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By Leo Spall
Last updated at 10:58 AM on 02nd December 2009
Leo's London is a hard-hitting column on the big issues around the capital's football clubs. Every Wednesday, Leo Spall will cast his eye over the major talking points in every corner of the city, analysing the Premier League big boys and shining a light on the lower-league sides. So, whether your loyalties lie in the north, west, south or east of London, stick with Sportsmail for the latest views...
His attempt to belittle the contribution of Didier Drogba in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at the Emirates on Sunday and his take on his team’s disallowed goal was not worthy of him.
Wenger was arguing cases that had no merit and it did little to help Arsenal’s cause. Even if it was meant as a distraction from their shortcomings it was doomed to failure, undermined by the flimsiness of the arguments.
Hard to take: Arsenal's players face Didier Drogba's free-kick
This was not Chelsea’s fortunate win against United - Carlo Ancelotti’s side deserved the points at the Emirates. All the outburst seemed to demonstrate was that Wenger is getting desperate.
An awful injury list combined with a squad that lacks title-winning depth appears to have left him with nowhere to turn. If the season is to be salvaged in terms of silverware spending in January is required, which is generally not his style and has meant him changing his approach.
No wonder he looked rattled.
When Carlos Vela goes to ground after the merest suggestion of a touch and calls for a penalty, it is clear the diving debate should still be raging.
The Arsenal striker got nothing for his fall against Chelsea on Sunday when he was under pressure from Branislav Ivanovic but neither was he booked for simulation.
Going down: Carlos Vela
More than three months after the Eduardo furore erupted, referees have failed to stamp out the theatrics. Vela’s fall was a long way away from the worst example of this kind of behaviour.
It could even be argued as a borderline case, but he was looking for a foul and fell at the first opportunity. Contact was a side issue.
If he, and the others behaving like him throughout the leagues, were booked in these circumstances, players would soon think twice about doing it again.
The referees want managers to stamp out diving and perhaps the obligation should be theirs but to expect all of them to act is unrealistic, whatever they say in public.
It has to be down to the officials and if the man in the middle is given license to come down hard on perceived offenders there is a chance of improvement.
Even if it leads to a rash of unfair bookings, it is better than one or two poor penalty awards and would be a price worth paying.
Nicolas Anelka has been repeatedly praised as a ‘new man’ and talked of as Chelsea’s best player who has come out of his shell.
That he is playing supremely well, there is no argument at all. He has been linking play superbly and scoring goals in a formidable partnership with Didier Drogba.
But have people forgotten what he did last season? For those who have, he scored 19 Premier League goals and won the golden boot.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1232552/LEOS-LONDON-Arsene-Wenger-left-turn-problems-mount-Arsenals-Mr-Contrary.html#ixzz0YXYnvJ5U
Last updated at 10:58 AM on 02nd December 2009
Leo's London is a hard-hitting column on the big issues around the capital's football clubs. Every Wednesday, Leo Spall will cast his eye over the major talking points in every corner of the city, analysing the Premier League big boys and shining a light on the lower-league sides. So, whether your loyalties lie in the north, west, south or east of London, stick with Sportsmail for the latest views...
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Arsene Wenger is the sort of manager Arsenal fans can be proud of 99 per cent of the time. But when the usually dignified, urbane ‘professor’ turns into Mr Contrary it is embarrassing.His attempt to belittle the contribution of Didier Drogba in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at the Emirates on Sunday and his take on his team’s disallowed goal was not worthy of him.
Wenger was arguing cases that had no merit and it did little to help Arsenal’s cause. Even if it was meant as a distraction from their shortcomings it was doomed to failure, undermined by the flimsiness of the arguments.
Hard to take: Arsenal's players face Didier Drogba's free-kickThis was not Chelsea’s fortunate win against United - Carlo Ancelotti’s side deserved the points at the Emirates. All the outburst seemed to demonstrate was that Wenger is getting desperate.
An awful injury list combined with a squad that lacks title-winning depth appears to have left him with nowhere to turn. If the season is to be salvaged in terms of silverware spending in January is required, which is generally not his style and has meant him changing his approach.
No wonder he looked rattled.
When Carlos Vela goes to ground after the merest suggestion of a touch and calls for a penalty, it is clear the diving debate should still be raging.
The Arsenal striker got nothing for his fall against Chelsea on Sunday when he was under pressure from Branislav Ivanovic but neither was he booked for simulation.
Going down: Carlos VelaMore than three months after the Eduardo furore erupted, referees have failed to stamp out the theatrics. Vela’s fall was a long way away from the worst example of this kind of behaviour.
It could even be argued as a borderline case, but he was looking for a foul and fell at the first opportunity. Contact was a side issue.
If he, and the others behaving like him throughout the leagues, were booked in these circumstances, players would soon think twice about doing it again.
The referees want managers to stamp out diving and perhaps the obligation should be theirs but to expect all of them to act is unrealistic, whatever they say in public.
It has to be down to the officials and if the man in the middle is given license to come down hard on perceived offenders there is a chance of improvement.
Even if it leads to a rash of unfair bookings, it is better than one or two poor penalty awards and would be a price worth paying.
Nicolas Anelka has been repeatedly praised as a ‘new man’ and talked of as Chelsea’s best player who has come out of his shell.
That he is playing supremely well, there is no argument at all. He has been linking play superbly and scoring goals in a formidable partnership with Didier Drogba.
But have people forgotten what he did last season? For those who have, he scored 19 Premier League goals and won the golden boot.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1232552/LEOS-LONDON-Arsene-Wenger-left-turn-problems-mount-Arsenals-Mr-Contrary.html#ixzz0YXYnvJ5U
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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