Welcome to The Briefing, where every Monday during this season The Athletic discusses three of the biggest questions to arise from the weekend’s football.
This was the weekend when Arsenal struggled, Manchester United avoided a crisis for another week, Sheffield United won their first game of the season, and Luis Diaz showed incredible resolve to score Liverpool’s equalizer at Luton Town.
Here we will consider Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s response to Newcastle’s winning goal, the significance of Emma Hayes taking the USWNT job, and why ‘Always the victim…’ is not harmless terrace banter…
What is the real embarrassment: the refereeing or Arsenal endorsing Arteta’s complaints?
Perhaps managers shouldn’t give interviews immediately after games. Frustration and emotions run high, increasing the likelihood of saying something unwise. Considering this, one can understand (even if not agree with) Mikel Arteta’s comments about the refereeing in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday. While Anthony Gordon’s goal may have been disallowed on three counts, there was no conclusive evidence that the ball had gone out, Gordon wasn’t offside, and the question of Joelinton pushing Gabriel could have gone either way.
The frustration is understandable, but it’s unrealistic to expect every manager to be completely impartial and calm about every decision that goes against them. However, for those who heard Arteta’s comments before watching the incident in question, they may have been confused, expecting a much greater injustice than what actually occurred. Arteta’s reaction may have felt more proportionate if it was directed at the decision not to send off Bruno Guimaraes for fouling Jorginho. Instead, his frustration was focused solely on the goal.
This is where we stand now. The constant focus on refereeing decisions, exacerbated by VAR and its promise of perfection, has created a situation where managers feel justified in declaring certain decisions embarrassing and disgraceful. Debatable officiating is no longer seen as just that, but as part of a larger narrative of collective injustice. While Arteta’s reaction may have been disproportionate, it can still be understood.
However, things took a more embarrassing turn when Arsenal released an official statement supporting Arteta’s post-match comments and criticizing the referee and VAR. It is extraordinary for a club to release an official statement about a marginal refereeing decision they disagree with. If the club’s aim is to improve refereeing standards, they should approach the situation with more sensibility and constructiveness. Instead, they endorsed their manager’s frustrated outburst, which is the truly embarrassing part.
How big a deal is Emma Hayes taking the USWNT job?
Emma Hayes leaving Chelsea for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) is a significant loss for English football. Since joining Chelsea in 2012, Hayes has been instrumental in the rise of women’s football in the UK. She has won numerous titles and played a key role in the success of both Chelsea and the England national team.
Hayes’ appointment as head coach of the USWNT is a crucial step in their rebuilding process after the World Cup. Her impressive track record and expertise make her the best candidate for overseeing this new era. It is likely that this was the only job Hayes would have left Chelsea for, as she has established herself as one of the most influential figures in English football.
The USWNT should not underestimate the significance of Hayes’ appointment. She brings a wealth of experience, a winning mentality, and an ability to shape how the wider public thinks about the game. Her departure will be felt in English football, but her appointment by the USWNT is a significant coup.
It’s not banter: why ‘Always the victim’ should never be sung at Liverpool fans
While the rise of Luton in football has been heartwarming, it has unfortunately been accompanied by some unpleasant elements in their fan base. During their game against Liverpool, some Luton fans chanted ‘Always the victim, it’s never your fault,’ followed by another chant referring to English clubs’ suspension from European football in the 1980s due to the Heysel tragedy in 1985.
Fortunately, these incidents have become less frequent. However, it is important to recognize that chants like ‘Always the victim…’ are not harmless banter. They carry negative connotations and should not be sung at any fan base. It is crucial for fans to become educated about the implications of such chants and strive for a more inclusive and respectful atmosphere in football.