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#Post#: 99345--------------------------------------------------
Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: dtrv2
Date: December 30, 2025, 3:54 pm
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Very odd performance so far. So many free kicks given that
weren't, some that were that weren't given. And even as an
Arsenal fan I think the booking for Rogers was harsh - and crowd
pressure based - and Merino should absolutely have been sent off
for a second yellow. [emoji53]
#Post#: 99346--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: December 30, 2025, 4:02 pm
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--- Quote from: dtrv2 link ---
>
> Very odd performance so far. So many free kicks given that
weren't, some that were that weren't given. And even as an
Arsenal fan I think the booking for Rogers was harsh - and crowd
pressure based - and Merino should absolutely have been sent off
for a second yellow. [emoji53]
>
--- End Quote ---
Totally agree that Merino should’ve been sent packing - Rogers
turned him and he hauled him to the ground. Clear yellow card
for me.
It’s a performance that’s all felt very safe - hasn’t wanted to
let anything go in fear of having to make a big decision. That’s
why it’s all felt so strange at times in my opinion.
#Post#: 99351--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: tef
Date: December 30, 2025, 4:34 pm
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A very mediocre performance for me. Started fairly weakly and
thought Villa in particular were playing him. Time keeping was a
major issue in the first half where only 3 minutes were added
when it ought to have been double. At least this was correctly
managed in the second half. Agree that Merino should’ve gone for
the pull back on Rogers. And then there was a VAR overturn for
the 3rd goal.
#Post#: 99370--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: Leggy
Date: December 31, 2025, 5:45 am
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Merino was as clear a yellow card as one can see. The only
reason it was not shown was because it was a second yellow card.
The reason for that is open to conjecture:
(i) Unwilling to send a player off in a "big" game.
(ii) The desire (of his employers) that referees manage the game
and keep 22 players on the field if at all possible.
(iii) A simple mistake / misread of the offence.
None of these reflect well on the referee; but at least (ii) is
understandable as he is not alone. The others are more
worrying.
The (non) offside for the third goal was really tight. The AR
followed protocol by holding the flag and VAR was able to use
the slide rule that the AR did not have to reach the correct
decision. Any Arsenal fans who - in the future - bemoan VAR
need to remember 30 December 2025!
Happy New Year all!!
#Post#: 99377--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: gooner
Date: December 31, 2025, 6:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
hi,
most of the major points have been covered previously in this
thread, and i tend to agree with them all [emoji4]
a few further observations - timewasting (or 'game management'
if you prefer) was ridiculous and started before the 10th minute
[emoji37] and unai emery seemed further out of his technical
area and on far more occasions than even mikel arteta, which is
some achievement [emoji15] finally, not shaking hands with the
other manager at the end of the game is poor, although i'm sure
emery will reflect on this and realise it was a mistake
[emoji16]
quite an entertaining match all-in-all
regards,
gnr
#Post#: 99380--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: bmb
Date: December 31, 2025, 6:48 am
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It's very unlike Emery in his defence. Can't remember ever
seeing him act like that. He's not one to go out onto the pitch
and applaud the fans etc but he always shakes hands before
heading down the tunnel. I can only assume he was very
disappointed with Villa's performance and the total capitulation
on the pitch. I expect he will have been and apologised in the
dressing room post match.
#Post#: 99382--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: tef
Date: December 31, 2025, 7:11 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: bmb link ---
>
> It's very unlike Emery in his defence. Can't remember ever
seeing him act like that. He's not one to go out onto the pitch
and applaud the fans etc but he always shakes hands before
heading down the tunnel. I can only assume he was very
disappointed with Villa's performance and the total capitulation
on the pitch. I expect he will have been and apologised in the
dressing room post match.
>
--- End Quote ---
My favourite part of his post-match quote was that he didn't
want to wait for the handshake because it was cold...he'd been
out there for ~50 mins so I'm quite sure he could've waited
another 10 seconds for Arteta to make his way over!!
#Post#: 99390--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: Claretman
Date: December 31, 2025, 7:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: tef link ---
>
> [quote author=bmb link=topic=7570.msg99380#msg99380
date=1767185286]
> It's very unlike Emery in his defence. Can't remember ever
seeing him act like that. He's not one to go out onto the pitch
and applaud the fans etc but he always shakes hands before
heading down the tunnel. I can only assume he was very
disappointed with Villa's performance and the total capitulation
on the pitch. I expect he will have been and apologised in the
dressing room post match.
>
--- End Quote ---
My favourite part of his post-match quote was that he didn't
want to wait for the handshake because it was cold...he'd been
out there for ~50 mins so I'm quite sure he could've waited
another 10 seconds for Arteta to make his way over!!
[/quote]
Managers could also have the courtesy of shaking the opponents
hand before celebrating with their own staff too. Some managers
prefer the old fashioned way a quick handshake and straight down
the tunnel rather than entering the field of play which is often
where shenanigans start. Also gives the manager time to compose
himself prior to confronting the referee.
I am not intending to defend Emery merely putting the other
point of view.
#Post#: 99469--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren England - Arsenal vs Aston Villa
DIR By: ajb95
Date: January 2, 2026, 6:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Claretman link ---
>
> [quote author=tef link=topic=7570.msg99382#msg99382
date=1767186706]
> [quote author=bmb link=topic=7570.msg99380#msg99380
date=1767185286]
> It's very unlike Emery in his defence. Can't remember ever
seeing him act like that. He's not one to go out onto the pitch
and applaud the fans etc but he always shakes hands before
heading down the tunnel. I can only assume he was very
disappointed with Villa's performance and the total capitulation
on the pitch. I expect he will have been and apologised in the
dressing room post match.
>
--- End Quote ---
My favourite part of his post-match quote was that he didn't
want to wait for the handshake because it was cold...he'd been
out there for ~50 mins so I'm quite sure he could've waited
another 10 seconds for Arteta to make his way over!!
[/quote]
Managers could also have the courtesy of shaking the opponents
hand before celebrating with their own staff too. Some managers
prefer the old fashioned way a quick handshake and straight down
the tunnel rather than entering the field of play which is often
where shenanigans start. Also gives the manager time to compose
himself prior to confronting the referee.
I am not intending to defend Emery merely putting the other
point of view.
[/quote]
Great point. Pep could learn something from this rather than
causing a raucous after every with his behaviour
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