Arsenal can't catch a break with UEFA, can they? Just when we were playing some excellent stuff, full of energy and finally giving the opposition keeper a good workout (not just any keeper, but one Manuel Neuer).
And poor Szczesny, it certainly isn't a first for him. This stupid rule reduced his Euro 2012 experience with Poland to less than 30 minutes.
This rule is a game breaker indeed.
Certainly not a first for Arsenal either. This rule destroyed our 2006 Champions League final too.
How can you measure the intent of the keeper? They have to charge off their line and reduce the striker's angle.
So what was he supposed to do, extend a red carpet and let Robben score? Because, God forbid, if you touch him he will go to ground and you'll be sent off. Oh, and this decision has to be taken in a split second.
This is disgusting.
Given the way UEFA 'loves' Arsenal, they will find a way to extend Szczesny's ban for this too:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/br-cdn/temp...76a0d289a21e239baff709e5a7309c.gif?1392842413
As for Özil, his performances have been appalling lately. I hope he sorts his attitude and get back to his best. In the meantime, he should be 'spared' and not be thrown into the fire.
I am really bewildered by Wenger's decisions to a) allow him to take the penalty, a player with a shaken confidence (who had missed a penalty already in this competition) up against a German National teammate who knows only too well how he takes his penalties; b) leave him on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes, when we had better options.
The answer to both situations was Cazorla. I don't know if he had a fitness issue to play all 90 minutes, but he certainly should have taken the penalty.
Oh well... Let's
try to look at the positives. Sanogo was a real pleasant surprise and I'd rather use him more instead of Giroud until Olivier gets his shit together.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain once again one of our very best players. He was our man of the match against Liverpool last Saturday and yesterday he put in another great performance. Great things await this kid if he keeps it real.