Some observations:-
1. The second questionable lineup & substitution decisions by Fergie after the Burnley game. Giggs, Scholes & Neville should be included in the 18 against select (preferably lesser opposition); with Neville being only being in used when in a real need of experience and or warm bodies. Otherwise the RB slot should be a battle between Rafael, Fabio, De Laet, Brown & O’Shea.
2. Whether the Arshavin call was a PK or not is debatable (as there is the possibility that Fletcher got the ball then the man based on the replays). He scored almost right away anyway so - worked out well for Arsenal in the end. Arshavin can blame Eduardo for refs possibly not giving Arsenal the benefit of the doubt on such calls for the rest of the season.
3. I don’t think Rooney’s was a penalty - I didn’t think so then and I don’t think so now. Rooney was already on his way down when/if Almunia caught him and there’s no way he was going to catch up to the ball even if he wasn’t fouled.
If Arsenal had won a penalty like that I would have been furious.
3. Foster definitely should have saved Arshavin’s shot. Once u get behind a ball like that, u cannot allow it to still end up in the back of the net. And in my opinion, if VDS were in goal, there’s no way that shot would have scored - nor would he have shown the kind of indecisiveness with punching etc. that Foster showed yesterday.
4. If Ferguson doesn’t believe he needs further midfield reinforcement to deal with the bigger teams and the rigour of a long, grueling season (especially if the likes of Carrick & Anderson continuing playing this way) then he has another thing coming. Much of this season’s success will likely depend on the fitness & form of Fletcher & Rooney - because we do not possess other forceful players like them in the team - and of course Rio, especially given the injure-prone nature of Evans so far in his young career.
If Ferguson isn’t going to sign anyone then it makes me even more eager to see what the likes of Obertan, Diouf & Macheda can do if given quality minutes in this campaign (Tosic & Ljajic may not be physically ready as yet).
Must wish even more for the healthy return of Hargo as well - needless to say a player of his quality and experience would be of great use to us ASAP.
