3rd April 2010, FOOTBALL: Arsenal 1 Wolves 0

After Barcelona, it was always going to be difficult for the team to pick themselves up for this. So, the insipid performance that we saw wasn't altogether surprising. An erratic performance from Walcott, a few stinkers from Eduardo and an anonymous return to the starting line-up for Rosicky characterised the match. Wolves defended stoutly. We created the odd half chance but lacked a cutting edge. The real story of this match though, for me, was Wolves' time wasting, which started at roughly 3pm. There were two incidents, both occurring towards the end of the match, that summed up the absurdity of the situation. A Wolves goal kick, the ball lands on the edge of the area. Walcott, in a rush, grabs the ball for Wolves keeper Hanneman, placing the ball on the spot. Hanneman walks past Walcott to where the ball previously laid, then turns and shrugs his shoulders, as if confused that the ball might've moved from its spot before lolloping back towards the six yard box and, with the speed of a tortoise, moves the ball to the other side of the goal before taking the kick. Later, Wolves have a throw-in. The ballboy throws the ball to the player who, seemingly, has lost the use of his hands, as twice he lets the ball hit his chest and fall to the floor. When opposing teams dash your hopes in the final and 5th minute of injury time added because of your anti-football tactics to, you deserve everything you get. I should also mention the sending off of Karl Henry, which, I have to say, looked like a yellow card challenge to me. Rosicky made a meal of it and the player was dismissed. I don't like to see Arsenal players doing that (or imploring the ref to send a player off) but, hell, name a team that doesn't employ those kind of tactics and you'll be naming a team who don't win much. Henry's post-match comments were idiotic. Arsenal are not now treated any more fairly than before because we've had some bad injuries. But yes, it's entirely likely that our players may well be a bit more sensitive to bad tackles when they've seen team mates legs' recklessly snapped in two so often.