Koscielny appeal is futile but not frivolous
262 comments November 9th, 2010
As I write this, Arsene Wenger is waiting to hear the FA’s ruling on an appeal against the red card given to Laurent Koscielny. The sending off was Koscielny’s second of the season, meaning he is currently due to miss two games: the away fixtures at Wolves and Everton.
I have to say, the decision to appeal is an odd one: for me, the red-card was absolutely the right decision. The arguments against the sending off are flimsy. Those who’ve pointed out that Ranger was very wide on the pitch fail to take in to account the fact that he is actually capable of running in a diagonal line, toward goal. And yes, Squillaci was coming across, but in a straight race with the Newcastle striker he wouldn’t have stood a chance.
There’s a similar likelihood of the card being rescinded, and every chance that it will be extended on the grounds of a ‘frivolous’ appeal. That would result in Koscielny serving a three-game ban and missing the North London Derby with Spurs, which makes our choice to contest the decision all the more bizarre. Hopefully Thomas Vermaelen is close to returning and easing the strain at the heart of our defence. His presence and leadership have been sorely missed.
(Update: The ban has been upheld but not extended. Koscielny will be back for Spurs.)
One man who is back is Robin van Persie, although Arsene is insistent that he’s “not ready”. I did think there was something vaguely hypocritical and possibly desperate about Arsene throwing Robin on against Newcastle having spent a week preaching about the importance of easing him slowly back in. Any argument against Van Persie going away with Holland has now disintegrated: if he’s fit enough for the Premier League, he’s fit enough for International football. That said, he’s clearly nowhere near being ready to start, and will be back on the bench tomorrow night at Wolves.
Theo Walcott says the game at Molineux is a chance for the team to redeem themselves. I’d go further than that and say it’s an opportunity they have to take. A slip up and third consecutive defeat would be a disaster. Sebastien Squillaci seems to understand the significance of the next game:
“When you play for a team like Arsenal, after two defeats you need to respond. A great team doesn’t concede three consecutive defeats. So the next game will be really important, we need to show that Arsenal are a great team. We need to respond well at Wolves on Wednesday.”
Wolves are playing some decent stuff and will provide stiff opposition, but over the coming weeks the games don’t get easier. We face Spurs at home, and travel to Everton and Aston Villa. Of those forthcoming fixtures, tomorrow’s tricky encounter is arguably the most winnable. After recent slip-ups, it’s imperative we put three points on the board.
