Weighing the Evidence

It’s not hard to understand why Iain Dowie and the Charlton faithful might have felt aggrieved at certain things that went on in their home game against Arsenal. They were extremely unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when William Gallas handled the ball and there is no doubt that Robin Van Persie, who went on to score both Arsenal’s goals, could have been given a straight red for his impetuous challenge on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

But to take that on and argue that Charlton Athletic should have won – that is entirely another matter. In addition to Bent’s goal and the penalty appeal against Gallas, the home side had three real chances, all of which fell to Hasselbaink. He produced a shot which was brilliantly saved by Lehmann, then missed two easy ones, the second of which was a header just feet from the goal line. So at the very best Charlton might have scored five goals. Disregarding Robin Van Persie’s two goals and one missed chance (because some people argue he should have been dismissed) Arsenal had eight further opportunities – two for Fabregas (including a header from point blank range), three for Henry (two of which you would have put your house on), one for Eboue, one for Hleb and one for Ljungberg, plus the possibility of a penalty for handball against Hreidarsson. Potentially, that’s nine goals.

That leaves the disciplinary question – or rather questions. Charlton have, understandably, made much of the case against Van Persie, but what of the case for Arsenal? Take the Van Persie incident, for instance. No question that it was a rash challenge, but was there anyone at The Valley who seriously believed Van Persie was capable of felling Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, one of the most powerful guys in Premiership football, as effortlessly as that? He went down suspiciously easily and was not subject to any sanction for what might be interpreted as trying to get a fellow professional sent off, nor for spending so much of the game trying to bend the referee’s ear that he looked like a street fighter turned soap box orator. Add to that some extremely questionable tackles from Hreidarsson, Lisbie, Hughes and Young – most of which somehow escaped serious punishment – and you begin to wonder whether Arsenal were perhaps more sinned against than sinning.

One final point. If Van Persie had been red carded, as well he might, nearly 27,000 people at The Valley and millions watching at home would have been deprived of a goal which will live long in the memory, both as an indication of the Dutchman’s supreme talent and as testimony to what Arsene Wenger has brought to the whole of English football.