No. 15--Arsenal vs. Wigan English Soccer: What Helps Win or Lose Soccer Games and Referee’s Reputation

by Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo

Arsenal vs. Wigan English Soccer. This game was played on November 24, 2007. It was a game where superior skills and endurance won the day as frequently happens with most soccer matches. Arsenal won 2 to 0 over Wigan. After a slow start of about ten minutes into the game, Arsenal took control with accurate passing, trapping and shielding. On the other hand, Wigan could not seem to get control of the ball for more than a few passes most of the time and often because of this, tried to mix up the soccer attacks with long up-field passes.

Because Arsenal had ball possession most of the time, (along with many short passes) it was just a matter of time before one of their goal attempts succeeded. Finally, after 82 minutes a crossed ball from Bacary Sagna went to the head of William Gallas to score their first goal. It was a goal not easily defended against, so the Wigan defense could not be at fault this time.

But at other times the Wigan defense was disorganized, as was the case when the second goal was scored. It was off the foot of Tomas Rosicky, who was virtually unscreened by the Wigan defense. This occurred only 3 minutes after the first goal: Wigan defenders were chasing him when he got the shot off. This goal could have been prevented if Rosicky had been marked.

The game was totally dominated by Arsenal. However, both teams committed some errors and they should be brought to the attention of young players and coaches as what to avoid.

1. There was at least one occasion by Arsenal where a cross was not pulled back far enough and went directly into the Wigan goalkeeper’s hands. A good cross must be back out far enough to be out of reach from the goalkeeper.

2. A similar event by Arsenal occurred with a corner kick—the kicked ball landed directly into the hands of the Wigan goalkeeper. A good corner kick must be kicked back out far enough to be out of reach of the goalkeeper: The kicker must compensate for in-swingers and out-swingers.

3. Wigan on the other hand, could not keep pace with Arsenal and on many occasions reverted to kicking the ball up field. But, at 57 minutes into the game, this team had a passing rally and began working the ball up field. However, after more than a half dozen passes around the midfield and beyond, the ball worked its way back to the defense instead of going forward. The defender, upon receiving the ball booted it up field, thus ending the passing rally: The ball was immediately intercepted by Arsenal who then made a counterattack. Wigan's same passing strategy occurred again at 81 minutes into the game and failed in a similar manner. Passing the ball for possession should be a requirement for young players and long indiscriminate kicks should be discouraged.

A note on refereeing. This was another of those games where illicit tackling was quite common--tripping a dribbling-player or tackling at the calves and not the ball. The referee did not punish the guilty players soon enough in the game and of course things always get worse. One of Arsenal’s players had to be taken off the field in a stretcher due to one of these mentioned tackles. Also, one scene was pretty nasty as players from both sides began a shoving match that looked like it could have even evolved the referees. If a referee shows his or her authority early on by showing yellow or red cards for such offenses (tripping or going for the legs or other serious infractions), the roughness can be controlled. Note: If a referee desires a good reputation, he or she must not only be fair and accurate but firmly control each game from getting out of hand by protecting players from dangerous acts. In other words enforce FIFA Laws of the Game.

A further note: It is my personal opinion for the safety of any referee, his or her name should not be made public at any time. But, soccer organizations should have input into referees’ discipline. A referee’s bad decisions can have an adverse effect upon the actual winner of a game. My Soccer Handbook for Players, Coaches and Parents outlines a method for a fair evaluation of referees.

All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.