- There’s a shortage of league tables just at the moment. I can’t think why
- Top of the league, and they didn’t get a shot on target
So once again we see a controversial red card issue (and yes I am talking about Dowman’s Card Tuesday night – though it could well be Foden being sent off in the recent Manc derby)
Now there are several point I want to make – but must say the card didn’t decide the game- we were awful but that is all I will say as the below points are more important
So first Arteta’s reaction and the press backlash.
Arteta supposedly said “get into the changing room Max” . Quite clearly the right thing – sometimes you seem to see red carded players adjourn to the bench (Something they are not entitled to do) – making sure Dowman was out of sight and mind for his benefit the better.
Next Arteta stressed the pre-match talks on discipline – clearly Fleetwood had little to lose making it a physical game and any Arsenal player reacting was going to let us down. In a cup game with little respite. So Max did let us down and the tough love issued was absolutely correct for the night the team and the future of the young player.
Now the most major point.
So at least two incidents this year of a dangerous tackle provoking a response where the response has been punished, rather that the provocation.
So let’s just remind ourselves of the definition of serious fowl play
“A player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent. This includes lunging with excessive force from any direction, two-footed challenges, or making full, high-intensity contact with studs showing onto the shin or ankle.”
If anyone is to argue that Neal Harrison didn’t tackle from behind, didn’t make stud contact, didn’t follow through so hard as to scissor trap Dowman’s legs making the stud contact more serious then you must have been watching a different game to me. The several commentators that said Harrison got the ball need to read the laws, it was irrelevant, the excessive force meant it was serious fowl play and should of been punished.
The game is once again getting itself into a serious dilemma with this easy branding of red cards. (If anyone in the street defends themselves or react to an attack, who is wrong and who should get nicked?)
Let us just remind ourselves where the need to red card violent tackles came from. Eduardo (career ending), Diaby (career ending) and Ramsey (Major rehabilitation) all were the drivers behind the red card rule.
Now we have turned full circle. Two tackles to provoke red card response. Such an easy option to take out best players.
To the nasty bunch who will use such a tackle – You know what you are.
To the players who get lynched – please start lining up your law suits – the FA is not applying a duty of care or fair stance.
We are clearly back awaiting another career ending tackle or legal action to bring the FA to reason.
Nick the Gooner
