Don't Miss

Referee Anthony Taylor Dropped By FA After Arsenal Horror Show

By mac14 on August 19, 2013

Referee Anthony Taylor has been dropped by the FA for this weekends Premier League fixtures after his horror show at the Emirates on Saturday.

While our 3-1 loss can’t be blamed solely on his inept performance, it certainly was a contributing factor as Taylor got several decisions wrong throughout the 90 minutes. As well as giving a number of contentious free-kicks for minor offences, Taylor also drew criticism for a few of the more decisive decisions.

He awarded Villa a penalty even though he had allowed advantage after Szczesny had brought down Agbonlahor in the area. There would have been no complaints had he pointed to the spot straight away but he waived play-on as the goal was at their mercy, but when the Villa player sent the ball wide he awarded a penalty giving the away side a second bite at the cherry.

This one still hasn’t been cleared up as I’m not sure what the exact ruling is, but it is many people’s understanding that once advantage has been played you can’t simply bring it back because Villa missed the chance.

Then of course there was the decision to award a second penalty when Koscielny played the ball. This one was a tough call as from his angle it was difficult to see the touch, but an incorrect call none-the-less and no doubt the game-changing moment. Koscielny was subsequently given a booking – which would not have been the case had the ref correctly awarded a corner instead of the spot kick.

Minutes later he confounded his error by giving Kos a second, and harsh, yellow card. So a goal and a man down due to the ineptitude of the official.

Taylor also completely lost control of the game at times and ended up dishing out four yellows and one red card to Arsenal and five yellow cards to Aston Villa in a game that could be described ‘spikey’ at best.

I’m sure there were other obvious errors from the referee that I haven’t mentioned but it was a truly diabolical display from the man in the middle and he’s rightly been demoted from Premier League duty for the upcoming fixtures.

Howard Webb has been handed our game away at Fulham, hopefully he’ll be able to do a little better.

Arsenal

162 Comments

Arsenal1Again

August 20, 2013 at 11:12 am

Villa were just very lucky they played us when we have many injuries to key players and before we have bought the new players which are likely to arrive soon.

Villa got lucky. It will even itself out over the season. Come next May we will be up there as usual and Villa will be down there somewhere with Sunderland and Swansea.

A harsh truth.

Reply
- Bannatyne84
  
  August 20, 2013 at 11:55 am
  
  Villa were the better team.
  Villa were, however, lucky to run into such a self-pitying and inept football club on the opening day.
  
  Reply
  - Biscuitbum
    
    August 22, 2013 at 11:40 pm
    
    In what way? Villa were awarded 2 contentious penalties, were a man up, even though they should have had a sending of of their own if the ref was sticking to the same criteria. Numerous other decisions wrongly went against Arsenal, who were a man down and pressing for a goal with everyone up, near the end when Villa broke away to score. The only decent goal in a game in which Arsenal had 60% possesion was scored by Giroud.
    
    I`m not complaining too much though, as Villa were hard done by on Wednesday, and it was comical to hear Lambert bleating about the refereeing decisions. They even themselves out don`t they?
    
    Reply
- RyanG
  
  August 20, 2013 at 6:55 pm
  
  I wonder when you will become Champions of Europe, as Aston Villa have been? Keep waiting….
  
  Reply
  - adil
    
    August 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm
    
    I wonder when will villa make it again to Europa let alone champs league!!KEEP WAITING 😉
    
    Reply
  - Biscuitbum
    
    August 22, 2013 at 11:43 pm
    
    Ancient history mate. In the late 18th century Preston were winning everything, and were probably the best team in the world.
    
    Reply
...

August 20, 2013 at 11:20 am

The ref played an important part in the loss. However, we do have to recognise that our team didn’t deserve to win we played poorly and the booing from the fans was totally unacceptable in my opinion. When we’ve got our backs to the wall we really need the fans to become the 12th man and that did not happen. We also made huge mistakes in not buying players earlier in the transfer window. I can see everyone is upset and yes the referee made some very,very, very suspect decisions but we are equally to blame. One of the few things I agree with that MOTD said is that good teams don’t rely so heavily on refereeing decisions. What we need to do is learn from this display and hope that our players don’t make the same mistakes tomorrow and that we buy in at least 3 top quality players before the end of the transfer window.

Reply
- James
  
  August 20, 2013 at 12:35 pm
  
  No the good teams can bank on the referee doing the job for them. Idiot.
  
  Reply
- Raz
  
  August 20, 2013 at 4:23 pm
  
  The booing was totally acceptable. When we spend our hard earned money and get mugged off year after year (selling our best players instead of adding quality players) then we have a right to voice our opinion.
  
  Reply
  - Pst Eteng
    
    August 20, 2013 at 7:39 pm
    
    Eight year without a rubber cup, spending not allowed by one man, the pride of the club going down, and players playing with hard labour. Booing is not enough for wenger but stoning him to dead.
    
    Reply
  - bill
    
    August 20, 2013 at 8:18 pm
    
    Stop going then you imbecile.
    
    Reply
eddie

August 20, 2013 at 11:30 am

The linesman, who was in a perfect position to see Kos’s tackle, didn’t give the penalty but for some reason Taylor, who couldn’t see Sh-t all pointed to the spot… I really hope he is being dropped by the FA, no we can’t blame it all on him as we were under-par to say the least. That said, with his dodgey calls he wound up Wilshire and co something chronic and successfully did enough to put us off our game in a match we were controlling…

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 22, 2013 at 11:46 pm
  
  I console myself that others will have to suffer this clown, let`s hope those teams are playing in the Championship.
  
  Reply
l cooper

August 20, 2013 at 11:50 am

ref are given the games they will be involved in 4 weeks before .the ref was scheduled to to be 4th official weeks ago. stop moaning sort your team out

Reply
NoEllis82

August 20, 2013 at 11:52 am

Wow. Bitter. We didn’t roll over and let you win – which you seem to think is your divine right and you’re getting all p!ssy. First pen, donkey defender lets Gabby skip by him with hardly any effort and your keeper might have been red-carded for that on another day. Second pen was a locked on cert – your donkey defender took out Gabby BEFORE he played the ball, and even at The Emirates that’s a foul pal. Then he dived in just minutes later for a second booking – bye bye! Should Vlaar have had a second yellow too on that basis? Looks like it to me. Get over it – we won (deservedly), you lost (despite the ref, NOT because of him). Overall the ref wasn’t great, but because one of the media favourite (London) teams gets stuffed it’s all about him. Sad, really.

Reply
- James
  
  August 20, 2013 at 12:38 pm
  
  Not sad, true. You watch those 90 minutes and count the decisions that go your way. Let me guess, Taylor is your uncle and you’re all imbred Brums !
  
  Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 22, 2013 at 11:48 pm
  
  Hope you become one of his victims.
  
  Reply
Johnnyf

August 20, 2013 at 11:59 am

You lot are clearly disillusioned, and I guess who can blame you. But both penalty decisions were correct whether you like them or not.

In the first instance the advantage was not realised as Weimann took a snap shot ‘freebie’, it wasn’t as if he has an open goal and the advantage was bought back as it was within the 2-3 second timeframe. On the second occasion Koscielny clearly took the standing leg of Agbonlahor before he took the ball – he wasn’t in control of the tackle and was merely lunging for the ball in hope rather than expectation.

However, I do agree with you the sending off was harsh, and perhaps Vlaar should of been sent off for a second yellow for a similar offence later in the game.

Either way the fans should stop pointing the finger, the fact of the matter is your team deserved to lose and to say that the ref put you ‘off your game’ is farcical.

UTV

Johnny

Reply
Ad

August 20, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Such a bad and inacurate post.

The main point that is incorrect is that the ref has not been dropped.

Secondly, in the laws of the game, he got the first penalty 100% correct. Please check the the laws. The ref is entitled to let play go until HE deems that an advantage has been taken by the team. Villa did not gain an advantage from the situation as the shot missed, hence the play is allowed to be brought back to the incident. The referee was lenient if anything, as the goalkeeper in the laws of the game, should have been sent off; but the referee used his common sense to only give a booking.

Second penalty is a lot more debatable, but he again arguable got the decision correct. The contact happened before the ball was played, plus after he touched the ball, Gabby got the last touch and was continuing on the same path, along with the ball until brought down. Ultimately, despite the small touch on the ball, it was the correct decision.

As for the second challenge that resulted in the red card; it was the correct decision. There may have been a tiny amount of contact, but the way he jumped in and stopped progress of a very good attacking move (2 on 2) more than warrants a second booking.

The refs performance overall was good, one of the better performance I have seen. At times he was a bit card happy, and there was a little bit of inconsistency in some of the decisions. For instance Vlar could quite easily have seen a second yellow, although it was in different circumstances to the red card that was given as there was a number of players back behind the ball.

There is no use in using the referee as a scape goat. You can not hand on heart say Arsenal deserved anything out of that game, regardless of the circumstances.

Reply
Pingback: Kondogbia, Cabaye und Uchida zu Arsenal. Weniger Verletzte. | GoonerVida
Eoin

August 20, 2013 at 1:01 pm

Im an arsenal fan and am embarrassed your tryin to put the blame on the ref, spend some fuking money!!

Reply
- Brett Atkins
  
  August 20, 2013 at 1:11 pm
  
  you do realise that there is no such rule in football as “played the ball”?
  
  Reply
Mark, lagos

August 20, 2013 at 1:55 pm

The did is done already, and the game is over, taylor or no taylor we lost, stupid fumbling wenger always thinking of it’s self alone that’s greediness huh

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 22, 2013 at 11:50 pm
  
  I`m so glad the Chavs beat your lot. Now hurry up and slip down the table where your has-beens belong.
  
  Reply
astonvilla1964

August 20, 2013 at 2:18 pm

Really sad that everyone respects Arsenal out of the sky 4 for doing things the right way and within financial fairplay. Developing English players now. Not spending out of their means, everything which should be respected and admired. Unfortunately through desperstion the clubs not playing fairly are pulling away. What do you do? Join them or stick by your principles? Its sad that Arsenals way of dealing is now making them a laughing stock and making their proud fans sound like Manure and Chelski who think they have a god given right to everything and everyone. Your a great and respected club, dont drag the club to their levels the Arsenal of old at Highbury would have applauded the Villa off. I know footys not the same now but a gracious defeat shows class. Good luck for the season UTV

Reply
raufu israel

August 20, 2013 at 3:35 pm

dont blame d referee nor wenger or his boys.it a game of football. Let the game continue.

Reply
TT

August 20, 2013 at 3:35 pm

The first penalty call after the shot was unusual, but we have all seen it before. In terms of the spirit of the rules, the ref was probably right to award the penalty and Szczney was lucky no to be sent off. Both decisions could be called unusual, but not bias or totally wrong. I that was all he did wrong there probably would have been no issue.

The second booking and penalty, were just flat out wrong, which when followed by the second booking makes you wonder if the referee had a bet on the game. To not even consult the assistant in such a situation was not just poor, but it should be career ending.

The reaction of Arsenl fan is probably because we are in these games every week. These game changing calls go against us, and players get sent off, while we lose players to injury, due to “Harsh but fair” ruled tackles from the other side.

We turn up to see our side play and have to watch 10 reserves play because all our games are played significantly more violently than most others.

Now I understand that teams do this to beat us, but because our players are in this kind of contest every week, they are more likely to suffer serious injury, to a “mistake” than other teams.

I watch games not involving Arsenal and I wonder if I am watching the same sport sometimes. I think it is very difficult to referee an Arsenal game, but I do think pundits and other fans are a little harsh on Arsenal because one or two bruising encounters a season is fairly normal. We face one every single week.

Reply
Raz

August 20, 2013 at 4:25 pm

When the ref doesn’t see a foul, he can’t give a penalty. The second penalty should never have stood. I don’t think Kos touched the player for his second yellow either.

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 22, 2013 at 11:56 pm
  
  Apparently Kos was supposed to have brushed him with his knee, a nanosecond before he got the ball. The ref must have had very sharp eyes for that one. Really nasty eh? Deserved a booking according to Taylor.
  
  Reply
Edet

August 20, 2013 at 7:02 pm

U dont football if u said not was wrong in arsenal match. D officiating in very bad as am seein d refere lif he was promoted frm league 2 to premier league.d 1st was right but makes it wrong is dt he gav advantage n u dont drow it after give bt if for instant n arsenal took d ball b4 an aston villa guy he is right to recall after dem did nt utilize d chance n he recall it back is bad decison.d second penaty was wrong too bcos he goes for ball n he touch d ball.his red card was a bad one too

Reply
Monk

August 20, 2013 at 7:45 pm

That was completely a show of shame by the referee. He simple handed the victory to Aston Villa. But come to thing of it, Arsenal at home with a man down, have no business loosing that game to Aston Villa. Guess it was a wake-up call for Wenger to buy more quality players.

Reply
bill

August 20, 2013 at 8:24 pm

No one going to mention wilshires disgraceful dive?

Reply
chris

August 20, 2013 at 10:09 pm

Started getting so mad as the game went on, the terrible calls; and so pleased the Arsenal players never gave up…even after going down 2-1, they showed me they were so close to making it 2-2. Then the Koscielny red card, I had to turn off the TV I was so furious at the ref. Some Arsenal fans I believe are too hard on the team, making it seem as if they aren’t that great. I believe Arsenal has a great team. 99% of the teams out there would have been demoralized by the time the terrible ref gave Villa their 2nd penalty. Some new players to fill in the void for the injuries should do it. Keep your chins up, Arsenal has a great team =) No bad words for Villa, except all the fouls that were never called against them.

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 23, 2013 at 12:01 am
  
  Agreed. And now that we`ve virtually secured CL qualification, and are about to bank another £35m for so doing, may we please now spend some of that money.
  
  Reply
benjamin

August 21, 2013 at 5:57 am

all the players have been signed and ready for the new season now who wenger is going to sign ?

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 23, 2013 at 12:03 am
  
  Shame on you. Don`t you believe Wenger when he says the transfer window is now open and he`s in the market for players?
  
  Reply
Seany O

August 21, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Some of this whining is laughable:

First penalty decision was correct. The ref waited to see if an advantage developed, Weimann was at tight angle with three Arsenal players who had tracked back between him and the goal and had to take a snap shot. We see refs play advantage only to pull the play back fora free kick when no advantage materialises all of the time. Also, there was a good case for the keeper being sent off as Gabby running at full pelt would have kept control of the ball and scored.

Second decision has been shown to be correct in countless replays and unanimously been declared so on ‘Match of The Day’, ‘Match of The Day 2’ AND ‘Monday Night Football’ – if you take the player before the ball then it’s a foul. Frankly, for Arsenal fans to be bleating that “he touched the ball” is ridiculous after all the hysterics aimed at Shawcross and others who won the the ball and left players injured – you more than anyone should know the law – unless years of listening to Wenger have left you as blinkered as he is.

This knowledge of the laws comes up again on the subject of the second booking and the “he didn’t touch him” defence – it’s irrelevant, he dived in to take Weimann out of the attack, the intent was obvious and showed a incredible amount of stupidity on the part of the defender.

The ref got a couple of things wrong – Vlaar should have recieved a second booking. Luna should never have been booked when Chaimberlain crashed into him.

I’d love to know why Holloway has been charged by the FA for his comments regarding a ref but, once again, Wenger evades punishment – must be some kind of bias towards Arsenal.

Anyway, deserved and fair win for Aston Villa – if only Arsenal could be gracious in defeat once in a while.

Reply
- Warwick
  
  August 21, 2013 at 5:51 pm
  
  Exactly correct!! Now that is an honest reflection….. vlarr should have gone!!
  
  Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 23, 2013 at 12:05 am
  
  The problem is, we havent been used to losing for a while now.
  
  Reply
James

August 21, 2013 at 5:38 pm

Look first pen was a pen even after adv was played. Second pen was not a pen there was no contact with player and only with the ball, sending off was an opportunistic disgrace the player dived 5 yards after initial contact was made. Vlarr should have gone for three very clumsy challenges and how angbonglahor was able to trip Wilshere over every time he got away from him, watching the game again a grand total of 7 times with only 2 fouls awarded against him.

Now arsenal played poorly but so did villa we will see how they get on in the rest of the games without the benefit of game hanging secisions

Reply
Warwick

August 21, 2013 at 5:49 pm

You Arsenal knobs!! You lost because Villa were faster, stronger and showed more hunger!! Both penalties were spot on, the first you are allowed to let play go to SEE if there is an advantage!! The second, as we all know his knee caught the villa players ankle BEFORE he got the ball.

Get over it and concentrate on getting behind our current squad!!

At the moment you are all quite embarrassing!!

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 23, 2013 at 12:16 am
  
  Rudeness is the last resort of the inarticulate.
  
  Reply
mal jones

August 22, 2013 at 6:07 pm

the days when villa roll over and die for the so called big clubs are over !!! get used to it . see you at villa park

Reply
- Biscuitbum
  
  August 23, 2013 at 12:19 am
  
  When Benteke goes at the end of the season, the goals will dry up. Let`s hope he doesn`t meet Shawcross before then eh.
  
  Reply
androidtablet

February 14, 2014 at 3:46 am

Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through
your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the
fantastic work!

Reply
Pingback: Arsenal Fans Enraged As 'Useless' Ref Appointed For Aston Villa Game | Arsenal Station | Arsenal FC News