Diaby Lacks Discipline as Arsenal Let Four Goal Lead Slip Away

You know, it's been almost a month since I wrote a post, and I was really looking forward to explaining my blogosphere absence by composing a witty, cutesy anecdote that would segue way into a match report describing an awesome Arsenal performance.

One really does not get what one wants.

If the whole match today was a mirror of the first half, my weekend would have been made.  I would have been singing Arsenal chants all the way home.  Instead I had to sulk while driving which is not pleasant and seems to make the journey even longer.

We started off incredibly well.  Four goals scored in under 30 minutes will brighten anyone's day.  It was sublime work with great finishing by Theo, Robin, and Djourou.  Arshavin had two great assists and Cesc was making his usual incredible passing.  We went into halftime up 4-0.  I was thinking that the game could end with a 6-0 scoreline.  That's how hungry we looked for a goal and how poor Newcastle were looking as well.  My only concern was that Newcastle would come out with a strategy to kick us more to slow us down.  Dowd didn't seemed inclined to call fouls in the first half and with the likes of Barton on the Newcastle side, it was  reasonable assumption.  What I didn't count on was a lack of discipline from our players.

Newcastle did come out kicking at us with Dowd expectantly not calling much.  I at first figured he was feeling sorry for the Magpies.  I have since decided he is just an incompetent official which has probably been apparent to many of you out there for quite some time.  What I did not expect was Diaby reacting to a reckless tackle by Barton and shoving him to the ground...rightly earning a sending off.  Now, we all know that Barton is a thug.  He went through Diaby to get the ball with both feet off the ground.  It was reckless and potentially injury causing.  Diaby got up seemingly uninjured however, and proceeded to earn his card.  Didn't he remember that he was filling in for an injured Song and potential backup Denilson?  Did he forget that he just returned from his millionth injury and could have used midfield injuries to get playing time under his belt?  Did he worry about Arsenal going down to 10 men?  Did he think at all?  I don't think so. 

Oh, and did Barton get any sort of card for his tackle?  Was it his first reckless tackle on Diaby in the match?  Was Diaby his only victim?  Nope.  Nope. And nope.  He took out Arshavin also...no card for any of his fouls. He should get a card just for that haircut he sports around.  Blech.

Anyway, we went down to 10 men in the 50th minute which was a blow that would be particularly felt in the back as Johann had limped off to be subbed by Squillaci a minute earlier.  So, two players who were beating Newcastle to headers were gone.  Losing headers was the name of the game after that.

St. James' Park seemed to roar to life after that incident, and its players gained momentum from their 12th man's energy.  But it was still 4-0.  I was confident we could hold out for 40 minutes.  Other teams Arsenal have played who have gone down to 10 men seem to tighten up...they have been hard to break down.  Arsenal had shown some mettle in recent games.  I was mad at Diaby and Dowd...but not worried.

The next incident had me a little concerned.  Koz fouled Best in the box and Barton converted the penalty.  I knew that if we answered back, Newcastle would break.  But we didn't.  Instead we began giving away free kick after free kick interspersed with corners.  Best finally brought down a cross from the left wing without being offsides, beat Clichy to the header and shot under Chezzers for a second goal.  It was then the sinking feeling in my gut surfaced.

Dowd continued to show ineptitude by calling a second penalty on Koz (Rozicky?) for going up for a header alongside a Newcastle player whose name escapes me now.  No one had control of the ball.  It was a 50-50.  Ridiculous call in my opinion.

Barton converted again.  4-3.  Gulp.

It was all Newcastle steam after that.  We were barely in our own territory and seemed unable to win any header or second ball off a header.  Robin and Cesc seemed to disappear.  Only Spiky Jack seemed to be still running around intent on breaking up play and surging forward.  Of course, he did give away (I think) the free kick that led to Newcastle's fourth goal.  The free kick rebounded out to Tiote who cracked a beautiful volley into the left side, beating Chezzers.  It has to be said it was a well taken shot.  But we gave that to them by conceding the free kick in the first place.

So instead of three points and a bucketful of goals, we drop two points, lose a player for three games, maybe lose a center back to injury, lose face, momentum, and perhaps some confidence.  It was just a lousy result all the way around.  I'm sure the next few days, pundits will resume their talks of Arsenal's lack of leadership and weak spine.  After today's second half performance, I cannot whole heartedly disagree. 

Oh well, we have a whole week off and don't play until next Saturday when we take on another physical team at the Emirates - the Wolves.  We will, however, have some players out on International duty.  At the time of writing this, Manchester United have lost to the said Wolves 2-1.  I guess there is some luck today for us.

Maybe later in the week, I'll compose that witty article describing my abduction...erm..absence.  Until then, sulking is the main item on my agenda - like most of you I suspect.  Try and have a good one Gooners.  If you can.