Savage silenced as awesome Arsenal continue hot streak
The controversial Welshman, never far from discord or a dispute, fouled Gilberto in the 13th minute, with the Brazilian’s rash, retaliatory reaction earning him an automatic red card and a three-game suspension that will start when the in-form Gunners host Manchester United next Sunday.
But where this incident differed from so many Savage indiscretions of the past was in his own reaction to Gilberto’s dismissal, with the combustible midfielder acting as a witness for the defence in an attempt to get referee Rob Styles to change his mind. Even Arsene Wenger, who had initially claimed Savage should have been sent off along with his man, was forced to offer one of the Premiership’s most unpopular players an apology.
“I didn’t warn them about Savage. You know what he’s like, he can liven a game up and has a lot of quality because he’s a fighter,” said Wenger.
“Sometimes he does a bit too much and on this occasion he did a bit too much. If he did try to tell the referee not to send him off, then I thank him. It looked harsh but you have to accept that he retaliated. He made more of it but maybe then he realised he should not have gone down — that’s when he went to the referee. If you ask the referee he will tell you he sent him off for retaliation and that’s a red card.”
Savage prickled at Wenger’s hint that he may have contributed to the Arsenal player’s downfall.
“I was shocked when it was a red card. I said to the referee he shouldn’t send him off but he said, ‘If he kicks out at you, he has to go’,” said Savage.
“I thought it was a yellow card for him at best and it shouldn’t have been anything for me, either. I don’t want to see other players sent off.”
Despite the controversy, Gilberto’s sending-off hardly affected the outcome, or in any way hindered Arsenal as they sought to add to the three wins and 13 goals that had heralded the new year, including, of course, the two stunning cup victories against Liverpool at Anfield in the preceding week.
In the 37th minute, a Thierry Henry free-kick landed on the head of Kolo Toure, whose perfectly-timed run took him between two markers and allowed him to head past Brad Friedel.
Blackburn offered much huff and puff, and two good openings wasted by youngster Matt Derbyshire, before Henry killed off the game with magnificent link play with Cesc Fabregas and a quite breathtaking finish from just inside the area.
“It’s very satisfying because it was three different competitions but there’s a continuity there that’s very pleasing,” said the manager of a fruitful week in Lancashire. “With different teams we have reproduced the same games, the same spirit and the same quality and we are very proud of that.”
Wenger believes his players have proved they will no longer fall victim to bullying tactics.
“At the beginning of the season I felt we were not as committed away from home as we are now. We have learned a lot, we now have the right balance now between what is needed in the Premiership without losing our football.”
With Manchester United looming, Wenger insists Arsenal realise a late title challenge is unrealistic.
He added: “Sunday will be an exciting game, it’s a great challenge for us and a good opportunity for us to show that we have made great progress.
“The title is not realistic but we go game by game and against United it’s just another opportunity to take three points and reduce the distance.”
Arsenal have won seven times at Ewood Park — more than any other team in Premiership history
Blackburn have picked up more cards than any other teams — 53 yellows and three red while Arsenal have committed fewer fouls than any other team in the top flight — 236.
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