augie wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 10:20 ammcdowell42 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2024 7:30 pmPremier League clubs have reportedly sent concerns about 'gamesmanship' and Arsenal's repeated use of the "dark arts" throughout last season to the PGMOL
Out of curiousity, are we now saying that our players DO NOT take the piss slowing up kick outs and going down with "injuries" ? It was discussed on here numerous times last season and the feelings expressed at the time was that we def have been taking the piss at times, so why are we getting all defensive on it now ?? All teams do it at times, and while I do think we do it more than most, I cant say that for sure cos I watch our games more than I do other teams. The slowing down kick outs started when ramsdale was first choice so that is telling you how long we have been doing it. There are times I am ok with us doing it, and there are times when I feel that we are too obvious about it and are inviting trouble on ourselves, but I'm not gonna go all scouse-like and play the victim card cos nasty people are highlighting something that we actually do
To be honest augie, you're right about the time taken with throw ins and corners and was irritating the fuck out of me last season, firstly because I don't know what it's supposed to achieve and secondly because it invites scrutiny and trouble, as you say.
That said, I don't think we do the going down with fake injuries anywhere near as much as most other teams and we've been on the receiving end of the fake head injury and other bullshit endlessly over the last coupe of seasons. I can't recall one "head injury" situation from us on Sunday and the ref showed fuck all sympathy with the three players with cramp, yet all three went off (Calafiori, Timber and Martinelli). All three had perfprmed very well and I'm convinced that had they been able to play on, we wouldn't have conceded that late equaliser.
I take your point that we have made a rod for our own back with the throw-in and corner nonsense, but we are being unfairly targeted for Sunday ...remember the ball in play stats....and there's a concerted effort to demonise us. It's back to the Fergie propaganda days. I'm not one to usually buy into the conspiracy theories and I like to think I judge pretty impartially, but I'm pissed off over this campaign to single us out.
Also, there can be no doubt that there's been "two tier" refereeing over the bookings for delaying the restart and when players in other teams are getting away with it week in week out, then the authorities know it's indefensible. I said yesterday on here that the accusations about dark arts have been a distraction to divert attention away from the obvious inconsistent refereeing. Worse still, these accusations of dark arts will make refs even more anti us.
As Joseph Heller said, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."
Mikel Arteta on Manchester City players' comments on Arsenal's methods: 
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