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Official complaint

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Howard Webb is the Premier League's no1 Ref, the go-to-guy for the big match. Now I, as many Arsenal fans, have never enjoyed him reffing our matches particularly, but that didn't mean to say I think of him as an inept referee.

Moreover, I always felt that he tried to officiate the game in the right manner, not too whistle-happy, never afraid of making a big decision.

But after his 'big' decision to send off Adebayor against Liverpool on Sunday, I can't help but think he is fast-becoming the new Graham Poll.

Brandishing a second yellow card to a striker for simply protecting the ball - a fundamental part of the game - leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Players have been using their arse to protect the ball for years.

Kenny Dalglish was the King and Gazza was second to none at shielding the ball.

Even wee Michael Owen has skilfully learned to protect the ball now that his pace has left him. It's an art form.

Adebayor may have lunged in with his foot, but not in an attempt to 'do' Arbeloa. He planted that foot down to then get in position to shield Arbeloa from the ball and roll him, which he did.

Anybody who's ever played the game would have realised there was no malice or intent, in fact there was minimal contact - it wasn't even a foul. Ridiculous. I hope we don't see anymore decisions like that this season, but I won't hold my breath.

We keep hearing that refereeing is a tough job, but when you compare the quality of referees in the Premier League to the Champions League it really is embarrassing.

I would love to see some ex-pros become referees as I'm certain they would gain immediate respect and would be better-placed to judge a foul correctly and act accordingly within the moment of a match, rather than shoot from the hip with yellow and red ones.

Ex-cricketers have gone on to make very good umpires, but maybe because they were not in the position to retire at 35 with a few million in the bank, or because they couldn't walk into a media job.

Over and out

Arsenal really are simply just playing for fourth place now, especially as Fabregas has been ruled out for up to four months.

Le Boss has to blow the cobwebs off the cheque book and bring in a couple of midfield players to replace Cesc.

We also need a centre half and a striker/wide man if Eduardo is not ready to play a part.

But I'm certain Wenger won't break the bank to do it, and why should he.

A balance needs to be met as Arsenal Football Club's self-sufficiency policy is on course, which I am proud of, but it can't be at the expense of Champions League football. That would be unthinkable.

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