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Football News: Arter Was Brave While Messi's Mouth Was Foul

Arter Was Brave While Messi's Mouth Was Foul
Image from: soccernews.com

1. Well done Harry Arter
Despite Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter suffering the sad loss of his baby during birth in midweek, he was determined to play for his team against Manchester United at the weekend. Not just did he play, but he played with determination and composure for almost the entire match, with only one chink which appeared following his booking, when manager Eddie Howe did brilliantly to calm him down with a hug. His attitude and work rate were a huge part of the team effort that produced a well deserved victory for the Cherries.

2. Messi asks his critics to go forth and multiply
Barcelona's superstar (should that be megastar?) forward Lionel Messi lost his cool during a TV interview after being questioned on his attitude towards playing in an Argentinian shirt. With criticism of his lack of effort in an Argentina shirt, compared to his work rate in a Barca shirt, Messi had a direct reply for those who criticise him. He simply told his critics to "go f*** yourself", as he pointed out that he led the team to the World Cup final "for f***'s sake". He also said he got so annoyed by people attacking him for not singing the national anthem that he now refuses to sing it.

 

3. Time to move Mignolet on, if anyone will buy him
A stat that will surprise no one came to light at the weekend, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has made more errors that have led directly to a goal in the last three Premier League seasons, as his total has reached eight during the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. The only surprise is how few there have been, as it seems like it could easily have reached that number this season alone! With him at Liverpool as first choice goalkeeper, the Reds will not win the Premier League, if there is any ambition at the club, he has to be replaced. The problem is, who would take him off their hands?

4. Jamie Vardy immortalised in crisps
Yes crisps. Walkers have produced a limited edition 'Vardy Salted' run of crisps to celebrate the Leicester City strikers goal scoring exploits of the season:


The Beats By Dre advert he did must seem small fry by comparison!

 

5. Things have really got bad at United
You know there is a problem when Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson changes allegiance:



6. Could punditry sink any lower?
Jamie Redknapp has never been the most insightful of pundits, but he is not normally quite on the level of Michael Owen until now. Now he is analysing the movement of corner flags. No really he is:

 

7. Moyes shows why he got the sack so quickly in his last two roles
David Moyes on Ozil: "I still think the jury's out on him a bit". In what world is the jury out? Arsenal's Mesut Ozil came to the Premier League with a massive reputation, following his major role in Germany's 2014 World Cup win and leading the Spanish league in assists while at Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho said that he could tell when Mesut Ozil struck the ball in training, even if he was not watching, as it made a different sound. When Madrid sold him and replaced him with the most expensive player in the world, Gareth Bale, the only thing the Madrid fans were bothered about was losing Ozil, chanting his name repeatedly at the ceremony to show off Bale. Since that time, Florentino Perez has been struggling to win back the fans, who have still not forgiven him for selling Ozil. This season, and the back end of last season, Ozil has finally got back to form, following a struggle to adapt to the English game, and has become the outstanding player in the Premier League this season. So what jury is out on him David? Certainly not one composed of the fans at any club he has played for! Mind what do you expect from a man who said, in the same section, of Manchester United's fuzzy haired flop, Marouane Fellaini, that he's "technically very good. Professional, hard working, great attitude." Technically very good with his elbows maybe David, but the jury really is out on whether he really is technically very good with his feet. Explains why Everton plateaued under the 'Moyesiah', he has no eye for real talent!

8. On this day
Arsenal striker Ted Drake notched all seven goals in the Gooners 7-1 away victory over Aston Villa, who were without then manager George Allison, who was ill and unable to travel to the match. Tom Whittaker was given the job of phoning the boss and telling him the result, on being asked who had scored he quite simply replied "Drake".

 

9. Toure or Iheanacho?
When Yaya Toure's shot deflected off Kelechi Iheanacho to land in the back of the Swansea City net on Saturday, it opened up a debate over who the goal should be awarded to. If I was the young Manchester City striker, I would certainly be claiming it, as there is a very good chance that, without hitting him on the back, that shot would have been saved. On the other hand, if Toure had not shot in the first place, he would not have scored and the deflection was unintentional. I have always been of the opinion that an unintentional deflection should see the goal awarded to the person who hit the initial shot. Will the dubious goals panel feel the same way?

10. Gignac move still makes no sense to me
French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac's summer move to Tigres in Mexico is one of the most bizarre I can remember in my lifetime. The 30 year old's left Marseille after scoring 21 goals last season and shocked Europe by signing for Tigres of Monterrey, despite interest from other clubs in Europe. Now he has played a major part in Tigres winning the title and returned to the France squad due to his good form in Mexican football. Even so, it still seems a strange choice to go out there.

Written by Tris Burke December 14 2015 10:41:37