Wolves (a) - Instant Reaction

Here’s the thing. I’m genuinely looking forward to watching the arsenal again. Used to watch the build up before games but due to our poor performances and repeated failures I just would clock in at kick off recently. Until the past few weeks. The style of play, energy and clear identity of our performances has genuinely made me love watching football again. I’m used to referees having some sort of agenda against us (maybe biased but there is an undeniable trend). What made me so angry was not the mistake or penalty, but the fact I was so enjoying the game and our performance and within a split second, it was taken away from us. I’m enjoying the arsenal again, looking forward to the games and the brilliant players who are starting to emerge. I’m enjoying Pepe, Xhaka, Cedric proving us all wrong (me included). It’s been so long building to this moment of joy that the pain comes from only getting to see 45 mins of it. Hoping for a repeat against Villa.

Why would you assume my thoughts on Luiz vs MUFC - you could listen to how I said the experienced players haven’t done what we need them to do during a rebuild project. It’s been the younger players that have saved our season

I heard it. VAR is not meeting anyone’s expectations. Maybe it was a penalty but sending off I don’t agree with. Silly that Luiz went fishing for the ball in CM when there was literally 10 seconds to go - not smart

Anton - fantastic comment top to bottom. Tough podcast to do and people like you make it worthwhile.

Correct. His line and body shape all wrong

I haven't listened yet but I hope there was a mention of the 'legacy red card' in action again.. David Luiz has done this before and therefore deserves it.. EVERY DECISION SHOULD BE MADE ON THE MERIT OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PREVIOUS GAMES.

”Nobody wants to come here for upbeat reactions after a heart breaking loss”. Oh no no... Came here for that & needed it dearly. Was still fuming up untill i saw Clive’s ”dont let this cost us more than 3 point” comment”. My girlfriend (also an arsenal fan) couldnt understand why I was s mad (i have been a constant optimist when it comes to football) and i think Elliot got it right; the thing that hurts is that we didnt get to see a 2nd half— and especially in a pandemic time where analysis & rewatch are huge parts of what keeps life in motion between the matches. Truly gutted that i wont have a week of arseblog/arsevision podcasts breaking down this game without a tinge of sadness about the results outcome. That Pepes improvement wont be a talking point/ or the fact that our passing movements were so fun to watch. Goal was incredible sure—but seeing Pepe, our 72m signing, hustling and defending as hard as anyone on that pitch & playing in 2 academy products.... chelseas stars dont defend & track back like ours do. United are flattrack bullies. What Arteta is building is special. The struggle hurts yes—but boy does it feel rewarding to watch a team grow like ours has over the course of a season and a half. Makes me pity clubs like chelsea—> where any success will always be tinged with a slight shame over how it was achieved. I like rooting for my manager, DoF, players, academy, and club all as one. Hope the fans back all the players; including Luiz and Leno—I feel like if you enjoy what Arteta is implementing -> you cant then distrust his selections. Ive loved the way we have played these last 4-5 games. If Arteta feels that Luiz is contributing to that momentum, then he has my support and I will take these moments on the chin. Regardless of where we place this season, the real tragedy of this game would be if it delays our progress by even a match. I have loved what ive seen recently, and hope to god the players give us 90m of what we saw against Villa. If they do, i genuinely think well beat them without luiz and leno

still fuming 8 hours later

'You can intentionally bring someone down and get a yellow. However, you can accidentally clip someone and get sent off'

WHAT IS THE POINT OF VAR IF IT DOESNT FIX THIS?!? THIS IS THE REASON WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE GAME?!?

Although Rob Holding has been decent as of late, if you look at his movement before David Luiz’s sending off, he has a chance to save that situation but he looks completely lost

Did anyone hear the bt sport referee say VAR isn't there to come to the correct decision but to make sure the referee didn't make a clear and obvious error? That is absolutely not what fans thought VAR was entering football for.

I mean we got absolutely robbed by referee decisions today but I watched Villa absolutely tear Palace apart with 10 men, do we have to completely concede the attack and the game when we go down a man we get players sent off more than any team, think I might be being harsh, I find it odd though

Cannot blame Luiz for that non challenge

Erik Moen Wallin

Now that we're here... I'm assuming Clive was all Plus One on Luiz's MoM against MU, which would be fair provided this Minus One for an extremely unfair Red. Ya ya, out of position, but that's every player in the PL at some point in every game. Fair is fair, am I right? Just so you have my opinion, I'd like to see David Luiz move on and play his last professional ball at Benfica next season and then retire, providing Arsenal the opportunity to move on from at least some aged players where the English game is too fast for. Still a good 'cast today. Thanks guys.

This is the first good statement about the situation where logic applies. Thank you.

I have no problem with the ref calling it a red card live during the play. How VAR doesn't reverse it though is utterly absurd.

Operation Inject Righteous Anger, GO!

The match was Arsenal comedy gold with a hint of leftfield. So looking forward to listening to this...

Stock rising: Pepe, Gabriel. Stock falling: Luiz, the ref.

Liam Lenihan

The ref lost us 2 points and Leno lost us the last in my opinion but despite that i think we were still really good. What an odd game to watch and an even stranger one to analyse. Good luck!

Cai

I’m so angry after this game. Best half of the season. Clear progression. Pepe with a great goal, fully in control and then banggggg. Feels unjust really. Hope the team comes together after this.