Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'something'

[Liam]

Boring game but good result for all the top teams around these two really. Difference between Arsenal winning the league and not is a world class striker, because in tight games like these in the big games a world class striker will finish the chance Giroud had. He's been excellent this season but misses far too many to deliver a title. That's what makes Suarez/Agueor and RVP last season the difference in the end.

[Guest]

Giroud…..........thank you & goodnight.

Truly shocking. Arsenal never winning anything with him.

[Guest]

Giroud…..........thank you & goodnight.

Truly shocking. Arsenal never winning anything with him.

  

[socal1976]

Great in between mourinho's grindingly boring tactics and mike Dean's incompetent officiating the joy of football has officially been grounded out of the game. Ivanovic grazes Ozil's face with his boot and Dean calls a throw. Mikel goes late and hard on Arteta and not even a foul on what was a redcard offense. Ramirez lunges out way late and high and all he gets is a yellow. FA will you please fire this incompetent tw-t? Probably not, the FA loves rewarding incompetence.

[socal1976]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Of course Socal, all three were definite red cards instead of being borderline calls that you would only call for a red card when it's your own team playing. Arsenals problem is they can't score against teams that are well set up defensively, plan A fails and there is no plan B or C.

[Guest]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

Hate that cliche. It is bollox.

[It Must Be Love]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

They didn't even out last season, according to the 'debatable decisions' stats page Arsenal actually benefited on the whole from dodgy decisions.

[Liam]

Of course Socal, all three were definite red cards instead of being borderline calls that you would only call for a red card when it's your own team playing. Arsenals problem is they can't score against teams that are well set up defensively, plan A fails and there is no plan B or C.

Which has been the same old story for the last few seasons now. Utd showed the way when they played them when Arsenal were flying and Utd were playing darn right awful. Yet still knew the right game plan and crucially, had the one thing Arsenal didn't have, a world class striker that only needs one chance and he buries it. Aguero/Suarez would have nailed Giroud's chance tonight.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Great in between mourinho's grindingly boring tactics and mike Dean's incompetent officiating the joy of football has officially been grounded out of the game. Ivanovic grazes Ozil's face with his boot and Dean calls a throw. Mikel goes late and hard on Arteta and not even a foul on what was a redcard offense. Ramirez lunges out way late and high and all he gets is a yellow. FA will you please fire this incompetent tw-t? Probably not, the FA loves rewarding incompetence.

Oh dear this post is a complete #headsgone

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Solid game. That's the Chelsea that wins titles. They came for a draw, maybe nick it, and got it. Well done to them.

City and Liverpool loved it

[socal1976]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

They didn't even out last season, according to the 'debatable decisions' stats page Arsenal actually benefited on the whole from dodgy decisions.

bumholes opinion means nothing to me, any j-off can open a site and if they were ex-referees all the worse, after watching Dean officiate the game. Oh yeah I suppose a boot 5 and half feet off the ground grazing Ozil's cheek is a borderline foul are you serious? His missed call nearly started a riot. I hope next time Suarez bites his ugly fcuking ear off.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Cech makes an incredible save against Giroud.

Imperative Arsenal didnt lose, think a point is a good result for both and a great result for this title race

[Guest]

Of course Socal, all three were definite red cards instead of being borderline calls that you would only call for a red card when it's your own team playing. Arsenals problem is they can't score against teams that are well set up defensively, plan A fails and there is no plan B or C.

Aguero/Suarez would have nailed Giroud's chance tonight.

While I can partially agree with this I can't entirely. Let's say the shot was on target, who's to say that it wouldn't have been saved.

I'd have fancied Aguero and Suarez to hit it between the posts but would it have gone in? We'll never know.

Both of the South Americans have missed easy chances, believe it or not. Giroud seems like an easy target at times.

Arsenal were average all over the park tonight.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

They didn't even out last season, according to the 'debatable decisions' stats page Arsenal actually benefited on the whole from dodgy decisions.

bumholes opinion means nothing to me, any j-off can open a site and if they were ex-referees all the worse, after watching Dean officiate the game. Oh yeah I suppose a boot 5 and half feet off the ground grazing Ozil's cheek is a borderline foul are you serious? His missed call nearly started a riot. I hope next time Suarez bites his ugly fcuking ear off.

There was a header when Giroud's arm brushed Terry's face in the second half also. Should've been sent off obviously   

[Liam]

Chelsea desperately need a striker. Shocking how average Ba, Torres and Eto'o are. Diego Costa anyone? or maybe slightly left field in maybe Dzecko?

[socal1976]

Ok down near Chelsea's goal, Ivanovic with a high boot grazes Ozil's cheek, I am not saying that is a red, it should have been a blooming free kick from a dangerous area instead that incompetent tw-t calls it a throw. It was a card and a free kick, as obvious as water is freaking wet.

[Guest]

Chelsea desperately need a striker. Shocking how average Ba, Torres and Eto'o are. Diego Costa anyone? or maybe slightly left field in maybe Dzecko?

You have to wonder whether Mourinho seriously regrets letting Lukaku go. Probably not cos he's Mourinho, but still.

Can't see City selling Dzecko to a rival.

[It Must Be Love]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

They didn't even out last season, according to the 'debatable decisions' stats page Arsenal actually benefited on the whole from dodgy decisions.

bumholes opinion means nothing to me, any j-off can open a site and if they were ex-referees all the worse, after watching Dean officiate the game. Oh yeah I suppose a boot 5 and half feet off the ground grazing Ozil's cheek is a borderline foul are you serious? His missed call nearly started a riot. I hope next time Suarez bites his ugly fcuking ear off.

Right. I think you're getting a bit too annoyed here Socal.

Firstly I think the site is quite trustworthy and seems to be quite impartial.
Secondly I recognise today's game had mistakes by the ref, which didn't play in Arsenal's favour, but I doubt if it was the other way round you would be as infuriated.

To cheer you up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg7jYCcvO4U

[socal1976]

Of course Socal, all three were definite red cards instead of being borderline calls that you would only call for a red card when it's your own team playing. Arsenals problem is they can't score against teams that are well set up defensively, plan A fails and there is no plan B or C.

Aguero/Suarez would have nailed Giroud's chance tonight.

While I can partially agree with this I can't entirely. Let's say the shot was on target, who's to say that it wouldn't have been saved.

I'd have fancied Aguero and Suarez to hit it between the posts but would it have gone in? We'll never know.

Both of the South Americans have missed easy chances, believe it or not. Giroud seems like an easy target at times.

Arsenal were average all over the park tonight.

I agree but there was only one team trying to win the match and they did create a couple of good chances in the second half. Arsenal should have played better can't say they deserved the victory frankly. Still doesn't change my opinion that Dean is an incompetent idiot and should be officiating 8 year old girls playing in the park. Also doesn't change my opinion that Mourinho's teams are joyless and dull.

[socal1976]

Shockingly, poor officiating, I keep hearing they all even out, yeah fcuking right.

They didn't even out last season, according to the 'debatable decisions' stats page Arsenal actually benefited on the whole from dodgy decisions.

bumholes opinion means nothing to me, any j-off can open a site and if they were ex-referees all the worse, after watching Dean officiate the game. Oh yeah I suppose a boot 5 and half feet off the ground grazing Ozil's cheek is a borderline foul are you serious? His missed call nearly started a riot. I hope next time Suarez bites his ugly fcuking ear off.

Right. I think you're getting a bit too annoyed here Socal.

Firstly I think the site is quite trustworthy and seems to be quite impartial.
Secondly I recognise today's game had mistakes by the ref, which didn't play in Arsenal's favour, but I doubt if it was the other way round you would be as infuriated.

To cheer you up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg7jYCcvO4U

Thanks, didn't cheer me up

[It Must Be Love]

Thanks, didn't cheer me up

How could it possibly not have, did you not enjoy Rooney's dive and then goal (all on his birthday!)

[It Must Be Love]

Imagine if Chelsea had Sturridge and Lukaku.

[Liam]

Ok,

- The challenge on Walcott is definitely a pen imo. Don't see how he doesn't agree from his angle tbh.
- The Mikel challenge for me is a definite yellow but not a red. They've both gone in identical and for me there is not intent from Mikel to hurt Arteta. Of course it was nasty and i'm happy Arteta isn't hurt but its a 50/50 with both players going in in similar fashion.

[Guest]

I think Man Utd will be the big movers in the next 6 games. They have a very favourable set of fixtures coming up.

[socal1976]

Ok,

- The challenge on Walcott is definitely a pen imo. Don't see how he doesn't agree from his angle tbh.
- The Mikel challenge for me is a definite yellow but not a red. They've both gone in identical and for me there is not intent from Mikel to hurt Arteta. Of course it was nasty and i'm happy Arteta isn't hurt but its a 50/50 with both players going in in similar fashion.

What about Ivanovic's high boot on Ozil's face is that a throw in? I almost forget about the penalty on theo. Dean was ridiculous, shockingly ridiculous. Oh yeah nothing to see here, it all even's out in the end cliches to keep you warm. Fair enough on the yellow card for Mikel, but Dean the dumb sod didn't even call a foul.

[LastDamnation]

At least we've now got man city and chelsea out the way and still above them, both playing liverpool soon, need to get back to winning against the rest now

[socal1976]

Amazing two points separating the top 5 sides, what a great race.

[Guest]

Amazing two points separating the top 5 sides, what a great race.

Decent ain't it. Can't remember a season this good since the PL's inception.

[Liam]

Ok,

- The challenge on Walcott is definitely a pen imo. Don't see how he doesn't agree from his angle tbh.
- The Mikel challenge for me is a definite yellow but not a red. They've both gone in identical and for me there is not intent from Mikel to hurt Arteta. Of course it was nasty and i'm happy Arteta isn't hurt but its a 50/50 with both players going in in similar fashion.

What about Ivanovic's high boot on Ozil's face is that a throw in? I almost forget about the penalty on theo. Dean was ridiculous, shockingly ridiculous. Oh yeah nothing to see here, it all even's out in the end cliches to keep you warm. Fair enough on the yellow card for Mikel, but Dean the dumb sod didn't even call a foul.

He had eyes for the ball and got it. In Europe its a free kick but won't see it so much in the prem. IMO, probably a free kick but nothing more. The fact Dean didn't give anything to Mikel or a free kick is beyond. I've never liked Dean because he does seem to be quite patronizing and up himself tbh. No time for that, just as bad as the players themselves.

[socal1976]

Amazing two points separating the top 5 sides, what a great race.

Decent ain't it. Can't remember a season this good since the PL's inception.

Yes this is a proper league now with a number of teams that can win it. Not like the coronations in Spain and Germany, I think the league will be decided the last week of the season as it should.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont know if I think Walcott's is a penalty. I don't know if the contact actually impedes him, kind of feel like it had no impact on him going down except for the fact he felt pure contact so went down.

But then, thats why players feel the need to go down, cos they get fouled and then don't get anything.

[socal1976]

Walcott's penalty was only one of half dozen bogus Dean decisions that seemingly all went to Chelsea's favor. Ivanovic high boot getting called a throw in. Ramires' lunging high tackle was a red cardable offense and reckless as was Mikel's challenge which was not even called a foul. Dean should be fired, but he won't because the FA are a bunch of cowards.

[Duty281]

Walcott's penalty was only one of half dozen bogus Dean decisions that seemingly all went to Chelsea's favor. Ivanovic high boot getting called a throw in. Ramires' lunging high tackle was a red cardable offense and reckless as was Mikel's challenge which was not even called a foul. Dean should be fired, but he won't because the FA are a bunch of cowards.

Is it...is it....yes! It's another conspiracy!

[Mike Selig]

Mikel's challenge which was not even called a foul

I know you've repeated this x times, but IIRC Dean played advantage for the challenge (from which Arsenal could have had a penalty) so don't think it's true.

As to the litigious calls:
- I thought the challenge on Walcott was a penalty any day of the week. It's cute forward play, he gets himself between the ball and the "defender" (in this case a winger); Willian made a clumsy challenge, and IMO from Dean's angle you should give a penalty. Poor decision.
- Mikel on Arteta was borderline IMO. I thought the debate between Carragher and Neville was very interesting, and both had good points. I wouldn't argue too much against a RC with the way the game is usually reffed nowadays, but can understand Neville's PoV also.
- Ramires yellow was right: high foot yes but no excessive force and caught a foot rather than a standing leg or anything more serious.
- Ivanovic on Ozil was a free kick certainly. Wouldn't argue too much against a card either.

On the other hand, I thought Rosicky was lucky with the yellow when he swiped whoever it was from behind, and there were numerous subtle cynical fouls on Hazard (shirt-pulling and clipping heels mainly - particularly in the first 20 minutes or so) which weren't picked up by Dean either. Overall I think he clearly went in with a mind to let the game flow, so let a lot of marginal things slide, for both teams; the game could have been reffed with a different mindset entirely, but I thought he was consistent, calm and clear, and kept a good lid on things when they threatened to bubble over. Aside from the Walcott pen non-call, I thought he had a pretty good game overall.

Arsenal fans may want to look a bit closer to home as to why they produced absolutely nothing for 80+ minutes against a fairly average (IMO) Chelsea side.

[socal1976]

Mikel's challenge which was not even called a foul

I know you've repeated this x times, but IIRC Dean played advantage for the challenge (from which Arsenal could have had a penalty) so don't think it's true.

As to the litigious calls:
- I thought the challenge on Walcott was a penalty any day of the week. It's cute forward play, he gets himself between the ball and the "defender" (in this case a winger); Willian made a clumsy challenge, and IMO from Dean's angle you should give a penalty. Poor decision.
- Mikel on Arteta was borderline IMO. I thought the debate between Carragher and Neville was very interesting, and both had good points. I wouldn't argue too much against a RC with the way the game is usually reffed nowadays, but can understand Neville's PoV also.
- Ramires yellow was right: high foot yes but no excessive force and caught a foot rather than a standing leg or anything more serious.
- Ivanovic on Ozil was a free kick certainly. Wouldn't argue too much against a card either.

On the other hand, I thought Rosicky was lucky with the yellow when he swiped whoever it was from behind, and there were numerous subtle cynical fouls on Hazard (shirt-pulling and clipping heels mainly - particularly in the first 20 minutes or so) which weren't picked up by Dean either. Overall I think he clearly went in with a mind to let the game flow, so let a lot of marginal things slide, for both teams; the game could have been reffed with a different mindset entirely, but I thought he was consistent, calm and clear, and kept a good lid on things when they threatened to bubble over. Aside from the Walcott pen non-call, I thought he had a pretty good game overall.

Arsenal fans may want to look a bit closer to home as to why they produced absolutely nothing for 80+ minutes against a fairly average (IMO) Chelsea side.

By your own admission the ref missed a penalty, a 50/50 red card that got no card at all, and a free kick ALL IN FAVOR OF chelsea and you still make the conclusion that he was fair. Rosicky did nothing approaching the fouls we saw on Arteta and as for Hazard I didn't see much done to him in comparison to Ivanovic's karate kick that glanced Ozil's cheek or compared to the kicks that Arteta received. I mean that would have really been fair to throw out Rosicky after what he had let Chelsea get away with? The ref had a howler and he was not consistent by your own viewing he missed a card, a penalty, and a free kick that should have gone Arsenal's way.

And to top it off he gave Theo a ridiculous yellow card for his first foul when theo barely clipped the players heel and was actually pulling out of the challenge.

Don't get me wrong I am not happy with the way ARsenal played at all, they probably didn't deserve more than a point. But again that does not absolve Dean from letting Chelsea kick Arsenal all around the field while he plays Sargeant Schulz. He was not balanced or fair in anyway. And part of the reason they couldn't play was 1. Mourinho's negative tactics and 2. Sargeant Schulz DEan letting them get kicked all around the field and 3. the torrential rain did impact the passing a bit as well. That being said Dean is still an incompetent and should not be officiating in the premier league at the least they should suspend him a match or two and sit his ass down and go over that tape with him.

[socal1976]

Referee Mike Dean did nothing to assuage the North London conspiracy theorists, who see way beyond mere coincidence in Arsenal’s bleak record when this particular veteran official mans the middle.

According to (admittedly unverified independently) reports, Arsenal’s record now stands at a rather inglorious 1-9-6 (W-L-T) since the 2009-10 season in contests with Dean in charge.

That wouldn’t be such a big, hairy, scary and telling number if we were speaking of Crystal Palace or Sunderland or some other bedraggled side from the relegation brigade. But this is Arsenal, a club that fights for top-four stuff each year.

The Daily Mail’s enlightening report on all this from a few months back made the comparison between Arsenal’s meager mark and the far better records for Manchester United and Chelsea with Dean in charge.

But it’s not just the raw data that is rubbing Gunners supporters so, well, “raw” tonight. All but one of the big refereeing decisions from Monday’s heavy-weather clash with Chelsea went the way of the Blues. (Stating the presumed obvious here, Dean was in charge of Monday’s derby.)

There was Jon Obi Mikel’s awful challenge on Mike Arteta, a real potential leg breaker there. It certainly looked red card-worthy, a sentiment agreed upon by members of NBC’s broadcast team. (Considering Mikel’s good work on Gunners playmaker Mesut Ozil, the dour match may have looked quite a bit different had Chelsea’s defensive midfielder been sent off 10 minutes prior to intermission.)

(MORE: Arsenal and Chelsea go scoreless on night of weather, refereeing talk)

Minutes later came the home team’s penalty appeal as Willian tripped Theo Walcott inside the 18. U.S. international goalkeeper Tim Howard – who no longer has that vaguely menacing beard to potentially distract his view – was guesting once again for NBCSN, and he said he would have pointed to the spot, no doubt.

Later a dangerously high challenge from Branislav Ivanovic on Ozil nearly put things into “full-on” donnybrook alert. That one drew no booking, either.


http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/23/referee-mike-deans-record-in-arsenal-matches-will-continue-to-be-scrutinized/

[socal1976]

Interesting fact, Chelsea's win percentage in the last 15 matches with Mike Dean is 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN Arsenal's. Mourhino praises Dean, calls Arsenal's foreign players crybabies, and stands up for English values. The plot thickens you can't make this crap up.

Dean has given 106 penalties in 312 League matches for an average of a penalty every three games.
Dean has given 20 penalties in 40 Man U matches (13 for United, 7 against) for an average of one penalty every other match.
Dean has given 19 penalties in 50 Chelsea matches (11 for Chelsea, 8 against) for an average of one penalty every 2.6 matches.
Removing United and Chelsea from his penalty stats, Dean has given 67 penalties in 222 games for an average of one penalty every 3.3 matches.
Dean has given just 7 penalties (2 for Arsenal, 5 against) in all 46 Arsenal matches for an average of 1 penalty every 6.7 matches.
Dean has not awarded Arsenal a penalty in 23 matches — the longest drought of any team he has refereed.


The coincidences keep piling up for Mike "the Italian Job/referee" Dean. Not one penalty in 23 matches for Arsenal. Mike I hear the serie A needs another referee. Wait there are no such things as conspiracies or dirty referees in football just talk to the people at Juventus. Dean awards United a penalty every 3 matches, he awards Chelsea a penalty every 4.5 matches. Things that make you say hmmmmmmm. And has given Arsenal's opponents 250 percent more penalties than he has given Arsenal.

[socal1976]

Is this Mike Dean celebrating a Tottenham goal against Arsenal? You be the judge.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLdMNZR6QDM

[Duty281]

I might have two cracked ribs from laughing so hard, but please don't stop Socal!

[hampo17]

I have never seen anybody with such a complex. You actually believe that the referees are against Arsenal

[Bull]

Interesting fact, Chelsea's win percentage in the last 15 matches with Mike Dean is 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN Arsenal's. Mourhino praises Dean, calls Arsenal's foreign players crybabies, and stands up for English values. The plot thickens you can't make this crap up.

Dean has given 106 penalties in 312 League matches for an average of a penalty every three games.
Dean has given 20 penalties in 40 Man U matches (13 for United, 7 against) for an average of one penalty every other match.
Dean has given 19 penalties in 50 Chelsea matches (11 for Chelsea, 8 against) for an average of one penalty every 2.6 matches.
Removing United and Chelsea from his penalty stats, Dean has given 67 penalties in 222 games for an average of one penalty every 3.3 matches.
Dean has given just 7 penalties (2 for Arsenal, 5 against) in all 46 Arsenal matches for an average of 1 penalty every 6.7 matches.
Dean has not awarded Arsenal a penalty in 23 matches — the longest drought of any team he has refereed.


The coincidences keep piling up for Mike "the Italian Job/referee" Dean. Not one penalty in 23 matches for Arsenal. Mike I hear the serie A needs another referee. Wait there are no such things as conspiracies or dirty referees in football just talk to the people at Juventus. Dean awards United a penalty every 3 matches, he awards Chelsea a penalty every 4.5 matches. Things that make you say hmmmmmmm. And has given Arsenal's opponents 250 percent more penalties than he has given Arsenal.

  The conspiracies have no end!

[Duty281]

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/michael-dean/bilanz/schiedsrichter_379.html

Look at Leeds United Socal! 1 penalty for them in twenty games refereed by Dean, and 5 against.

Are Leeds being done up like a kipper as well?

Oh and Arsenal have had less penalties given against them by Dean than Chelsea, United, Tottenham, or City. How does that work into your conspiracy?

[Lumbering_Jack]

I think the main reason he didn't give a pen was because it was a shambles of a dive.

And Mikel wasn't red carded because it was a fair challenge. If we overlook these clear facts then I suppose he may have a case to answer.

[J.Benson II]

Decisions go for and against teams. Its part of football. Just accept it and move on.
People just remember the decisions that go against their teams and ignore the ones that go in favour.

Not sure why Duty though is dismissive of Socal's victim mentality when he does exactly the same with England's games.

[J.Benson II]

As for the game itself, dull as dishwater.
Looks like Chelsea are playing for 0-0 draws everytime they come up against a top team away from home.
Arsenal now really need to quality foward. Giroud is so passive its unreal. Its almost like he doesnt even want to find himself in a goal scoring position as he has no confidence he'll score it.   

[Hulking_up]

I don't know if the contact actually impedes him, kind of feel like it had no impact on him going down except for the fact he felt pure contact so went down.

I think the commentary nailed it when they said Walcott went down because he felt the contact rather then the contact causing him to go down.

[Lumbering_Jack]

I don't know if the contact actually impedes him, kind of feel like it had no impact on him going down except for the fact he felt pure contact so went down.

I think the commentary nailed it when they said Walcott went down because he felt the contact rather then the contact causing him to go down.

So he dived to the floor then. He should be booked.

[It Must Be Love]

Socal, where's your source for this stuff?

[Mike Selig]

Mikel's challenge which was not even called a foul

I know you've repeated this x times, but IIRC Dean played advantage for the challenge (from which Arsenal could have had a penalty) so don't think it's true.

As to the litigious calls:
- I thought the challenge on Walcott was a penalty any day of the week. It's cute forward play, he gets himself between the ball and the "defender" (in this case a winger); Willian made a clumsy challenge, and IMO from Dean's angle you should give a penalty. Poor decision.
- Mikel on Arteta was borderline IMO. I thought the debate between Carragher and Neville was very interesting, and both had good points. I wouldn't argue too much against a RC with the way the game is usually reffed nowadays, but can understand Neville's PoV also.
- Ramires yellow was right: high foot yes but no excessive force and caught a foot rather than a standing leg or anything more serious.
- Ivanovic on Ozil was a free kick certainly. Wouldn't argue too much against a card either.

On the other hand, I thought Rosicky was lucky with the yellow when he swiped whoever it was from behind, and there were numerous subtle cynical fouls on Hazard (shirt-pulling and clipping heels mainly - particularly in the first 20 minutes or so) which weren't picked up by Dean either. Overall I think he clearly went in with a mind to let the game flow, so let a lot of marginal things slide, for both teams; the game could have been reffed with a different mindset entirely, but I thought he was consistent, calm and clear, and kept a good lid on things when they threatened to bubble over. Aside from the Walcott pen non-call, I thought he had a pretty good game overall.

Arsenal fans may want to look a bit closer to home as to why they produced absolutely nothing for 80+ minutes against a fairly average (IMO) Chelsea side.

By your own admission the ref missed a penalty, a 50/50 red card that got no card at all, and a free kick ALL IN FAVOR OF  chelsea and you still make the conclusion that he was fair. Rosicky did nothing approaching the fouls we saw on Arteta and as for Hazard I didn't see much done to him in comparison to Ivanovic's karate kick that glanced Ozil's cheek or compared to the kicks that Arteta received. I mean that would have really been fair to throw out Rosicky after what he had let Chelsea get away with? The ref had a howler and he was not consistent by your own viewing he missed a card, a penalty, and a free kick that should have gone Arsenal's way.

And to top it off he gave Theo a ridiculous yellow card for his first foul when theo barely clipped the players heel and was actually pulling out of the challenge.

Don't get me wrong I am not happy with the way ARsenal played at all, they probably didn't deserve more than a point. But again that does not absolve Dean from letting Chelsea kick Arsenal all around the field while he plays Sargeant Schulz. He was not balanced or fair in anyway. And part of the reason they couldn't play was 1. Mourinho's negative tactics and 2. Sargeant Schulz DEan letting them get kicked all around the field and 3. the torrential rain did impact the passing a bit as well. That being said Dean is still an incompetent and should not be officiating in the premier league at the least they should suspend him a match or two and sit his ass down and go over that tape with him.

You're right, those particular decisions went against Arsenal. He also missed 4 clear free-kicks for Chelsea for fouls on Hazard (3) and Willian (1), all similar shirt-tugs or heel clips from behind but the Chelsea wingers stayed on their feet and lost control as a result of the sly fouls; he also gave Arsenal defenders 2 non-existent free-kicks when the Chelsea strikers closed them down and they either slipped or just fell in order to get a foul. Rosicky's YC IMO was as much of a 50-50 RC as Mikel's.

So yes, he missed things for both sides (you would know this if you opened both eyes, but overall kept good control of the game. He was a darn sight better than most of the 22 players on the pitch TBH.

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