Arsenal boss moves the goalposts to defend his team

Tony Pulis yesterday responded to Arsene Wenger’s criticism of Stoke’s aggressiveness by reminding the Frenchman that the only player sent off in the Potters 2-1 win last Saturday was wearing an Arsenal shirt. So in his latest desperate attempt to defend his team, Wenger replied by boasting:

“You can look at the fair play table. Who is top? Arsenal Football Club”

The problem with that claim is that, unless Arsenal have received a fax with updated standings, the last accessible version of the Fair Play Table reflects only the first six games. At that point, the Gunners had picked up just six yellows but in the five games since they have collected twelve yellows and one red.

When you consider that Chelsea, third in the last published standings after being handed eight yellows, have received just five since, there is a strong chance they will top the table when it is next updated.

Of course there is a method to Wenger’s rambling though. If he merely stated the facts, that Arsenal have got dirtier as the season has progressed, they might not receive as much sympathy from whoever referees Saturday’s game with Manchester United.