I think that's Wenger's whole point though isn't it? Just because Blackburn only had four more fouls awarded against them, that doesn't show how many challenges went unpunished by the ref. Wenger's whole point is that players get away with far too much (i.e. Shawcross and Huth in last week's game, which were clearly fouls but the ref did nothing).
I'm half and half here, as I could quite easily say that some Arsenal players have a reputation for theatrics. Referees always have and always will be in a difficult situation because players will try to cheat all the time, its just that a more physical approach to cheating will often end badly for an opposition player.
Huth spent last Saturday pushing and obstructing Gomes at corners with no intention of playing the ball. Barcelona and other "footballing" teams never go that far.
I agree, but I could throw any other team in there. Holland at the WC Final for example. Many top teams have done it, and will continue to do it as physical approaches often win games. Again, for a lot of the bigger teams its usually a case of "But why won't you sit back and let us win? We think we're better than you!".
When Wenger moaned last year it was the culmination of playing those same 5 or 6 sides 12 or more times a year for 5 years. When it happens for so long, it's not wrong to be particularly aware of why we have this thread.
I don't think he was having a pop at your 2-1 victory because there was little wrong with the goals; I don't remember any Arsenal fans nor I taking issue with Blackburn that day to be fair.
In terms of the reputation, there's a reason why it's called the 'Allerdyce approach to football'. He out and out coined the notion of getting "in Arsenal's faces" while managing Bolton, well before he joined Blackburn. Where ever he goes he instills it into his sides...and don't forget also that there are others who have copied it.
...And as said, it usually goes far beyond being physical (a weakness) and ends up with one opponent suffering from lots of fouls. There's no problem from fans or our manager if we've been tactically outdone or out played within the laws of the game.
But SOME teams are obviously guilty of fouling far more than others to make up for their technical shortcomings. There's something wholly unfair of that approach to play football. Pointing this out is of course, not slander.
This I agree with. In regards to the game last season however, Wenger refused to shake hands at the end and claimed that for our second goal David Dunn had fouled Fabianski (Sol Campbell had been outmuscled and obstructed his own keeper).
I also agree that in his days at Bolton he was heavily criticised for his teams style of play, again something that he has often chose to go against with Blackburn. Its worth remembering though that he used a very efficient stats system (and iirc still does) and that his approach often worked, within the bounds of footballing law. A lot of big teams (and managers) have a mentality that the littler teams should not be a decent threat outside of a cup tie (I'm not making a generalisation as there are many level-headed fans out there).
I agree that some teams do overly foul (again Holland) and I was more than disappointed at the Dutch teams attempt to win against Spain as I really wanted them to take the game, HOWEVER as I have said several times (and will continue to say) teams have a habit of living off reputations (or rather Journos and Managers have a habit of bringing them up), and even if they play within the rules they will still be accused of going over the top. As a Rovers fan since the earlier nineties (93, when I was 5 years old) I'm used to it now. As long as our team gets the win, we don't care because too many of the bigger teams don't like the fact we often play to win.
I can't help but feel that if we commit more than 10 fouls tomorrow we'll be called cheats, etc... As long as we don't concede 6 I'll be happy
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