Oh, yippee.
Peculiar language with the ‘hard but fair’ line. Let’s quote Graham ‘Three Yellows’ Poll: “Down at the Emirates, Liam Ridgewell flew into a challenge on Theo Walcott and, yes, played the ball first. But he then wiped out the Arsenal winger. The speed at which Ridgewell went into the tackle and the angle of his approach made it impossible for him to avoid Walcott. The challenge endangered the safety of the opponent and therefore should have been punished. Referee Lee Probert played on, Walcott was stretchered off and now faces a scan on his knee. When will pundits stop condoning such challenges by saying that the tackler played the ball?”
Emphasis added. That scan has obviously been done. Ergo the month. Rosicky also picked up a ding. Pretty sure the squad will be thin enough that Koke Resurreccion will get the start in the CL tilt against AZ Alkmaar.
Meet Theo Walcott, this season’s Tomas Rosicky.
When will Arsene learn to play nothing but reserves against Birmingham?
Oops. Forgot to change my name back.
I’ve never understood the argument of “he got the ball” – if I come in with a kung-fu Cantona kick, hit the ball first and then kick you in the sternum with the follow-through, is that acceptable?
It’s a ridiculous notion.
It’s the futbol equivalent of having an indian on your Tootsie Pop wrapper.
Birmingham are a menace. They now have busted up da Silva, Modric, and Walcott. Petty thugs.
All this disparagement for the league’s finest throwback team, harking an era when leg-snapping and cigarettes at half-time was en vogue!
With the way Theo was taken out, you’d think he was Croatian.
And Birmingham’s fans are really classy too…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5637834,00.html
Welcome to the first team, Carlos Vela. Or Sanchez Watt.
95% of the time I support the “he got the ball” excuse. Some of these “fouls” that get called just because he slid in a got a little piece of the player are weak. That said, just saw the tackle on Walcott and that was too much. Can’t take a line straight at the player and go through him like that. Should have been a yellow at least.
This video shows Walcott walking off and playing at least a little bit more though. Surprised he’s out for a month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OOONiByvBs&feature=player_embedded