Partizan Test The Limits

English Referees Take Note

Tuesday September 28th, 2010

Partizan Belgrade: 1 vs. Arsenal: 3

Arshavin 14

Cleo 33

Chamakh 70

Squillaci 82

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)



As expected Partizan Belgrade gave one hell of a performance on Tuesday night, they simply refused to give in despite being down to ten men for the majority of the second half. All credit to them and their fans as the atmosphere was simply majestic, if only the Emirates could be so full of energy.

The team selected was rather predictable considering the upcoming fixture and the injuries we have sustained. Song and Denilson anchored the middle while Arshavin and Rosicky the width. Interestingly Wilshere was played off the striker as Cesc would, one has to wonder if that is where Wenger sees him after the departure of the aforementioned. Djourou gave Koscielny a bit of a rest and Gibbs filled in for the Clichy. Our favorite nervous Pole deputized for our least favorite Spaniard to fill out the makeshift defense. It certainly isn't the best squad we have but it wasn't one that should shirk from the prospect of this Partizan team no matter how hostile the crowd.

The start of the first half was a bit of a nightmare. We conceded possession rather tamely and our back line was a bit of a mess. We pressed high up the pitch but failed to hold a flat line. In one instance a simple slide rule pass nullified our defense as it seemed no one was in charge. It was a labored quarter of an hour in which we created nothing. Out of that Arshavin struck as he played a neat one two with Wilshere, the latter back heeling it to the Russian to score. With the nerves out of the way Arsenal should have made it four within ten minutes. Each time Arsenal were denied by a combination of mediocre shooting and excellent goal keeping. The most gilt edged being a delightful Arshavin chip that was cleared off the line via a bicycle kick. Our dominance perhaps gave way to a sense of complacency as a simple Partizan cross suddenly led to a goal. A cross from the right was inexplicably handled by Denilson and it was 1 all. The remainder of the half was played out in cagey manner as the nerves crept back in.

The beginning of the second half saw us fail to regain the composure we had for majority of the first. Ten minutes in Arshavin set Chamakh free through the middle before he was upended in the box by the improbably named Jovanivic, the Serbian was rightfully dismissed and a penalty awarded. The diminutive Russian failed to convert with his drive down the middle catching the keepers legs. At that point I felt that a tie was on the cards as their keeper was in simply phenomenal form despite the extra man we had. A couple of saved chances from Wilshere and Arshavin gave credence to the idea but eventually we made the breakthrough. A Rosicky cross was met with perfect power by Chamakh, the keeper parried onto the bar before it found its way back to the Moroccan to slot home from 4 yards. The goal took everything out of our Serbian friends. Our fluency returned as Partizan were reduced to chasing shadows, the killer third came from a set piece. A wicked corner from Nasri found the head of Squillaci allowing the newcomer to power in the goal from the near post.

Moments later the prospect of a nervy finale came about as Gibbs fouled Stevanovic and Wolfgang Stark pointed to the spot for the third time in the match. Cleo once again took it but his low shot to the left corner was tipped around the post by the suddenly improving Flappy Pole. With nothing to lose Partizan continued to press for a consolation but were denied again from Sir Fabianksi in stoppage time.

A bit of a tough road to hoe tonight in all honesty. Large swaths of the game were dominated by the idea of losing the game late on. In the end the make shift team came through and that's all one can really ask for. One must look at that form of their keeper and the rather tame shots we had. the second Penalty miss in 3 games is a bit of troubling stat, misses will come but 95% of the time we should put them away.

The officiating was good for the most part, no complaints about the penalties at all. I would like to query the point of the officials behind the goals. Certainly UEFA has assessed the feedback from last years Europa League and hopefully defined the roles a bit more. If so then I wonder what they were doing the entire game. The only call came in the form of a foul against Gibbs outside the box. For each of the penalties Wolfgang Stark waited for a long time for there to be some sort of call from the officials but none came. Eventually he made the right call but it still mystifies me why they are there. I can understand that none of them have probably officiated in that manner so they are a bit unclear, still it's obvious that UEFA has done nothing to define the lines.

It was a good fill up before the massive fixture on Sunday, especially for our goalkeeper. May his confidence long continue, even if I think him to be a terrible keeper.