Manager Slaven Bilic was happy with almost everything from the Irons – except the point.
And in typical fashion he walked away from a post match interview refusing to talk about Manu Lanzini’s disallowed goal saying: “No I won’t talk about it in press conferences or my columns because people say ‘Oh he’s off again.’
He admitted: “No doubt myself and Wenger can criticse our players for the build-ups to some of the goals but let me give my team credit. I was very proud of them.
“To go two down against any team is hard but to come back against one with the ability of Arsenal was brilliant because they could have gone on and made it three or our. We showed spirit, ability and couldn’t have got the goals at a better time.”
He added: “In the second half they showed they had the ability to create space where there appeared to be none but to be honest we were better and had the chances to kill if off to 4-2.”
Of three goal Andy Carroll he said: “He’s back and will make life difficult for any defender – be they from Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or anyone. He not only scored the goals but linked the play, produced 50 yard diagonal ball. It was brilliant.”
I don’t think the defense coped well with the different formation in the first half. Not saying that they shouldn’t have, they just didn’t. They were playing a three at the back formation they aren’t as used to with Cresswell and Antonio serving in a more wingback role. Reid, Ogbonna and Tomkins just didn’t seem to cope with the change well. They kept getting caught too high. Credit Slav for being willing to adjust tactics. We looked much more comfortable when we shifted back to a straight four in the second half and kept Arsenal out more effectively. Their third was just a well taken goal. Had we stayed with three at the back I suspect they’d have scored more than one in the second half. On the official, after four games on the trot with game changing ref mistakes, it really came as no surprise when the first goal was disallowed. The NBC commentary team, in the US, were very clear that they saw Bellerin play everyone on by a clear two or three yards. I remember thinking when we came back to lead 3-2 that we’d need a two goal cushion to avoid any further lapses in refereeing judgement. I’ve heard it suggested that more technology would help. I’m a fan of the coach’s challenge in American football and I believe giving each manager two or three challenges per match for very specific circumstances would not slow the game overmuch. No challenges for open play events, only events that result in a stoppage. One example would be that the manager would be allowed to challenge an offside call that chalks off a goal (not every offside, just when the ball ends up in the net). Before the free kick is taken the manager can lodge the challenge. The official review is allowed no more than 3 minutes to make a determination. TV has proven they can build a clear offside graphic in moments for broadcast. Same tech applies here. And this process wouldn’t take as long as some of these football actors waste with their writhing in “pain” and getting magic sponge treatment. 🙂
The Ref definitely robbed West Ham of the points today – Craig Pawson is a graduate of the Anthony Taylor School of Refereeing – a very poor performance!
There was a period in the second half where he was in danger of completely losing control of the game.
Hope so Chaz,but you always wonder if the next injury is just round the corner.
Another thought. Are we finally going to get our payback from Carroll after all the years of disappointment.
Wenger reckons carol should have gone ? Really ! Konch , as with all the french contingent were prancing about like bamby trying to cheat penalties and free kicks , and the foul given against carol when through on goal and studded deliberately with a waiste high lunge that caught carol on the thigh was a straight red , the ref bottled it ! A goal disallowed when not even close ! And a goal conceded by ozil that was offside by about 3-4 inches , Webb said the ref and lino gave the attacker the benefit of the doubt as he was JUST ABOUT on?
That’s five games on the bounce now decisions have gone against , and I was expecting it after the refs meeting last week and clattenburks overturned red ! They clearly do
If there’s one thing Slav has done more than any other it is to stop us throwing in the towel as soon as we fall behind.
It was inevitable that we would have another bad decision go against us but any chance of top four pretty well went out the window with the Chelsea/Palace fiasco’s.
Time to go flat out for the cup now. There still is a space in Europe for the winner. Isn’t there?
Agree wit WP. We do seem to have improved our attack tremendously but it’s been at the expense of our defence somewhat
Another two points lost in my opinion. All the talk is about Arsenal folding and throwing the lead and the league away, I think we are just as disappointed if not more given our 3-2 lead and a Lanzini disallowed goal that should have stood. Our expectation is to win these games against the ‘big clubs’ and we deserved to today. I’d like to see our defense stronger next season, we can’t fold like that for the first two goals, we have to be a complete team if we’re to push on. I love Reidy and would love to see Ginge back, but feel we need to shore that side of our game up some.
Nothing you can do about it
Ian Wright let himself down today, Carroll only went for r venue for the elbow he got,
Calm down Wrighty as a Gooner you know it all falls a part after Xmas,well unless you have a manager like Slav
Great day for the ground again no defeat against the Gooners this season unbeaten again at home
What’s not to like
Are we safe now from relegation ?
Could have killed them off but such is life.Still a brilliant game,that’s good enough for me.Slav has done the right think no talking about decisions.Good man.