Arsenal: Rio Ferdinand Criticism Completely Illogical
After Arsenal pummelled Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday, Mesut Ozil uploaded a celebratory photo to Instagram which Rio Ferdinand wrongly criticised.
There weren’t many negatives for Arsenal in their thrashing of Chelsea on Saturday evening. The concerning potential reoccurrence of a knee injury from last season for Francis Coquelin is certainly a major worry, but other than that, the scintillating 3-0 win brought far more good than bad.
That is in the eyes of almost everyone. While praises were gushing for the free-flowing attacking football, bristling pace, power and precision accompanied by rock-solid defensive shape from much of the media, there was one man who saw the negative after banishing the Chelsea hoodoo.
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Rio Ferdinand, a long-time rival of the Gunners, stated after the match in his analysis with BT Sport that the celebrations of the Arsenal players, in particular, the public shows of self-admiration of social media, were simply fuel for the fire of rivals, criticising the over-the-top scenes that followed what ultimately culminated in just three points:
Unless you’re winning, that gives everyone else ammunition. You don’t even have to have a team talk. I’d put that [the picture] up in the changing room next time I play Arsenal. I know for a fact there will be players around the country going ‘do you see them lot, they’ve only won one game. I’d shut that down [if I were a manager].”
The post that he had issues with is the following from Mesut Ozil’s Instagram account:
What Ferdinand is missing, though, is what these celebrations are for. Arsenal’s demolition of Chelsea brought far more than a measly three league points. It was, as Wenger stated before the match, a confirmation that this side is on the up. This was a public statement of intent, not just a mere performance that allowed another tick in the win column come season end.
Wenger’s side lost both their matches to their South London rivals in rather emphatic style last season – despite the Blues suffering a horrific season at the hands of Jose Mourinho. This year, however, they dominated a side that has caused them a whole host of problems in recent history. As Ozil’s post suggests, he and his team are now ready to push on for the league title.
Ferdinand is criticising the premature celebrations of what is nothing more than a league win. While, if that were true, his argument would be a valid one, he forgets the significance of the win for the club, the supporters and the players. This was a confidence-giving win and for that, celebrations are more than welcome.