After going down 4-0 in the first 26 minutes at home against Arsenal on Saturday, Newcastle mounted an absolutely incredible comeback, scoring four goals of their own in the last 22 minutes of the match (see highlights here). Sparked by Abou Diaby's sending off in the 50th minute, Newcastle proved to posses enough determination to make you ask, "Andy Carroll who?"
Naturally, this turn of events did not please Arsene Wenger. Water bottles were slammed, exasperated arm movements were made. And after the match -- while Jack Wilshere was tweeting and deleting his Ryan Babel-like displeasure with referee Phil Dowd -- he delivered his Festivus-style Airing of Grievances. From Sporting Life:
"It was a completely unnecessary sending-off, and I believe Barton was very lucky to stay on the pitch for the tackle on Diaby.
"It's a shame [for Diaby] because he had a great first half. Sometimes you could understand when he has a bad game, but he had an outstanding game.
"I explain that by the fact that he has been injured so many times from bad tackles that he lost a bit quickly his nerves because this boy has been out for a long time and many times.
"Certainly the tackle provoked his reaction."
If this football management thing doesn't work out, Arsene clearly has a future as a criminal defense lawyer. As for his not-so-wet-behind-the-ears-anymore team, well, they panicked. From ESPN:
"I felt that it became difficult at 4-1. At 4-0 we were quite comfortable but then we panicked a little bit. I also think we were a bit unlucky on occasions. We have to take it on the chin, and take the positives from the game."
Yes, after complaining about the referee and Joey Barton, they have to take it on the chin. And the positives? Well, at least it was the ref, Barton and bad luck that cost them their massive lead and not anything they could control. Which is actually kind of a shame because when one can take ownership of the issues holding them back, they can, you know, fix them and improve.
Photo: Getty Images
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