Hips don't lie ...

I've always ranted on this blog that refs are inconsistent and that there is an inherent bias against certain teams.

And the FA traditionally has cast a skewed eye on my beloved Gooners - and it seems that the refs have followed suit.

Both Essien and Dogfart threw "punches" or slaps during the melee (according to the Independent) but they were never charged.

Eboue was, and got a 3-match ban.

It was a justified punishment for Eboue but it was gross injustice that both Essien and Dogfart got away scot-free.

Apparently a Chelsea punch is less serious than an Arsenal one.

Is it because we're predominantly a non-English team, then?

We've heard English commentators gleefully croaking on how physical tactics were rattling Arsenal players, of how they wouldn't be able to cope with the "English" game (presumably because they are "furriners" and as such, lack the stomach for a physical contest).

It's subtle jingoism - reflecting the underlying xenophobia permeating such (not all) match commentators.

It is reminiscent of the state of mind last seen during the so-called Great War ... way back in 1914 - 1918, where disdain for "the Hun" (and a firm belief in his lack of stomach for cold steel) was sufficient justification for countless bayonet charges that sent large numbers of young Englishmen into storms of the presumably warm steel of machinegun bullets.

Or is it just because we're the Arsenal?

Well, whatever it is, surely it doesn't justify the statistics that we have now.

Hips don't lie, says Shakira ... well, neither do statistics.

We commit the least number of fouls (204 against the next-least of 296) and yet have the lowest fouls per yellow ratio.

And in a warning against perception, who do you think is the "dirtiest" team - Blackburn?

Think again.

See for yourself below.


Premiership fouls, yellows and fouls per yellow card

................FOULS....YELLOWS ......Ratio
Arsenal - ..........240.......... 44 .............= 5.45 (fouls per yellow card)
A Villa - ............362.......... 33 ................= 10.96
Blackburn - .....382 ...........61................ = 6.26
Bolton - ............382 ......... 59................ = 6.47
Charlton - ........318.......... 44................ = 7.22
Chelsea - ..........312.......... 43................ = 7.25
Everton - .........402 ......... 48................ = 8.37
Fulham - ..........367.......... 47................ = 7.80
Liverpool - .......327.......... 29................ = 11.27
Man City - .......381.......... 40................ = 9.52
Man Utd -........307.......... 40................ = 7.67
M'brough - ......365.......... 49................ = 7.44
Newcastle - .....346 ......... 56 ............... = 6.17
Portsmouth - ..366 ..........37 ............... = 9.89
Reading - ....... 296........... 29............... = 10.2
Sheff Utd - .....329 ...........47 ...............= 7.00
Spurs - ...........320 ............39 ...............= 8.20
Watford - .......397 ............36............... = 11.02
West Ham - ...382............59 ................= 6.47
Wigan - ..........352............ 52................ = 6.76

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FA CUP 5th Round replay
Blackburn 1
(McCarthy 87th)
Arse 0

" Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. "