The predictability of last nights post match comments re: the Arsenal v Porto game was far too easy. The Porto winner certainly was nothing short of bizarre and comical, however the reality of it is that the referee made the correct decision with regards to the rules of the game. No matter how much Wenger tries to plead the "not deliberate" backpass card, it won't wash. Sol Campbell touched the ball back to the the goalkeeper, who in turn picks it up; if anyone is to blame there it's Fabianski, he should have spotted that Campbell kicked it back to him (from literally feet away) and booted it out of touch.
Thats the first part where Wenger is talking nonsense. Secondly, was his line that competes with a Jimmy Carr one liner -
"I think the referee also has to give us time to build a wall or else you will never have a chance to defend an indirect free-kick in the box...Has he ever played football? If he has played I don't see how he can explain to me how we can defend."
Mr Wenger that is precisely the point of playing an advantage! At the time of the original infringement within a few yards of the ball was the Porto player, one Arsenal defender and the goalkeeper. Thus, when the offence takes place(which is in a way cheating the opposing side of a goal opportunity) there are those 3 players in the immediate vicinity as well as another player from each side just coming into play. Now let's skip forward to when the referee allows the attacking side to compensate from the offence. In the immediate vicinity when this quick free kick is taken there is Fabianski, the 2 attacking Porto players and the 2 Arsenal defenders - precisely the number of players and exact players that were around when Arsenal illegally stopped their goalscoring opportunity!! So where's the problem? Exactly why should Arsenal be given time to build up a wall and bring all their players into the situation? - if this happens then Porto lose any chance of an advantage. Maybe Mr Wenger ought to think a bit more before he speaks.
The goal in question starts at 3:00
http://www.footytube.com/video/fc-porto-arsenal-2-1-17-02-2010-34514
The problem is that Wenger realises that the Porto players were alert and ready to take advantage of the situation, they weren't dithering about and complaining like the Arsenal players. The Arsenal defence showed complete naivity in their approach to the situation. Why did Campbell briefly bend down and clutch his face? Why does the goalkeeper walk halfway back complaining then throw the ball to the Porto players? Where is Vermaelan's immediacy in repositioning himself? All these are the real contributors to the 2nd goal sham, but Wenger insists on trying to make a scapegoat out of the referee in the full knowledge that it is the same referee involved in the "Henry handball scandal" Rather than hold his hand up like Fabregas his own captain and admit wrong he insists on blaming the one man who is most vulnerable, in the hope that the press will get behind Wenger and make Hansson the excuse for another naive performance by his own players.
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