Philosophical Barton shows baser instincts
And there were plenty of interpretations being offered after what would have been a non-event only for Barton making a mountain out of a molehill, similar to the one Gervinho must have tripped over when sparking the anger of the Newcastle midfielder in his failed efforts to earn a penalty.
However, Barton quickly surrendered the moral high ground in attempting to haul the Arsenal forward to his feet. After, at best, minimal contact he swiftly fell to earth to help earn the debutant a red card after feeling the full ‘force’ of a gentle tap on the chin from the recent €12.2m summer signing from French champions Lille.
The next time he quotes him on Twitter, Barton might like to read Nietzsche’s stringent thoughts on hypocrisy, that being the only word to sum up the player’s actions: “Hypocrisy has its place in the ages of strong belief: in which even when one is compelled to exhibit a different belief one does not abandon the belief one already has.”
Another man used to coming out with philosophic phrases added fuel to the growing fire. “You know as well as I do that he’s not been hit enough to lie down like that for two minutes,” was Arsene Wenger’s account of the action.
For seemingly stooping to the same depths as Gervinho, Barton was unapologetic. Outlining his reasoning in a late night round of Twitter postings to his ever increasing band of followers, who are hooked by a potent mix of the sublime and the ridiculous from a player who may have many faults.
“My job is to do the best for my team, not to keep Gervinho on the pitch,” he insisted. “There’s more to football than kicking a ball. What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows with him? If you raise your hands to players’ faces, you should be off.”
Sadly, Barton didn’t appear to see the double standards when he added: “If I stayed up or went down, it’s not relevant, he raises his hands.”
It clearly was relevant, Barton’s reaction helped hasten Gervinho’s departure, though the African did himself few favours.
“What do I have to gain by standing and trading with him?” said Barton.
“Nothing. I hate cheats who dive to win penalties. If there’s contact go down but don’t blatantly try to con the referee.” He would do well to take on board his own advice.
Barton had more justification to feeling aggrieved at the way Alex Song cynically trod on his Achilles with the Newcastle midfielder prone on the turf, an act of malice that is likely to land the Arsenal player in trouble with the powers that be. After Barton’s part in Abou Diaby’s sending off here on Arsenal’s previous visit in February, a thrilling 4-4 draw this contest was never likely to live up to, Wenger didn’t rule out the possibility of trying to sign the 28-year-old who remains on the transfer list.
Arsenal’s travelling supporters urged the Frenchman to spend some money during an uninspired 90 minutes, but it’s unlikely they had the Scouser in mind. A similarly toothless display could have far more serious ramifications on Tuesday in the Champions League qualifier against Udinese.
“Nobody dismisses signing Joey Barton,” Wenger said. “I joked that maybe we would solve the problem we seem to have with him by signing him. He is sometimes a victim of his temper but he is a great player.”
NEWCASTLE: Krul (5); Simpson (9), S Taylor (7), Coloccini (6), R Taylor (7); Barton (6), Cabaye (6), Tiote (5), Gutierrez (6); Shola Ameobi (4), Ba (4).
Subs: Obertan (7) for Ba (46), Best (6) for Ameobi (73), Lovenkrands (5) for Cabaye (81).
ARSENAL: Szczesny (8); Sagna (6), Koscielny (9), Vermaelen (7), Gibbs (5); Song (6); Arshavin (6), Ramsey (7), Rosicky (6), Gervinho (5); Van Persie (7).
Subs: Walcott (7) for Arshavin (61), Frimpong for Rosicky (85), Djourou for Ramsey (90).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
