As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
The fucking Tiny Totts are up in arms, great to see
Takes some neck for them now to be outraged all of a sudden when they barley kicked a ball in December and no showed the European Zenith Data Systems Trophy in order to give Conte time to bed in with the squad
CAAAAAAAANTS.
They are claiming to be "Un-intended Consequences" of this rule.
The thing is I would have been Shocked had the tottyScum reacted and said anything positive... They need all the help they can get knowing full well that regardless of recent seasons they ARE In THE Arsenal's shadow and always will be, we ARE a BIG Club - They have yearned and dreamed of being a Big(ish) club for all their history...
Tottenham Hotspur say they are "extremely surprised" at the decision to call off Sunday's Premier League derby at home to Arsenal.
The Gunners' request to postpone the game, as they did not have enough players, was granted on Saturday.
Premier League rules say clubs can apply for postponements if Covid-19 is a factor in teams having fewer than 13 players and a goalkeeper available.
Spurs believe there are now "unintended consequences" of this rule..
"This follows an application from Arsenal to the Premier League on the basis of a combination of Covid, existing and recent injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
"We are extremely surprised that this application has been approved," Tottenham said in a statement.
"The original intention of the guidance was to deal with player availability directly affected by Covid cases, resulting in depleted squads that when taken together with injuries would result in the club being unable to field a team.
"We do not believe it was the intent to deal with player availability unrelated to Covid.
"We may now be seeing the unintended consequences of this rule. It is important to have clarity and consistency on the application of the rule."
'The Premier League must stop this now'
Then of course rat faced spineless chopsyCUNT-Neville has to get his 2 pence worth dig in while he can.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, now a television pundit, believes the Premier League must make changes to the rules.
"What started out as postponements due to a pandemic has now become about clubs not having their best team," Neville tweeted.
"The Premier League must stop this now, draw a line in the sand and say all games go ahead unless you have an exceptional amount of Covid cases. It's wrong."
Report
Arsenal have Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe on Cup of Nations duty, while Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka and Calum Chambers all picked up injuries in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg draw against Liverpool on Thursday.
Granit Xhaka was also suspended for Sunday after he was sent off in the first half at Anfield and Martin Odegaard missed the game through illness.
Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin and ex-England defender Matthew Upson echoed Neville's sentiments.
"I sympathise with everyone and I understand the situation but this is where is starts to get a little bit blurry as to what is allowed and what isn't," Upson told BBC Radio 5Live.
"There is a combination of reasons why Arsenal's squad is so thin, where do you draw the line? It is a really sensible question to ask. It needs real clarity. It needs to be down to Covid but all these other situations happen and you have to deal with it."
"Is this the same with everybody? What goes on? Can you just have a look around your squad and think, 'You know what, we could do with him playing... hold on a minute, he's got Covid,'," Dublin added.
"We just don't know what's going on. From the outside looking in, it looks like clubs are thinking they want a stronger side for a certain game and so they're asking for it to be called off. It's a confusing situation."
The Gunners said they "reluctantly" requested a postponement and were "disappointed" that the game had to be called off.
It is the second Premier League game scheduled for this weekend to be postponed after Burnley's game against Leicester City was called off on Friday because of because of Covid-19 and injuries in the Clarets camp.
The Premier League said: "All clubs are able to apply for a postponement if Covid-19 infections are a factor in their request.
"Postponement rules are designed to protect the wellbeing of players and staff, while maintaining the sporting integrity of the competition.
"Club requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and adapted Covid-19 postponement guidance, implemented in light of the Omicron variant.
"The board examines a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of Covid-19, and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.
"The detail within all applications is scrutinised by the league's specialist staff before the board makes its decision."
What they should have done was allow Covid cases only from the outset to be the factor for postponements. Any player unavailable for any other reason at the time would not be eligible for the rearranged game. That would also include false positive bollox as that only came to light the day after (miraculously). They can't shut the stable door now.
Got to admit I'm surprised they accepted the club's request. I don't agree with games being postponed for player illness/ absence. All the premier league clubs were able to fulfill their fa cup ties. Premier League need to review their rules. On this forum we felt Liverpool pulled a fast one on us, so I guess that's how Spurs are feeling. As long as we can carry over xhaka's suspension to the rescheduled game I'll be happy.
What they should have done was allow Covid cases only from the outset to be the factor for postponements. Any player unavailable for any other reason at the time would not be eligible for the rearranged game. That would also include false positive bollox as that only came to light the day after (miraculously). They can't shut the stable door now.
Agree with that, only problem with it is they shat all over that concept on the opening day when we were forced to play against Brentford but then granted postponements for other clubs in the same situation all throughout December.
What they should have done was allow Covid cases only from the outset to be the factor for postponements. Any player unavailable for any other reason at the time would not be eligible for the rearranged game. That would also include false positive bollox as that only came to light the day after (miraculously). They can't shut the stable door now.
Agree with that, only problem with it is they shat all over that concept on the opening day when we were forced to play against Brentford but then granted postponements for other clubs in the same situation all throughout December.
Totally agree with that Rodders but Omicron changed things after that.
Clubs have worked this loophole well tbf. I don't believe they are using AFCON, suspensions and injuries as legitimate reasons, they are saying that their squads are already depleted because of this so a few covid cases makes picking a team extra hard.
As I say, it's a clever way of working the system to an advantage. Unless you just outright lie as the Scousers* did.
My opinion fwiw is all games should be played regardless. Squads are large enough especially if given special dispensation to add originally unregistered players from youth squads.
Just stick another asterisk at the end of any trophy winner.
We’re still 3-1 down in the covid corruption stakes by the way.
The premier league shafted us at Brentford, Wolves gamed us big time over Christmas and the victims completely pulled our pants down in the league cup but we’ve played an absolute blinder to pull one back against the scum today.
So at 4.30pm today Gary Neville better borrow SteveO's drainage rods as he has nothing else to do.
Neville's missus will be even more disappointed, she was expecting his brother to go over and give her a right seeing to whilst her uggo hubby was off out shooting off his over-sized un-educated gob.
So at 4.30pm today Gary Neville better borrow SteveO's drainage rods as he has nothing else to do.
Neville's missus will be even more disappointed, she was expecting his brother to go over and give her a right seeing to whilst her uggo hubby was off out shooting off his over-sized un-educated gob.
Do you honestly think Gary is uglier than Phil? It's a close call but not that close!
All this "hate" towards Arsenal request to postpone the NLD reminds me of the media campaign against Arsenal between 89-92 after our brawls against Norwich, beating Liverpool at Anfield culminating with the OT handbags that involved 21 players and getting two points deducted. Arteta needs to use this to motivate the players much in the same way Graham did.
Got to admit I'm surprised they accepted the club's request. I don't agree with games being postponed for player illness/ absence. All the premier league clubs were able to fulfill their fa cup ties. Premier League need to review their rules. On this forum we felt Liverpool pulled a fast one on us, so I guess that's how Spurs are feeling. As long as we can carry over xhaka's suspension to the rescheduled game I'll be happy.
Difference being we applied for the postponment in good faith for a decision, in which we are entitled to do so
Liverpool manipulated their request (impossible false positives...closing training centre) to gain a decision in their favour
So at 4.30pm today Gary Neville better borrow SteveO's drainage rods as he has nothing else to do.
Neville's missus will be even more disappointed, she was expecting his brother to go over and give her a right seeing to whilst her uggo hubby was off out shooting off his over-sized un-educated gob.
Do you honestly think Gary is uglier than Phil? It's a close call but not that close!
No, but just the fact she wants someone as; if not Uglier than her Uggo hubby to fuck her speaks volumes about rat face
