Ref Review : Arsenal – Watford, a game of two halves…

By Usama & Walter

ARSENAL vs. WATFORD

COMPETITION: English Premier League

MATCH NO. 31

DATE: 2nd April 2016

VENUE: Emirates Stadium (London, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor
1st LINESMAN: Harry Lennard
2nd LINESMAN: Peter Kirkup
4th OFFICIAL: Andre Marriner

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
08:56 Almen Abdi (Watford) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Abdi pushed Monreal in the back while Monreal was challenging for the header inside the Arsenal’s half. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)
09:44 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Mario Suarez (Watford) Slight pull of arms from behind by El Nenny on Suarez inside the Watford’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.

1 (FOUL)
15:12 Etienne Capoue (Watford) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Capoue tripped El Nenny inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
16:06 Sebastian Prodl (Watford) Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Welbeck was going forward in the Watford’s penalty box to receive the pass when Prodl pushed Welbeck in the back from behind. This should have been a penalty for Arsenal but was not given.

NO PENALTY FOR ARSENAL.

-3 (PENALTY)
18:08 Etienne Capoue (Watford) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Capoue pushed Iwobi from the side inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
22:08 Allan Nyom (Watford) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Just after Ozil passed the ball inside the Watford’s half he pushed in the chest by Nyom.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
27:03 Almen Abdi (Watford)

 

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Just as Coquelin passed the ball he was pushed and tripped by Abdi inside the Watford’s half. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.                                         

-1 (FOUL)
34:56 Almen Abdi (Watford)

 

Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Koscienly had intercepted the ball inside the Arsenal’s half when Abdi made a late scissors like tackle from behind and brought down Koscienly. The referee correctly gave a foul.

 

But this also should have been a yellow card against Abdi for committing a reckless foul, but no cards were given.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST ABDI.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

36:35 Odion Ighalo (Watford) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Ighalo pulled Koscienly’s shirt slightly and tripped from behind while chasing the ball inside the Watford’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
45:03 Almen Abdi (Watford) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Abdi pushed Monreal in the back while Monreal was running forward with the ball inside the Watford’s half. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

46:09 Ben Watson (Watford) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Just as Iwobi passed the ball he was tripped by Watson inside the Watford’s half. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.                                         

-1 (FOUL)
   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 5

Number of Correct Fouls for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 6 [6 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 4

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 4 [4 points]

 

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Watford – 0

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 0

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 1 [2 points]

 

Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Penalties for Watford – 0

Total Number of Correct Penalties – 0

 

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 1 [3 points]

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
27:31 Odion Ighalo (Watford) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Ighalo was in an onside position. Assistant Ref Peter Kirkup made the wrong call.

WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST WATFORD.

-1 (OFFSIDE)
38:51 Troy Deeney (Watford) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Deeney was in an onside position. Assistant Ref Peter Kirkup made the wrong call.

WRONG OFFSIDE AGAINST WATFORD.

-1 (OFFSIDE)
42:44 Troy Deeney (Watford) Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Deeney was in an offside position. Assistant Ref Peter Kirkup made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
   
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Offsides for Watford – 0

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 1 [1 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Watford – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
03:57 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
37:10 Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Goals for Watford – 0

Total Number of Correct Goals – 2 [6 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
28:56 Throw-in Mario Suarez (Watford) The ball last came off Suarez not El Nenny.

WRONG THROW-IN AGAINST ARSENAL.

Number of Incorrect Throw-ins against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Throw-ins against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Throw-ins – 1 [1 points]

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points
   

First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 5+1+2 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 8 + 1 = 9

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 5+1+6 = 12

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 12 + 1 = 13

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 4+1+1+1 = 7

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Watford – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 7 + 2 = 9

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 4+2+3+1 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Watford – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 10 + 2 = 12

 

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 9/(9+9) = 50.0%

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  13/(13+12) = 52.0%

 

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
50:45 Mario Suarez (Watford) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Suarez obstructed Coquelin by pushing him back inside the center of the field.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
52:52 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Nordin Amrabat (Watford) Amrabat was in control of the ball when inside the Watford’s half when Bellerin grabbed him from using both of his hands in a bear hug manner and kept pulling for at least 5 seconds. Watford gained possession and the referee correctly played an advantage.

 

But this also should have been a yellow card against Bellerin for deliberately preventing the opponent from gaining possession of the ball but no cards were given.

 

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR WATFORD.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST BELLERIN.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

55:17 Lauren Koscienly (Arsenal) Nordin Amrabat (Watford) Koscienly pushed Amrabat in the back inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.

1 (FOUL)
60:22 Allan Nyom (Watford) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Nyom came charging in from behind made a very reckless swipe kick on Ozil. This was a clear act of reckless conduct by Nyom.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST NYOM.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

62:07 Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Allan Nyom (Watford) Monreal made slight contact on Nyom who was running and tripped him.

CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.

1 (FOUL)
64:00 Mario Suarez (Watford) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Slight trip by Suarez on Ozil in the center of the field.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

77:52 Mario Suarez (Watford) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Suarez tripped late on Mohamed El Nenny inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
81:02 Lauren Koscienly (Arsenal) Nordin Amrabat (Watford) Koscienly pushed Amrabat in the back inside the Arsenal’s half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.

1 (FOUL)
81:23 Nordin Amrabat (Watford) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Amrabat kicked the ball towards the corner area inside the Arsenal’s half and dashed towards it when Monreal blocked Amrabat with the ball not in touching distance. This should have been a foul for Watford but instead the referee gave wrong a foul against Watford.

WRONG FOUL AGAINST WATFORD.

NO FOUL FOR WATFORD.

-1 (FOUL)

-1 (FOUL)

83:37 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Nordin Amrabat (Watford) Amrabat was on the counter attack and El Nenny came charging in from behind and pushed and pulled Amrabat at the same time. This was a clear attack breaking foul by El Nenny.

CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST EL NENNY.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

88:09 Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Ikechi Anya (Watford) Anya was chasing the ball going out towards the corner area inside the Arsenal’s half when Monreal made a late sliding tackle from behind and brought down Anya without getting the ball. The referee correctly gave a foul.
But this also should have been a yellow card against Monreal committing a late tackle from behind but no cards were given.CORRECT FOUL FOR WATFORD.NO YELLOW CARD AGAISNT MONREAL.
1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

91:33 Troy Deeney (Watford) Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Deeney slightly clipped El Nenny on the foot while chasing. Arsenal maintained possession.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Fouls for Watford – 5

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 9 [9 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Watford – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 2 [2 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Advantages for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 2 [2 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 2 [4 points]

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Watford – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 2 [4 points]

 

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
67:41 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sebastian Prodl (Watford) No replay shown. Assumed correct. Assistant Ref Peter Kirkup made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR WATFORD.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Offsides for Watford – 1

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 1 [1 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
47:42 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
89:22 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Goals for Watford – 0

Total Number of Correct Goals – 2 [6 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Watford – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
 

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points
   

Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4+1+1+2 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Watford – 5+1+1+1 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 8 + 8 = 16

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4+1+2+6 = 13

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Watford – 5+1+2+1 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 13 + 9 = 22

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Watford – 2+2 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 0 + 4 = 4

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Watford – 2+4 = 6

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 0 + 6 = 6

 

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 16/(16+4) = 80.0%

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  22/(22+6) = 78.5%

 

Full Time (1st Half + 2nd Half) Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 8+8 = 16

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Watford – 1+8 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 16 + 9 = 25

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 12+13 = 25

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Watford – 1+9 = 10

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 25 + 10 = 35

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 7+0 = 7

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Watford – 2+4 = 6

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 7 + 6 = 13

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 10+0 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Watford – 2+6 = 8

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 10 + 8 = 18

 

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 25/(25+13) = 65.7%

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) =  35/(35+18) = 66.0%

 

APPENDIX

Key Decisions in the Match Points
Advantage 1
Foul 1
Incorrect Corner 1
Incorrect Goal Kick 1
Incorrect Throw-in 1
Other (Ref Positioning, Injuries, Time Wasting, etc.) 1
Offside 1
Yellow Card 2
Red Card 3
Goal 3
Penalty 3

 

NOTE: FOR ANY WRONG DECISION MADE THERE WILL BE NEGATIVE POINTS AWARDED FOR THAT SPECIFIC KIND OF EVENT.

NOTE: ANY INCORRECT OR WRONG DECISION/NON-DECISION WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED WITH A RED COLOUR.

NOTE: ANY DECISION THAT INVOLVES DOUBT IS HIGHLIGHTED AS BLUE IN COLOR.

NOTE: The word ‘FOR’ is used to show IN FAVOR OF.

BELOW IS THE LINK FOR THE “FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME 2015/2016”. ANY LAW OF THE GAME IS DIRECTLY REFERENCED FROM THIS DOCUMENT.

Hey, ho… as I might have turned a bit cynical about refereeing standards and some referees in particular, this was a very interesting match to review. We know we haven’t been friends with Taylor for a while as he was called the new Dean at some moment in time. But this was a match in which we found both evidence of the fact that there might be something wrong but also a good example on when refs can become normal again.

Stay with me and I’ll explain

First half. The usual anti-Arsenal rubbish we get to see from referees. Ignoring fouls against Arsenal players is usually what we see and this was no different. Almen Abdi from Watford had a license to kill and could do no wrong. Multiple fouls from him ignored and one scissor tackle on Koscielny should have earned him a booking. But this was the Taylor we knew and expected.

Welbeck was clearly pushed in the back (one of the first things I saw live in the stadium…) by Prodl but no foul and penalty was given. Same as it ever was: Arsenal are not entitled to get penalties this season.

But we must mention the fact that Watford was called back twice by assistant Kirkup who it seems was trying to even things out from his previous mistakes against Arsenal this season. One time Ospina was first on the ball so it didn’t really matter, the other time there was still some work to do to make it really dangerous but it was nice from an Arsenal perspective to get a decision.

But all this lead to a first half score of  50.0% and 52.0% weighted. Again and not for the first time with Taylor very very poor. Strangely this is exactly the same score from our previous match. Bias score in the first half 7 wrong decisions against Arsenal and 2 against Watford on a total of 9 wrong decisions. The two wrong decisions against Watford were both result of assistant-referee errors. So one could say a bias against Arsenal from the ref himself of 100%.

Now with Arsenal going in the dressing room with a 2-0 advantage the ref changed in the second half. And even more so when Arsenal almost immediately scored a third goal that put the game completely out of reach for Watford. So suddenly the ref that was extremely biased against Arsenal in the first half didn’t see the need to continue as he did in the first half.

Now with Arsenal passing the ball around like a toy and keeping possession but staying mostly away from tackles there were only a handful of fouls in the second half. Watford tried to avoid a higher defeat and Arsenal tried to keep the ball. And Taylor had to make almost no calls and so very few errors. But the strange thing is that when he made errors it was usually in favour of Arsenal.

Bellerin should have got a yellow card for holding an opponent but didn’t get in the book. Monreal made an obstruction foul on Amrabat but got the decision in his favour, given by the assistant in fact. And Monreal should have gotten a yellow card when he kicked Anya from behind in the closing minutes of the match. No problem with the yellow card for Elneny as he was trying to stop a possible counter from Watford by holding the Watford player.

Both goals again good goals that had no breach of the rules.

The second half score was 80.0% and 78.5% weighted. Holy sh**. Was this really Taylor? A huge improvement. This is a very good score considering Anthony Taylor’s poor standards. He was consistent in making the calls for fouls.  And now the second half bias score (hold on make sure you sit before continue reading – okay?… here we go) 0 (that is a zero) wrong decisions against Arsenal. And 4 wrong decisions against Watford.

And this is where the cynical me comes in and ask the question: why this difference? In the first half a complete bias against Arsenal as we are used of Taylor. But when the match was played after 48 minutes… he realised it had no point in continuing in his usual way and operation cover up started. In fact this is how we have suggested match fixing can take place, theoretically. And this was a fine example. As long as the match is undecided you do your best to tilt the pitch but when you feel you cannot do anything, you revert to normal refereeing standards more or less.

So the overall score over 90 minutes was 65.7% and 66.0% weighted. Still well below average, but mostly thanks to the four goals we scored his percentage rose up out of the “disastrous” zone. The final bias score was for the first time since a long time almost normal! 13 wrong decisions. 7 against Arsenal and 6 against Watford over the whole 90 minutes. But as I said the bias swung from one end to the other depending on the half and the score in the match.

But a good thing was that there was only one major error. At minute 16:06 Prodl fouled Welbeck in the box, Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty. But well… Arsenal and penalties this season…..

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32 Replies to “Ref Review : Arsenal – Watford, a game of two halves…”

  1. Walter,

    As you say a textbook example of the sort of refereeing to expect should the ‘mythical type 3’ match fixing actually occur. For another example I would refer to Mike Dean a few years ago when he was in charge of our 5-2 win over Spurs. From dancing a jig on their second goal to being scrupulously fair in the latter stages. (Mind you, I think that was about the only time in recent seasons he was remotely fair).

  2. Here is a bizarre data:

    the last time Arsenal got a penalty at the Emirates, it was given by Anthony Taylor in a match Mrs Broeckx was our lucky charm for the first time (Aston Villa 5:0). That means we haven’t had a penalty at home for over a year.

  3. I just want give a news update.

    Firstly, the review for the game against West Ham will take more time than usual due to the high number of debatable incidents. Just to make sure the report is published in a well reasoned manner, it will take more time.

    Secondly, as most of you remember, I wrote at least a month back about planning to review nearly all the EPL 2015-16 games in the summer break, well I have to slightly back out on this one because of some reasons. 1. There has been a major rescheduling at my work place. 2. I might have to go back to my home country due to family reasons.

    But with the start of the new season I might be able execute this plan efficiently. I think this allow for more fans of other clubs to discuss and debate from their perspective on the refs and incidents in the game (As long as they comment in a reasonable manner unlike the aaa). Note: it is still a plan. Its no where near execution. Any ideas, tips, or improvements are welcomed.

  4. Josif,
    I think someone from the PGMO has hit the dislike button. Or is it because he dislikes us not getting a penalty for more than a year? LOL
    However you turn and twist this is completely ridiculous that we didn’t get a penalty for more than a year at home.

    But hey ho, nothing wrong with referees in the PL of course. Hush hush move on, nothing to see here…

  5. Usama, don’t worry about the changes in plans forced upon you.
    We will see what we can do in the future. If it works, fine. If not also fine.

  6. This is obviously a big issue on this site but it needs fleshing out. Either all the refs are rubbish or bent in which case it must be the same across the league and therefore its sort of irrelevant to whether we win or lose or there is a definite anti- Arsenal bias which is my sense of what the stats claim to show. If its the latter then what needs explaining is why the refs are anti-Arsenal. I havent a clue. We are not a dirty side by any means, we dont usually harass refs and we dont win anything so its hard to see what the downer on Arsenal is all about. Over to you Eds on this one.

  7. Thanks Walter. Its the support from you and everyone at Untold, the love for Arsenal and fair football that drives us to uncover the truth on refereeing. And I always keep thinking to myself that; reviewing Arsenal’s matches fits certain pieces of puzzle, but by reviewing every single league in the season we will be able to see the whole picture.

  8. Usama, family comes first for all of us Arsenal whilst a passion for most of us here must always come second or it becomes an obsession which is never healthy.

  9. An excellent review.

    Looks like once the match was beyond Watford, Mr Taylor saw no point in further attempts to tilt the playing field!

  10. Referees announced for next week- very interesting but strange.

    Mike Dean gets Chelsea v City on Saturday
    Roger East for out game v Palace but with Mike Dean Whispering
    Moss gets Leicester v West Ham
    Friend on Monday for Stoke v Spurs again with Mike Dean whispering
    Dean on Wednesday for West Ham v Watford
    Moss for our game on Thursday 21April

    So Dean gets a say in the games featuring teams in positions 2, 3, 4 and 6 all in one week!

  11. Very true Andrew, and thanks for the advice and yes my passion for Arsenal is healthy enough for it not to become an obsession 😀

    I am still 22-years old and learn something new everyday. I always have my family and work as top priorities. Walter and your advice are always welcomed. 🙂

  12. More referee appointments are out, with some postponed games in here.

    Sunday April 17, we have the late game with Roger East in the middle and Mike Dean whispering. Thursday April 21, we are home to WBA. Jonathan Moss in the middle, M Jones whispering.

    Wednesday 13 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    20:00 Crystal Palace – Everton Mike Jones _ _ M Perry _ _ H Lennard P Tierney
    Saturday 16 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    17:30 Chelsea – Man City _ _ _ Mike Dean _ _ _S Burt _ _ _J Collin _P Bankes
    15:00 Everton – Southampton _ _Craig Pawson _ D Bryan _ _ S Beck _ _T Harrington
    15:00 Man Utd – Aston Villa _ _Anthony Taylor L Betts _ _ D Cann _ _D Webb
    15:00 Newcastle – Swansea _ _ _Lee Mason _ _ _S Bennett _ M Wilkes _P Gibbs
    12:45 Norwich – Sunderland _ _ Andre Marriner S Ledger _ _S Child _ N Swarbrick
    15:00 West Brom – Watford _ _ _Michael Oliver G Beswick _ D Eaton _ N Miller
    Sunday 17 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    16:00 Arsenal – Crystal Palace Roger East _ _ R West _ _ _M Scholes M Dean
    13:30 Bournemouth – Liverpool _Mike Jones _ _ A Garratt _ A Holmes _G Scott
    13:30 Leicester – West Ham _ _ Jonathan Moss _A Halliday _H Lennard R Madley
    Monday 18 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    20:00 Stoke – Spurs _ _ _ _ _ _Kevin Friend _ M McDonough M Perry _ M Dean
    Tuesday 19 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    19:45 Newcastle – Man City _ _ Neil Swarbrick D Bryan _ _ L Betts _ K Friend
    Wednesday 20 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    20:00 Liverpool – Everton _ _ _Robert Madley _D Cann _ _ _P Kirkup _R East
    20:00 Man Utd – Crystal Palace Lee Mason _ _ _M Salisbury S Long _ _M Jones
    19:45 West Ham – Watford _ _ _ Mike Dean _ _ _J Brooks _ _M Wilkes _G Scott
    Thursday 21 April 2016
    K.O. _MATCHES _ _ _ _ REFEREE _ _ _ ASST. REF. 1 _ _ASST. REF. 2 _ _4TH OFFICIAL
    19:45 Arsenal – West Brom _ _ _Jonathan Moss _A Halliday _S Bennett M Jones

  13. Gord,

    No problem, your list is complete, I had looked earlier to complete another article and spotted those I highlighted. Gives me something to talk about for the weekend preview!

  14. Been looking at the other side of the coin today.

    When crazy folk like us allege bias, some, though not often (they don’t like stats), could produce stats which don’t look absurdly weird. Red card stats, pen stats,etc.

    But what you don’t see is the context in which the decisions we get and don’t get occurs. That context is obviously vital,though.

    Anyway, I put up some stats earlier for three seasons of red cards, I’ve now looked at another two.

    One of the standout things was how many times the red cards for opposition players against us come very late in games.

    This is the updated list for double yellows. 8 in total over 5 years.

    (Arsenal opponents)
    90
    87
    90
    89
    90
    84
    90
    54

    Drinkwater’s was even rarer than we thought,folks. The first double yellow in 5 years before the 84th minute!

    Into the record books those sendings off go, evidence things aren’t too fishy or one-sided.

    And yet we gained virtually nil from them. Drinkwater’s aside (which we used so well) we gained a grand total of 10 regulation minutes with an extra player. In 5 years.

    Our 2nd yellows over the years follow a totally different pattern. Normally occurring with at least twenty minutes left and almost never very late in a game (why waste a red on us then, eh?)

    It’s all coincidence, folks, all coincidence.

  15. Our U21s have just finished their game away at Derby with a two one victory. Our midfielder Sheaf was sent off at the end of the first half with the score at one all. Following the Arsenal Twitter comments on the game it would seem that his two yellows were both down to his stupidity, the first for kicking the ball away, the second for arguing with the referee. If Sheaf and the rest of the squad learn from this experience then it will have have been a valuable lesson. Referees can, will and do send off Arsenal players at every opportunity!

  16. Rich

    You probably meant to refer to Simpson rather than Drinkwater (no big deal; a Danny is a Danny).

    Anyway those stats are rare and quite intriguing. Yet I fail to see the agenda – or the need for sarcasm – as there are no other teams in comparison. I could join in and do ManC and Chelski, as long as only EPL games are concerned, right?

  17. Another review on its way.

    State aid United are to give all details of their agreement on the Olympic Stadium to the public. Perhaps there will be some questions asked about why such a deal was struck without full transparency.

  18. It is quite amazing that Rileys trusted cheats are always involved with the top of the league. It is certainly proving to be controlled evolution from Chelsea to the selection of the Frauds.

  19. Interesting review.
    Astounding Josif, an attacking team, a year without a penalty at home? Is there any precedent for this?
    But as soon as The chosen team have won the league, and we are three nil up against somebody, we,will get that elusive penalty at home, just stats to make the PGMOL look like they are not cheats.

  20. Dean – the “ball whisperer” ?

    I suppose they think that all is cool when they have an “experienced” ref to guide the new refs, and it does make sense, BUT why is it Dean so often? Is he the only experienced (read trusted) ref in the PL?

    It’s really time for the PGMO/refs to get sorted, another season nearly gone and still the wrong decisions pile up against us.

  21. Mandy
    Well said. We only get fair refreeing once the PGMO realise the match is out of there hands.

  22. Bard I would refer you to all our articles on Type III match fixing to explain the issue. Or read up the history of match fixing in Italy where the process was perfected.

  23. Mandy

    And to think Utd at one stage got 10 penalties at Old Trafford in 14 games from a referee called…Mike Riley .

    7 in 5 games in 2002-3 alone. 4 of them for shirt tugs. Well, there was a title to be reclaimed,after all.

    Interesting to ponder how feasible it would be for a ref to rack up those figures for us under Riley’s charge. One, when it mattered, would lead to serious questions and maybe some time off; two, if you did it again when given another test and it’d be championship and league 1 ahoy; three and…no you probably wouldn’t get another game there for at least a year and might even have been driven out by then.

    But could it even come to that? Could a ref get to the top if he was capable of that sort of shit?

    http://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/03/theknowledge.sport

    What are the odds,eh? Utd’s opponents must have been so dirty, clumsy and desperate in their defending while our opponents must be so damn clean.

    Or maybe Mike’s opinions about the threshold for a pen have changed enormously by now?

    Or we don’t have any threatening attacks?

    Or it’s all just darn luck and coincidence?

    But,yeah, they might just find one or two in the remaining games after this weekend, unless Utd are in with a squeak of 4th.

    If so, they’ll have to let it carry over to next year, when we’ll get a few to make the figures look less suspect, against smaller teams, preferably when the games done already.

    Couple of double yellows around the 85-90 mark, too, just to make things look better on that front.

    The guy at the weekend, East, strikes me as someone who makes Dean and Atkinson look like subtle masters of their trade, so that’s a bad combo with Dean whispering and I think we can expect some crude dangerous stuff to be permitted.

  24. Dieter

    Yep, Simpson. Cheers for correction. Think I’ve written it as Drinkwater in about three posts so far.

    You’re right other teams needed to give a better picture. Was thinking of that yesterday as I did ours.

    Would be good to have an average time of reds for each club over the course of 5 years (though i’d have to relearn how to work out averages, unfortunately!). No reason they shouldn’t be close over a sample of that size but I reckon there’ll be huge disparity between us and them.

    Took me a bit longer than I thought but I’ll do it in next few days if you haven’t already.

    Prem games only. Relatively easy to check on that site I gave the link to. only danger is including a cup match by mistake.

  25. Dieter

    Only looked at first year so far- 2011-12.

    Oppositon 2nd yellows for us that year were (90, 87,90) 3 mins regulation time total

    Opposition 2nd yellows for Utd that year (77, 79,66, 39) 99 mins regulation time total.

    More details below. (bit messy and some difficulties nailing down best way to describe ‘for’, ‘against’ etc, but hopefully makes sense)

    2011-12

    Arsenal.

    13 Aug , Newc (a) d 0-0; (gervinho, straight red 76) Walton; 0-0 at red * Song also handed 3-match ban for stamp on barton

    20 Aug Liv (h) L 0-2 (Frimpong 2nd yellow 70) ; Atkinson ; 0-0 at red

    28 Aug Utd (a) L 8-2 (Jenkinson 2 yellow 77) Webb ; 6-2 at red

    24 Sep Bolton (h) w 3-0 (Wheater red 55) Clattenberg ; 2-0 at red

    21 Dec Villa (a) w 2-1 (hutton 2 yellow 90) ; 2-1 at red

    27 Dec Wolved (a) d 1-1 (Miljas 75 red) ; 1-1 at red; Atwell

    2nd Jan Fulham (a) L 2-1 (Djourou 2 yellow 78); 1-0 up at red Probert

    4th Feb Blackburn (h) w 7-1 (Givet s/o 43) ; Marriner; 3-1 up at red

    26 Feb Spurs (h) w5-2 (Parker 87 2 yellows); Dean ; 5-2 up at red

    8 April Man city (h) w 1-0; Ballotelli (2 yellows 90); Atkinson ; 1-0 up at red

    11 April Wolves (a) w 3-0 Bassong (red 8) Swarbrick : 0-0 at red

    Reds for (Arsenal players) 4 (+ retrospective red for Song) ; Against (opp players) 7

    Straight reds for 1 (76); Against 4 (55, 75 43, 8)

    2nd yellows for 3 (70,77,78) against 3 (90.87.90)

    ——————————-

    Our stats ended up being unusually good (for the 5 years in question) that year, after a woeful beginning, but I think it’s only really one of them- a straight red for a Wolves player before ten mins which was an absolute game changer (i.e there was a lot of time left and we didn’t already have a two-goal lead. The other Wolves sending off- with 15 mins left- also represented a good chance to turn a draw into a win).

    I expect that to be the pattern throughout, with virtually every early red in our favour occurring against a minnow- Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves, Wolves, this time-, and any reds we get in big games coming very late.

    I’ll look through the other years but that first one does fit the bill of things easing up for us decision wise if/ once we are no longer in title contention. In Utd’s case the big calls seem to increase for them at the critical time of title race.

    —————————–
    Man Utd

    Against .28 Aug, Arsenal (h) W8-2 (Jenkinson 2 yellow); Webb ; 6-2 at red

    For. 23 Oct (h) Man City L 6-1 (Evans red 47); Clattenberg ; 1-0 down at red

    Against 26 Nov (h) Newc D 1-1 (Gutierrez 2 yellow) 79; Mike Jones ; 1-1 at red

    Against 26 Dec (h) Wigan W 5-0 (Sammon (red 40); Webb; 1-0 at red

    Against 11 March West from W 2-0 (Olsson 2 yellow 66) ; Probert; 1-0 up at red

    Against 18 march Wolves (a)W 5-0 (Zubar 2 yellow 39) Taylor ; 1-0 up at red

    Against 8 April QPR (H) W 2-0 (red Derry 14) ; Mason ; 0-0 at red

    Reds for 1; Against 6

    Straight reds for 1 (47); Against 2 (40,14)

    2nd yellows for (0) ; Against (4) (77, 79,66, 39)

  26. @ Rich

    My recollection was that in one season Riley refereed 49 games. 41 didn’t involve Man U and he awarded just one penalty in those games. The 8 that involved Man U involved 9 penalties…….all in favour of Man U. If those stats are wrong then it’s only slight. Even if its more than slight it is still hugely damning of a bloke who’s supposed to be the epitome of neutrality.

  27. @Goonermikey

    Those figures sound preposterous, but I can well believe Riley was capable of that.

    It wouldn’t and couldn’t happen in our favour, of course, but I’m sure the media would make quite a lot of it if some ref gave us, say, 3 or 4 in 8 games.

    Mason came back after his extended break for the crime of not sending off Coquelin, and they’d have had plenty to say if he’d given us even 1 penalty.

    It stinks.

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