champions League) v Porto (H) WON 5-0
6 Mar (Premier League) v Burnley (H) WON 3-1
Wolves
27 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) DREW 0-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v West Ham United (A) WON 3-1
20 Mar (Premier League) v Aston Villa (A) DREW 2-2
13 Mar (Premier League) v Burnley (A) WON 2-1
6 Mar (Premier League) v Man United (H) LOST 0-1
27 Feb (Premier League) v Bolton Wanderers (A) WON 1-0
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas (fractured fibula), William Gallas (calf strain) and Andrey Arshavin (torn calf) have joined long-term injury victims Robin van Persie (whose lengthy recovery from serious ankle ligament damage continues, though he could return in a few weeks), Aaron Ramsey (double leg fracture), Kieran Gibbs (broken metatarsal) and Johan Djourou (knee surgery) on the sidelines.
But Gael Clichy (back) and midfielder Denilson (groin), also injured in midweek, have passed late fitness tests.
Sol Campbell could replace Gallas in central defence alongside Thomas Vermaelen, who is available again after serving a one-match ban last week.
Further forward, Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby will shoulder the creative burden in the absence of Fabregas, while Theo Walcott will hope to return to the starting line-up in place of Arshavin after impressing when he came off the bench against Barcelona.
Last starting XI (v Barcelona): Almunia, Sagna (Walcott 66), Vermaelen, Gallas (Denilson 44), Clichy, Diaby, Fabregas, Nasri, Song, Arshavin (Eboue 27), Bendtner. Subs not used: Fabianski, Campbell, Rosicky, Eduardo.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy is without striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who has a virus, so Sam Vokes is expected to take his place on the substitutes' bench.
Michael Kightly is still sidelined with ankle and knee problems. Otherwise, McCarthy has no new injury problems to deal with, and is therefore likely to name the side that drew with Everton last week.
Last starting XI (v Everton): Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi, Foley, Mancienne (Guedioura 70), Henry, David Jones, Jarvis (Ward 90), Doyle (Iwelumo 90). Subs not used: Hennessey, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Milijas.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
Theo Walcott has had a frustrating, stop-start season because of a succession of injuries, but has recently appeared to be getting back to his best, albeit mostly deployed as an impact substitute when his pace can terrorise tiring defenders.
That was demonstrated again against Barcelona, when his introduction proved to be a turning point. He may get to start against Wolves, and another goal like the one that beat Victor Valdes would be a welcome boost for the hosts.
Wolves
Irish striker Kevin Doyle has been in impressive form, leading the line for McCarthy's side with intelligence, strength and commendable perseverance.
He has not been a prolific scorer (seven goals this season, all of them in the league), but he set the team on their way with an excellent opener against West Ham recently, and his current form should give him all the confidence he needs to stretch a less than watertight Arsenal defence.
PREDICTION
A game that a few weeks ago looked like a safe bet for a home win has suddenly become a much sterner test because of Arsenal's injury pile-up and Wolves' fine run of form. Wolves can enter the arena as relaxed but buoyant underdogs, while Arsenal know they cannot afford the slightest slip after dropping two points last week.
The Midlands side will not be able to emulate Barcelona's mesmeric passing, but they may well attempt to match the Catalans' impressive closing down of their opponents in the first half last Wednesday.
All in all, it is building up to be another potentially jittery afternoon for Arsenal. An early goal or two would settle home nerves nicely; scoring them is the challenge facing Wenger's men.
Arsenal 3-1 Wolves -
Arsenal 1 Wolves 0
Nicklas Bendtner came off the bench to head a dramatic stoppage-time winner and keep Arsenal's Barclays Premier League title dreams alive with a narrow win over 10-man Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners - outplayed by Barcelona for large spells at home on Tuesday night - made seven changes to their starting XI as manager Arsene Wenger clearly had one eye on next week's Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp.
However, despite dominating the home side could not find a breakthrough until deep into five minutes of stoppage time.
Wolves defended bravely and overcame the sending off of captain Karl Henry for a late challenge on Tomas Rosicky only to be denied when Bendtner headed in what could prove to be the young Dane's most vital strike yet.
Bendtner also netted a last-gasp strike as the Gunners defeated Hull last month.
The victory keeps Arsenal on the coat tails of Chelsea and Manchester United with five games remaining.
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Sol Campbell could replace Gallas in central defence alongside Thomas Vermaelen, who is available again after serving a one-match ban last week.
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i think wenger will play song at center back instead.
it'll be another good match when arsenal meet barce again.
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Hais, next time better not watch Arsenal play liao.
Fated that everytime I watch = stoppage time score.
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Arsenal 1 Wolves 0: Disgrace! Red carded Karl Henry slams Thomas Vermaelen and Tomas Rosicky
Arsenal players accused of ganging up on referee in red card storm
• Gunners crowd referee, claims dismissed Wolves captain
• Arsenal players said to 'roll around getting people sent off'
Flashpoint: Thomas Vermaelen pushes Karl Henry
Just four days after their artful struggle against Barcelona and Arsenal were accused of spoiling their beautiful football with play-acting, moaning and intimidation.
The case was made by Wolves captain Karl Henry, harshly sent off at the Emirates and who fingered Tomas Rosicky and Thomas Vermaelen for conning referee Andre
Marriner into the red card.Even Arsene Wenger admitted his players over-reacted to the challenge which sent
Rosicky into an exaggerated roll, and the FA will await Marriner’s report before deciding whether to charge the Gunners with intimidation.‘It’s a disgrace, an absolute disgrace,’ said an angry Henry. ‘I’ve nicked the ball and Vermaelen has come flying in and whoever else trying to get me sent off. It’s not nice to see.
‘They play good football here and they’re a great side. We love Arsenal’s great football but when they’re rolling around, getting people sent off, it makes you not want to see them do so well. Two minutes later, he’s up, running around and absolutely fine.‘That’s what they do here. I don’t think it’s pretty and it’s not good. Their players moan when they get tackled, when they get hit hard, and so does Arsene Wenger. It’s part of the game.
Show of support: Mick McCarthy (right) had sympathy for his player
‘Here in particular, Arsenal moan a lot. Their players go down like a sack of spuds. They get hit hard like other clubs do and we’re hearing about it for weeks and weeks. To get sent off is a disgrace.’
Henry plans to appeal against the dismissal, which carries a three-match ban but could be extended if his appeal is considered frivolous.
‘It’s sad to see you can’t tackle any more,’ said the 27-year-old. ‘I grew up watching some of the older games and I’ve seen tackles flying in. Today it seems you can’t make contact with anybody.
‘I can understand how he gives a foul. But I’ve seen it again and I nick the ball. It was never a red card.’
Wenger did not condone the reaction of his players but offered the horrific injuries suffered by Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey in explanation.
‘There is still a trauma in the team,’ said the Arsenal manager. ‘But we have to be careful with surrounding the referee. We do not want that.’
Relief: Wenger admitted his players over-reacted to the challenge which sent Rosicky into an exaggerated roll
Wenger’s crusade against what he considers a specific tactic to kick his players has generated a mob mentality at the Emirates, where the home crowd bay for red cards whenever their heroes are tackled aggressively.
The fury was turned on Wolves boss Mick McCarthy as he applauded Henry off and put an arm around his captain.
‘I felt bad for Karl,’ said McCarthy. ‘I ushered him off and congratulated him on his performance. The fans may have thought I was congratulating him on kicking one of their players but I don’t advocate that. I don’t ask anyone to kick anyone.
‘I became the pantomime villain. They’ve come here, they’ve won and they boo me off. Am I bothered? I’m bothered we lost. They booed me off because my team actually gave them a fright.’
Precious points: Nicklas Bendtner shatters 10-man Wolves
Wolves went within seconds of killing Arsenal’s title hopes. The visitors could have been four down inside 20 minutes, but rode their luck, grafted and grew in confidence before substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed another added-time winner — the Gunners’ third in their last six league games — from Bacary Sagna’s cross.
‘We kept composed and didn’t hoof the ball,’ said Bendtner. ‘Wolves like to take three minutes every time they have a throw-in or a goal-kick and it’s frustrating.
‘They wasted a lot of time and there was a lot added on. We got what we deserved in the end, which was a victory.’
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i think it is a red card. no doubt about that.
this tacle is challenge from behind and at high speed. if you had no attempt totake someone out why make the challenge if rosicky is just pass the ball way outside the penalty box.
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Reading the current thread title, i thought it's Thierry Henry who slams his former team mates.
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Originally posted by Cristiano@Red_Devils.com:
Reading the current thread title, i thought it's Thierry Henry who slams his former team mates.
x2