None of that was to imply that it wasn’t Arsenal’s match so far, by the way. Clearly was.

And I’m aware of a certain irony on the awarding of that penalty just now. No dive, but no penalty, either.

Wenger getting sent off was an absolute classic.

When he stops at the railing and says “is this OK?”  Comedy gold.

I thought it was a clear penalty but I’ve never seen us take a more undeserved win. That own goal was just inexplicable. What was he thinking? Why? It was so bad, I was reduced to feeling bad for Arsenal instead of gloating. Wenger sending off was comedy gold indeed. Is there a more pedantic ref in the game?!

I thought this game was clear evidence that United lack creativity and desperately need playmakers in the midfield. Giggs is, indeed, old. Nani is unreliable. But SAF doesn’t want to buy unless he springs a surprise tomorrow.

On the other hand, Arshavin is brilliant. If he stays healthy Russia just might do well in the world cup. Maybe. I’m not hopeful, but it would be nice if it happened.

Is there a more pedantic ref in the game?!

At one point the announcers pointed out that he’d given out both the most cards and awarded the most PKs last season. I couldn’t really argue with the PK for Rooney, but sending Wenger off in freaking stoppage time was just farcical, even before his performance in the stands.

It’s funny how pretty much every pro league in the world has “that” ref, though.

Whenever I see Mike Dean (I think that’s his name) officiating a “big” game, I worry. He gives a ridiculous amount if cards, with the invariable result that players get more frustrated and commit mire fouls and he gets to show more cards. I’m not surprised that he holds the dubious honor of showing the most cards but he’s really outdone himself with the Wenger sending-off. It wouldve been idiotic at any time in the game, but the fact that he thought that it was an appropriate thing to do on the stroke of extra time? That really takes the cake

See, I should check the rules more carefully: Since, as the commentator noted, the ball was headed for the Stretford End long before the goalie made contact with Rooney, is it indeed a penalty? I had thought that a penalty was awarded only when the foul interferes with play in the 18-yard box. For example, if a goalkeeper punched an opposing striker while the ball was in midfield being played in the other direction, it might be an immediate red card, but not a penalty shot, surely?

if a goalkeeper punched an opposing striker while the ball was in midfield being played in the other direction, it might be an immediate red card, but not a penalty shot, surely?

The situation you describe actually happened recently, and a penalty was called.

That’s funny, Thlayli. And it fits the Laws of the Game, as does my questioning the propriety of Rooney’s penalty:

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

So if the ball reached the touchline before the foul was committed, it’s an improper penalty. I haven’t seen a camera angle that determines that definitively, and when I initially thought the penalty was unfair, I was thinking it was simply about having a chance at goal. So I was wrong and right together.