Chelsea FC Beat Arsenal: 5 Things Learned From The London Derby
5. Embrace the realities of the contemporary game
The journalists don’t need to go to another Premier League game this weekend because they already have their major story from the London Derby. The incidences leading to Gabriel’s dismissal is a classic example of a contemporary top flight football game.
Costa might be getting a lot of stick from the Arsenal fans and also from the papers tomorrow for his theatrics, but what we need to understand is that such antics are a part of the game. Costa’s behavior, the biting of Luis Suarez or even diving in general are features that have unfortunately become vital pieces of the modern football puzzle.
The game has progressed a lot in terms of technological advancements like the introduction of goal line technology which have definitely helped fairness. But there are always two sides to a coin. With such advantages come many disadvantages too.
The need and hunger to win is so important nowadays in this cut-throat competition that the managers and players are willing to do anything for it.
Costa’s behavior where he influenced the referee which led to Gabriel’s sending off, for me, is not a surprise because if the tables had been turned, we all know how hell-bent the Arsenal players would have been on sending off the Brazilian.
What we can do, or should I say we have to do, is to accept such changes and reforms in the modern game and get along with it. There is always an unattractive side to the beautiful game and we as avid followers will have to accept the change or risk getting left behind.
Maybe in the future we will see developments such as TV match officials. Should that happen, players’ behaviours will evolve and the fans would have to adapt as well. However, this is where we currently stand and there are no two ways about it.
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