So Arsenal can’t handle the rough stuff, then? (20/8)

[gooner.ed]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=389

Usual thread starter… Cesc is the bloody bee’s knees isn’t he. I reckon he knew exactly what he was doing with Repka, and that’s the kind of football intelligence that wins difficult matches. He should refrain from the wind-up afterwards though. Rubbing salt in the wound might feel good, but the victim can come back to haunt you. Just ask Alf-Inge Håland

[Sammy Mooner]

Well I'm gald it wasn't just me who was cheering Cesc's 'tackle'. I thought that if the ref had known what was going on he could have got a red card at the time, but still thought it would have been worth it had he done so.

Repka was playing like an animal and got his - totally politically incorrect - but that's what really made it for me. That said I think it might be expedient to leave Cesc on the bench in the return leg - not because Cesc can't handle it - but because risking injury from a mutant doesn't make much sense.

[U.F.G Anfield '89]

All that skill AND positioning himself to be midfield enforcer, when this guy hits his peak he'll be something really special. Personally i was pleased that we were putting a little more dirt into our play, i don't like that side of the game very much but if everyone else is doing it and the referees don't stop it then why should we hold ourselves to a higher standard. No one gives a shit about fair play awards.

[Rainham Red]

It was Arsenals performence against Sparta and the Blackburn horde that has convinced me we can have a real go in the Premiership this season.Arsenals pretty play together with a new ruthlessness can be the answer.However,I feel Lehmann is now a big weakness and would rather see Almunia between the sticks.
A bit of a blow Gallas being out for three weeks with Djourou and Connolly out on loan just leaves us with Toure and Senderos.I know Gilberto can play at centre back and I believe so can Sagna but it will affect the balance of the team.By the way I think Sagna will be our best buy of the season.

[stearmaster]

common the hlebster

[stearmaster]

i think we handled it very well

[exiled in notts]

Pleased to see the lads standing up for themselves. If it continues, how long will it be before the media come out with all the lame old cobblers about 'Arsenal's disciplinary problems'? Expect lots of stuff about 'x number of red cards since Wenger took over' etc etc.

Remember you heard it here first. No that's bollocks actually. You saw it on a regular basis in every paper when we still had players like Vieira. You see, there's an anti-Arsenal spin for every occasion regardless of how we play. That's the beauty of being a lazy, pissed up plastic Manc with a box of crayons and a job on the Sun. You just regurgitate the same inaccurate cliches and outright lies instead of journalism.