Michael Oliver, the BBC, and Millwall supporters are facing backlash over the Jean-Philippe Mateta incident, plus there’s plenty more regarding Mikel Arteta.
‘Shameful’ BBC
I typically enjoy the BBC’s football broadcasts, but their reporting on the Palace Millwall match is shameful. Roberts' attack is among the most shocking things I’ve witnessed in 40 years of observing football. Such conduct is unacceptable on a football pitch as it posed a threat to life and should have been condemned immediately and unanimously. Instead, we have Matthew Upson stating, “It’s unfortunate. For Roberts and the match…” as Jonathan Pearce continues to discuss how Millwall will manage with ten players. We need to see Kelly Somers question Steve Parish regarding what the second half will entail and how they plan to cope with Mateta's unavailability while someone is hospitalized due to a serious head injury. Parish truly highlighted their ignorance by stating, “he's a human being.” The BBC's underdog story that persists in their FA Cup coverage is condescending and irritating at best, and it reeks of them safeguarding corporate nonsense rather than focusing on football.
The approach of football towards truly hazardous conduct must be examined. It makes no difference if he intercepted him during the follow through. It is irrelevant that it happened by chance. It was a revolting neglect for the well-being of another person and must be identified as such. The red card shouldn’t result from placing your studs against the head of a standing player, it should be issued for trying to make that “challenge” at all. A thoughtful individual even reached out through the mailbox inquiring what Dorgu was meant to do on a soggy field when he couldn't predict where his foot would land. The solution is straightforward; he shouldn't have tried to take on the challenge in the first place. In this sport, attempting to elbow an opponent and failing to make contact is not penalized. It's madness. The PFA must urgently advocate for prioritizing the welfare of players.
I’ll let others discuss how Michael Oliver believes that MLS warranted a straight red and that Robert’s was not a foul at all.
SC, Belfast [truly irate]
"Cowardice" by Michael Oliver
That was a complete disaster. Liam Roberts definitely deserves to be banned for the longest duration possible. Regardless of intention, he almost severed a man's head with a kick. The most severe ban would be suitable.
Micheal Oliver – I loathe any fan group theories suggesting that a referee is biased against them. It does not conclude positively for anyone. However, I truly believe Michael Oliver ought to be granted the remainder of the season off—without pay. He was near the challenge, had a clear view, and needed to wait for VAR to issue the red card. That is a lack of ability. In competitions without VAR, feel free to kick someone directly in the face since the referee might not penalize you. Timidity from Oliver.
Traveling Millwall supporters, you certainly don’t need reminding why other football fans view you as repugnant. Your cries of ‘let him die’ nearly guarantee that you’re past redemption.
And to those Palace supporters who treated Neghli similarly, even if you believed it was just a joke, you are terrible people who do not deserve to enjoy football, much less attend matches.
Will (Prohibit Millwall away supporters, yet still impose fees on them)
Oliver rubbish
Another instance of Michael Oliver being truly awful at his profession.
How can he possibly overlook a studs-up kick to the head and need VAR to step in for him?
It's becoming somewhat foolish now.
Mark
Arsenal's 'illusionary title quest'
Ben in the mailbox has broached an important subject here, specifically regarding the media coverage of Arsenal and how it appears on your esteemed pages. I see why Arsenal receives the attention it does: it is among the most followed clubs globally, one of the wealthiest, and has some of the most vocal online supporters in football.
We must clearly clarify one point here: in truth, by any objective measure, Arsenal can no longer be regarded as a true “big club.” This is not a hasty conclusion solely based on a handful of poor outcomes or seasons – this is a fact-based assessment supported by 21 years of data. When your football club’s Netflix FC Slapstick Comedy Series has lasted longer than Friends [10 seasons], Criminal Minds [17 seasons], and even CSI [15 seasons], it’s time to reassess.
Identifying the genuinely major clubs is straightforward. Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus.
There is a saying that goes, "Winners succeed, Losers make excuses." Arsenal supporters continually “justify” their recent disappointments with comically foolish nonsense, leading you on a whimsical journey through net expenditures, xG per minutes spent in the restroom, points per annual calendar, and inevitably, the Deep State PGMOL Conspiracy where Zelenskyy is laboring hard to devise a wicked scheme to invade the Emirates and disrupt Arsenal. That's how you find yourself in a true cycle of foolishness, where Arsenal fans are so committed to the Arteta Kool-aid that it’s not enough to merely consume it: one must also urinate it first, then drink it again from the urinal. Reinforce that Kool Aid! And what if the world highlights that you aren't consuming urine and that everyone can observe it? Blame the observing world for orchestrating a wicked scheme to deprive you of the revitalizing benefits of urine-soaked Kool Aid. "They just don’t understand how delicious it is"! This is how you find yourself in the ridiculous position where some mailbox fool has actually attempted to positively compare a no-name like Arteta with Jurgen Klopp.
The total absence of grace displayed by numerous Gooners regarding Liverpool’s title victory is ridiculous. Liverpool are authentic and worthy league champions. They have been defeated just once, maintained consistency, found the net, and shown tactical flexibility. Their manager is an amiable person who doesn’t lose his composure the moment a reporter questions his shortcomings, nor tries to belittle your understanding with ambiguous language. Their captain is a genuine leader and a positive role model. Their top player is very likable – yet the newest QArsenal complaint is that it's unfair how exceptional Liverpool's star player is!
However, judging by the complaints of disgruntled Arsenal fans, this was "a terrible season," "low quality," and naturally "luck"
I mentioned this long ago and again, it's challenging to create something genuinely original when the same Comedy Slapstick has been on continuous repeat for 21 seasons (and still going). However, all the major clubs I mentioned earlier are prominent clubs because the simplest way to prove this is to highlight the trophies these teams have secured over the last 20 years. Not profound or contentious – it's how major clubs have consistently been set apart from the rest.
Liverpool supporters don’t submit letter after letter “clarifying” the “background” of their season: they just don’t need to. A straightforward indication towards the PL trophy will be enough!
Arsenal supporters must "justify" themselves because, to put it plainly, they are a disappointment. Staying relevant cannot be achieved on the field, so dominance is necessary outside of it. Thus, the QArsenal Massive.
I mentioned previously that Arsenal supporters are consistently happy and always pleased. Lee inquires whether Arsenal supporters would prefer ten years of finishing as runners-up or winning a few trophies. Oh Lee, haven't you learned anything yet? Or have you overlooked that throughout nearly a decade of trophyless failure under Wenger, Arsenal fans essentially redefined what success means! The top four turned into a trophy. You see, just like Trump can simply declare, “it’s now named the Gulf of America.” And “Canada has now become our 51st state.” Insane nonsense that these individuals truly believe. QArsenal!
A glance at the mailbox reveals a constant flow of Arsenal fans praising Arteta and informing us, the less enlightened fans, that we don't possess the intellectual depth to recognize the incredible accomplishments Arteta has made! Sure thing!
Liverpool supporters were displeased with Rodgers, often seen as the Selfridges equivalent of Arteta. However, here we find Arsenal supporters claiming this imposter is Sacchi. Sure!
They are pleased with "competing" and "second place". Every path returns to Wenger: “I would accept second place for the next two decades.” A statement like that in Madrid and your security access is denied immediately. If Kompany were to make a similar remark tomorrow, he wouldn't last the summer at Bayern. At Arsenal? It’s accepted!
No major club is ever satisfied with finishing second repeatedly – yet Arsenal supporters, for the most part, are thrilled. If Arteta experienced a comparable season and disastrous transfer record at a club like Liverpool, he would be gone by now, as the fans wouldn't accept a PHONY TITLE CHALLENGE that fizzles out in February, especially in a year where Pep took a break! That’s on top of enduring tedious corner kicks every week, all framed by the smell of an ashtray. Any manager of a large club receiving £750m will have to show a distinct return on investment, evidenced by trophies. Real large ones. None of the major clubs I mentioned above would keep Mikel Arteta following the season he has just experienced. Not a chance. No one would employ him tomorrow – (ManYoo could). Currently, ManYoo is a mess, so there's a caveat (even though I foresee ManYoo claiming another PL title before Arsenal, remember this). Arteta embodies a fair representation of many (but not all) Arsenal supporters: overconfident, brash without substantial proof, and lacking humility. However, "remain modest," huh? The charisma of Barack Obama matched with the accomplishment rate of Liz effin Truss.
Mikel Arteta ranks as the second highest compensated coach globally, and Arsenal supporters are sincerely attempting to persuade everyone that this individual is the one. Completely bonkers MAGA-like, Hillary Clinton's server, Brexit signifies Brexit, Brooklyn pizza cellar, Deep State, Biden devoured my hamster, total nonsensical crazy nonsense.
The title victory by Arne Slot reflects the Leicester title win. It was truly an empty highway, no cars in sight – it requires someone remarkably incompetent to backtrack so profoundly, but well done Mikel, you surpassed yourself! Slot has shamed the FAKE PROCESS, laid to rest the ridiculous claims about “you cannot compete with Citeh,” and shattered the “You cannot compete with high spending” narrative by humiliating the big spending Arteta in his debut season. And that represents a sheer humiliation, the world is aware of it. Some Arsenal fans continue to “explain” that what they’re tasting from that urinal is actually a tasty pomegranate coulis (rather than urine-infused Kool-aid). Every imaginable ridiculous Gooner excuse vanished into thin air, just as it did when Leicester revealed Wenger's nonsense about "impossible to compete with oil wealth and financial cheating" crap. Certainly, years after Wenger’s dismissal, Arsenal supporters still celebrate his Losing Legacy, reshaping all of the Greatest Excuses Classics. Arsenal hasn't been a major club, by any objective standard of the past 20 years. If "participation" is the new virtual award, then let's begin awarding match day mascots with ballon d'Ors. Since they have roughly the same likelihood of winning a league title as Arsenal!
Stewie Griffin (Other teams feel “jealous” of Arsenal similar to how billionaire Jay-Z feels “jealous” and “worried” about Stewie taking Beyoncé from him, despite little Stewie working in a factory making microwave meals for a London Living wage.
Klopp versus Arteta
I trust this addresses some of the fan messages I've received:
Mat, I’m not claiming that the sole factor in the differing success of Klopp and Arteta is luck; rather, I suggest that both their ascents stem from excellent coaching and have followed remarkably similar paths after significant investments that yielded impressive results, which I would attribute to a similar degree of chance. The personal situations are clearly distinct and demonstrate varying managerial skills.
I am arguing that the point at which Klopp and Arteta differed this season (as Arsenal have regressed while Klopp has managed to excel) can somewhat be attributed to Klopp having a complete squad to utilize, but as I have noted in nearly every paragraph, he is/was the superior coach.
Receiving £142m for Coutinho is entirely a matter of luck. Barcelona possessed a large sum of money that was eagerly awaiting utilization, faced a significant PR issue following Neymar's departure, and had to satisfy fans to avoid a crisis within the board. Thus, they significantly overpaid for an enormous shiny gadget. There is a wealth of podcasts, retrospectives, and articles on this topic – you didn’t instantly turn into the best negotiator, you merely continued to say no until it became absurd for you.
Why would I have an obsession with Salah? I have no clue; perhaps it relates to his brilliance and how crucial he is to your achievements. I assume you disagree with the idea of luck, so let me clarify, as you provided the perfect analogy – Liverpool was fortunate with Salah just as Arsenal was fortunate with Henry. Both were somewhat unconventional wide forwards with evident striker potential/goalscoring ability for a skilled manager who could highlight their strengths. When placed in that situation, they thrived beyond nearly everyone’s anticipations (often even the managers, who would frequently voice astonishment at how extraordinary they were) and emerged as the top players globally, all while seldom sustaining injuries. So this isn’t just random luck, it’s what we might call strategic fortune.
Do you really think Robertson is just a mid-table player without Klopp?
In conclusion, I recognize that compiling everything is laborious, but if you look closely, I did factor in Rice and that window in my 'mental calculations'; I simply overlooked the latest Calafiori one – primarily because I aimed to illustrate what formed teams at the beginning of this season (which supports my argument about the major divergence of paths – where I admit Arsenal had made poorer choices) but I understand your belief that I’m selectively choosing for amusement.
If you wish to add the extra year, interestingly, Liverpool's expenditure was 6.4% of the overall league expenditure, while Arsenal's was 6.3%. Ironically, my argument remains valid!
Lee, pleased to address the inquiry – even as a devoted supporter of Arteta, this season is clearly disappointing; he has made mistakes, and it’s evident that improvements are necessary for next year. Even in my most hopeful emails, I've recognized that enhancement is required (as you noticed significantly in every season prior to this one), and if Arsenal invests heavily and fails to meet expectations next season, I won’t mind addressing 'Can he lead them to the top?' questions. I’m aiming for a league title or a Champions League victory, and I’ll accept whichever gets us there quickest. I simply think that no one out there understands us better than Arteta right now (unless Klopp decides to come back to the league for a new challenge, of course).
Paul, I credit the Liverpool scouts for identifying the talent; the luck is in the players exceeding their expected potential and seldom getting injured. Klopp managed to extract a fairly extraordinary level of performance from Mane, Salah, and numerous others, and while he merits all the credit for achieving this, it's hard to assert that anyone could predict or be certain that this was their limit, much less that they would reach it.
By the way, Liverpool's innovative data strategy, despite its success, has now been imitated so effectively that every team can identify these efficiencies—making it more challenging for me to find bargains/successes in the market now, which raises the cost of Arsenal’s rise, as I noted in my email.
Sure, I believe that addresses all points; I'm always open to differing opinions on what defines fortune. However, since football is a game of fine margins, luck will significantly influence outcomes unless you can purchase every margin. Once more, the common adversary is City—none of my messages reflected anything but admiration for that Liverpool team.
Tom (appears that my gross versus net email didn't make it, that's a separate topic) Leyton.
Ten Hag > Arteta?
The discussion about Arteta had me glued to the mailbox. “He hasn’t met expectations”, “he’s surpassed expectations”, “he’s just 5th in the expenditure ranking”. Excellent material.
Two inquiries then:
1. How many fans who aren't Arsenal supporters would prefer that he remained? Typically, supporters prefer that rival clubs keep their mid managers, and I believe most fans of other clubs would be content for Arteta to remain.
2. why can’t Arsenal – one of the largest and most successful clubs in the nation – secure the funds to purchase a striker? Or does he simply favor spending it on midfielders and defenders?
In my opinion, those who believe Rice is valued at £100m and that Havertz is a decent striker should remain at a club, provided it's not my own.
And indeed, Ten Hag was more effective in converting his expenditures into trophies. No matter what else you may believe about him, he successfully navigated a genuine injury crisis to secure the FA Cup victory. What’s Arteta’s reason now?
Badwolf
Establishing what success means
Hello Lee, do you really believe it's impossible to find even one Liverpool supporter who considers 97 points in the league and winning the Champions League a successful season? Our previous near miss season featured a cup double, being runners-up in the Champions League, and achieving 91 points!
Well, I am one and don’t really believe I’m alone,
Mark Robbo, Liverpool FC
No credit for Arne Slot
I continue to notice the usual criticisms towards Arteta claiming he won the FA Cup using Emery's squad. So, Arne Slot is winning this league with Klopp’s team, and he deserves no credit, which will be held against him in all future discussions... is that correct?
Wealthy, AFC
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