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Thursday 18 February 2010

Forget Russian Linesmen, it's all about the Swedish Ref's!

Arsene Wenger was not happy last night. Makes a change. No-one will know exactly what the Frenchman said to Swedish ref Martin Hansson last night but I don't think he had an invitation to an after party. Not unless it was Porto's and he was guest of honour.
A lot's been said about the second goal and yes, by the rules, it is perfectly legitimate. However, it was more comical than Peter Kay's response to Liam Gallagher's speech at the Brit awards.
Falcao's goal all came from Hansson dropping the ball, after an adjudged backpass, at the feet of Hulk and allowing the quick free kick, despite blocking off Sol Campbell from getting into a covering position. It was quick wit from the Portugese side, but Arsenal have been dne over. Again.
What Hansson should be criticised for is yet another poor performance, one where he didn't have control of the game and failed to give a stone wall penalty to Arsenal at 1-1 when Rosicky was tripped when running clear.
Yes the Gunners will have a chance in the second leg but Mr Wenger will be fuming how he sent France through to the World Cup with a 'cheating goal', but left his French youth team with a disadvantage heading into the crucial second leg.
Perhaps it's a good job that Gallas wasn't playing after scoring Le Bleu's qualifying goal in what was Hansson's last refereeing display.
It was interesting to see how Hansson came over to Wenger straight after the goal and seemed to take a verbal onslought from the man who belives the media twist his words.
Wenger refuses to reconsile when Thierry Henry scored a similar goal for Arsenal against Chelsea a few years ago, about which Premier league ref Graham Poll, told BBC Sport; "As long as the ball is stationary and in the right place then the attacking team can take it as quickly as they like."
After all this, maybe it's just not Arsenal's year; something we've become used to saying at this time of the season.

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