Written by Lindsay Melrose Monday, 01 March 2010 13:37

GunnerTalk Blog

By Lindsay Sheehan

There are so many talking points I hardly know where to begin. Firstly three points dropped in hilarious fashion by the league-leading Chavs. Had to chuckle again then whilst typing, there were so many funny moments. What was your favourite? The non-handshake? The result? The score? Ballack being sent off? The ball over JT to Tevez? Tevez right up in in JT's face or Bellamy's post match interview? Twas like dipping into a giant bag of Haribo, all different sorts of treats and all equally as satisfying. Anyway it was a heavy blow from the Karma Police on John Terry's stupid Mohican wearing head which left us Gooners awaiting 17.15 with a heady mix of anticipation and bum wrenching nerves.

And then Dulap. With his little snotty towel, ugly face and bastard throw leading to a predictable goal against the Arsenal. There was a little bitty of blame for most of our defence but mainly Song. In fairness it wasn't Song's greatest game, topped off with his 10th yellow of the campaign which will now see him miss our next 2 games. His form has been immense and maybe its inevitable that some kind of fatigue is setting in. If he has to miss games I'd rather it was the next two against Burnley at home and Hull away, so maybe it was a timely booking rather than the annoyance it first seemed. Anyway I digress, it was business as usual up Norf as we were behind. The performance was good and Clichy had his best game in an Arsenal shirt this season. Phew. With all the talk of Rooney's head, Bentdner popped up on the end of a quality Fabregas ball to show that anything they can do, we can (sometimes) do. His second in 2, another hopeful statistic for those of us looking for signs amongst the runes.

So the game went on a bit and we were the superior team. And then it happened. The horror we have already lived through twice already, an Arsenal player on the end of a potential career ending tackle, his leg flapping around at unnatural angles surrounded by his team mates - white, gutted and with tears in their eyes. This years casualty was the likeable and extremely talented 19 year old Aaron Ramsey who was having a fantastic night until Shawcross ended it and his season. If you are generous the tackle was fast and clumsy, if you are suspicious it was the 3rd leg break in 4 years, Shawcross had been niggly all game and Stoke had already warned us that we were there to be bullied (Fuller before the FA cup game).

I don't think any of us believe that players go out to break peoples legs on purpose. Saying "He's not that kind of player. Caw. Pieces of 8! He's not that kind of player" does not prove that the tackle was clean or sensible. It is well documented and long discussed by the Arsenal family about how its deemed ok to "get up us," to let us "know we are in a game" and to stop us playing football. What are teams like poor Stoke, Bolton, Sunderland and Blackburn supposed to do when we are going to rip them apart if tactics other than physical ones are used. However these just seem to be terms used to hide the nasty and snide part of their game and this is what happens when you are reckless with fellow professionals safety. We have no problem being tacked fairly, dogged around on the pitch or having our play broken up. Man Utd and Chelsea showed they can impress upon us physically without being dirty. What we object to and what stared under at Fat Walrus / Mark Hughes is the wind ups, the late challenges, the dirty foot ins and the instructions from management to get in our faces. This encourages crap players to go in reckless and hard on all tackles and it means the 50/50s can turn into halloween shows. I hold Fulham is as the example, strong, solid, hardworking, not much flair and able to beat any of the top 4 on their day without such tactics as state sponsored bulling.

The result of the tackle regardless of how you see it, is that Ramsey is out for at least 9 months and can join the loooooooooooooooooooong casualty list. Honestly I have these visions of people going for Emirates Stadium tours and being mown down by the leader in the 13.00 wheelchair race between Van Persie, Ramsey, Gibbs and Dijourou as they come round the bend. Maybe Arsenal should enter the Paralympics football team competition as an exhibition team or something.

A word on Cesc. 2 years go before playing at the Brum we were threatening to win the title. It all finished with Eduardo's awfully broken leg, captain Gallas' toe curling strop and the end of our season. This year the team had 10 quiet minutes of shock and then determination set it. Topped and led by that absolutely magic man Fabregas. He had the composure to score a penalty and make a goal for the Verminator. The 2 most visibly affected by Ramsay's pain banging those 3 points into our bank with a audible THWACK! Heroes. Cesc may not be the largest, he may not be the most vocal but my god Cesc is a captain. He leads with his heart and his skill. You can not buy or teach that kind of class.

Talking of class, Adebayor has given another boring interview about how if Arsenal fans knew the truth we would forgive him. I would like to give an interview to say we don't give a flying sloppy shite about his "truth" and that he was, is and will always be a knob. Now move on Ade, we have.

So in summary, I have given up on football players being faithful to their clubs or their wives, I have given up on anything Wenger says being reported fairly, I have given up on the press taking any responsibility for the situations they wind up or create, I have given up on Andy Gray having anything relevant to say about football, ever, and I have certainly given up on Arsenal being able to play their first choice 11 once let alone twice in a row without injuries, but I haven't given up on Arsenal winning the league. In fact right now I am a bit tingly. Well done boys, I’m proud.