Martin Samuel's Debate: Nani's seal act showed Arsenal the respect they deserved

Lack of respect? Falling over in the penalty area when nobody has tripped you: that is a lack of respect. Playing half a team in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford: that is a lack of respect. But, in the middle of a match, running with the ball while juggling it masterfully between feet, knees and head? If you are good enough, then why not?

Nani did nothing wrong in his little moment of showboating on Saturday and paying fans know it. They want to be entertained, not to have Arsène Wenger put his best players on the bench, or to see Emmanuel Adebayor fall to the ground in a wretched attempt to win a penalty by cheating.

Arsenal surrendered the moral high ground long before they tried to hack down Manchester United’s winger as he performed his little seal act. They are lucky Nani didn’t blow raspberries and stop to make bunny ears as he dribbled around them, really. It was what their performance deserved.

The game is about skill. It is, in its purest form, about trying to do something that places one player beyond the ability of his opponent. That is why it is so terribly depressing to hear a chorus of disapproval greet Nani’s cameo. It was the highlight of a second half that had been rendered redundant by Arsenal’s inability to compete, yet even Sir Alex Ferguson said he would have a word with his player about treating opponents with dignity.

Nani gave Arsenal the respect they deserved. He demonstrated what a good player can do against a team who play without heart. And he showed that, in the heat of battle, he has the wit to keep the ball and shield it in mid-air, while dribbling, a display of dexterity as impressive as any seen this season.

Respect.

Is Nani a showman or a show-off? Vote now and leave your comments below.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Dennis Higgins]

I remember a game so many years ago now the exact date eludes me,It was Wolves in their prime playing Burnley at Molineux who at that time were also in the top flight,Peter Broadbent giving a masterful display leaving four Burnley players sitting on their bums as he dribbled and showboated around them, the game was thrilling we Hammered them I think it was 7-1 Broadbent that day was a master of the dribble,yes lots of so called showboating the whole crowd of forty odd thousand that day clapped continuously throughout the match, every Burnley player shook Broadbent by the hand after the match showing how much they thought of the mans skills,its a pity that some football managers have never seen the game as it was played many years ago pity is it is not present so much more in todays game

[Duncan]

Given the state of our pitch at the moment I would say that Nani was just dribbling the ball the best way he could without losing control. Maybe he was just sending a message to the groundsman. Great skill - I love to see entertainment but if we were 4-0 down and Scholes sent the showboater into the stands with one of his trademark "tackles" I wouldn't be crying. Although I might be appreciating the skill ten years later. Begrudgingly. Football is a tribal game. SAF is only worried about Nani becoming a target for defenders and getting injured.

[plaw999]

Brilliant, and I'm a Liverpool fan.

Have we not been deprived of skill and individuality for long enough ? Honest endeavour gets boring, and remember its only a game.

Nani should be applauded !

[ashton rest]

he was running towards his half with the ball chased by the least skilled of all Arsenal player, Hoyte. It was really pointless and absolutely USELESS because he could have kept the possesion by keeping the ball on his feet or by exchanging passes. If he had made a forward run instead of a backward run it would have been wonderful to watch. And player like henry or ronaldinho can show off because they have earned the right to do so...Nani has'nt!

[Alex]

Typical Arsenal response, if you get hammered at football then try to hammer the opponent's players and break their legs. Let's see:

- one player sent off for studs up in the groin
- one player who should have been sent off for kicking Nani (well I suppose he might get a little credit because he did manage to get his boot to connect with something solid in the game)
- Flamini trying to launch Nani into the hoardings after the incident in question (No worries really, he was playing for Arsenal, so not surprisingly - he missed)
- two players at full back who seemed to already be suffering from broken legs
- one forward who collapsed in the penalty area, but got a yellow card when the ref realized he was one Arsenal player who didn't actually have a broken leg
- one manager who suffered from humiliation - well, he was the Arsenal manager, so no surprise there.

And the net response arising from the most pathetic display seen at Old Trafford in years? "He was disrespectful It's OK to try to break his leg".

I rest my case.

[Andrew]

Why anyone should give a damn is a abit odd and even depressing. Is this the kind of thing people spend their thoughts mulling over? Arsenal were dire was the real story.
Last season, Ronaldo back heel in first minute against Milan away, gives ball away, Utd get hammered...That's when you show the right attitude; a tough, game where it matters. As usual, Ronaldo did nowt on the real stage. Nani, however one looks at it, was involved in a match where there was no opposition. The juggling a very minor detail in match long over.

[Hugo Carreira]

What some people have been calling the "unwritten rules" of the game is nothing more than bruised ego. How can someone defend a player hitting a professional colleague (something usually forgotten) with the argument of it being due to "lack of respect towards other players"? It has nothing to do with "respect" or "proper behavior", it's just a childish response.
Nani's responsibility lies with his employers and club supporters (those who pay his wages). Not with anyone else, and certainly not anyone from Arsenal.
Also, next time England loses a vital match because they couldn't hold the ball and control those last 20 minutes, maybe people should wonder whether this "macho" mentality -- where kids with the muscle and not necessarily the skill survive and get to play -- isn't partially to blame.

[Porlek]

The Arsenal team that played clearly wasn't their best and I'm sure a few of them will be better players in the future because of the defeat (and the manner of it).

As noted, Nani was spectacular and why not show off some skills? As for those people that keep saying it isn't that hard to do - not on a field on your own, or on a pitch on Sunday with a few half hungover beer-bellied blokes for competition, but against Arsenal (even that Arsenal line-up)? It really isn't as easy as you'd think.

I hope Fergie didn't tell Nani to quit it, as it was entertainment and Fergie is the one that keeps going on about entertaining the fans, so you'd think he'd encourage beautiful football.

As for those that seem to think that he deserves to be hacked down for showing skill - you are a dying breed (and thank God for that) as I think more and more people like beautiful football these days and not "slug it up the pitch" stuff.

Arsenal and the Arsenal supporters I actually have respect for, but Gallas and Arsene Wenger I have no respect for.

[Simon T]

Haha, Arsenal and respect... Did Keown, Viera and Cole show Van Nistelrooy respect by goading and hitting him after a penalty miss? Did Ian Wright show respect when he tried to break Schmeicels leg? Did Paddy Viera show respect when he tried to intimidate United players in the tunnel? Arsenal earned their name as cheats a long time ago, and of all the stone throwers in the Premier League, their glass house is biggest. All I know is that Nani earned a roar of approval from me and all around me, (although he was going away from the Stretford End) didn't threaten to end a career and didnt try to unfairly gain an advantage through "simulation". People try to kick the best talent off the ptch, but when they have managed to catch a Ronaldo, Giggs or Cantona- Neville, Vidic, and the legendary Keane would kick them twice as hard.

[Dave]

If you actually look at the incident there was not much else he could do. Getting control of the ball in that situation was difficult. It was really good defending. What else could he do?

The way people are reacting, you'd think he stopped in the middle of the pitch asnd started doing keep ups for 10 minutes.

Moreover, there is a brazilian called kerlon who actually uses the 'seal' all the time to great effect. Such a typlical English attitude to deride true skill. And you wonder why there are no English Messi's, Ronlado's or Pato's!

[Allyn]

remeber Zidane humiliate brazil at 2 world cups? or henry comicaly showing "lack of respect" to anybody taking his knees away? That man maradona humiliated a few in his day...did that dampen our lives? When lionel Messi does the same do we curse him?
The point is nani added a bit of excitement to a dull second half...he lifted arsenal if anything...they tried(even if it was to kick him)a bit rather than just watching United fer the previous 20 minutes of the half!!

[Bill]

My God, a 22 year old young man showing off in a way that does no harm to anyone and entertains millions. Ban him for life, kick him out of the country, and pass me some rotten fruit quickly.

What a sorry bunch of puritanical miserablists we've become.

[Will Fred]

What did Wenger say about that comedy penalty trick that went so badly wrong between Pires and Henry a couple of seasons back?

Were they showing respect to the opposition?

Suck a lemon Wenger.

[moor_fire]

wasn't that big a deal, henry used to do it often (juggling the ball while running) and he would be praised for his skill etc, not criticised for being 'disrespectful'. arsenal were just losing their temper and nani's trickery was obviously going to rile them. Understandably they were angry but they can have no real complaints in hindsight about a legitimate peice of skill. I'm an arsenal fan and i hope they bounce back fast, and then not let traore or hoyte anywhere near old trafford ever again. v embarassing.

[Bruin]

By complaining about the apparent disrespect to his players, Wenger has done an excellent job of deflecting attention from the manner in which they lost. The players disrespected themselves, the club and their supporters by their abject display. Why can't he be as honest as Ferguson was after the City game and admit that they just played badly. But we all know how myopic Wenger is and his legendary ability to miss any point in the game when his team commit a foul.

What worries me more is the number of people that seem to glory in the idea that if Nani continues to do this then he will get a good kicking from the opposition defenders - and that he will deserve it. Doing what Nani did may be showboating, but at least it is legal and fun to watch. What Gallas did was neither.

[jon b]

interesting, ive watched the nani ball juggling on youtube.

it wasnt showboating at all as most have said... the backheeled pass to nani was though. why are people complaining about that sealtrick, that was insulting.

nani was controlling the ball, in the only that was possible. great skill. if an arsenal player had done the same, it would have been great skill

[Stuart Goodwin]

Nani's mockery of Arsenal was brilliant and I really don't feel that the Gooners have any right to complain. In future, if they don't want to be laughed at they shouldn't play like clowns.

[M S M]

Hear hear!! It's nice to see someone finally talking a bit of sense. Lets ignore the fact for a moment that football, as said in the article, is a game of skill - Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the best players in the world for his ability - and highlight the fact that Nani had to keep possession in his defensive third. If a defender had headed it back to the goalkeeper to retain control of the ball for his team, there would be no problem!

As for Sir Alex Ferguson having 'a word' with Nani, I think that conversation may just be, "Do it again in the League game!"

Great article, and Brian - HA! Brilliant.

[James Pickles]

Haha. What was skilfull about what Nani did? Most professional footballers could do that but realise whats the point in juggling the ball to your own area, and think about how they can contribute more to the team. where did it get him? a full on (and legal) tackle from flamini is where. had he done it in and around the arsenal box then he should be praised and admired. as it is he just looked like a fool and woke up with a few bruises!

[John]

The majority of fans will see that what Nani did was an exceptional piece of skill and therefore think that it should be praised.

The majority of professional footballers will also see that what Nani did was an exceptional piece of skill. However in the context of the situation they would also have seen it as disrespectful to the opposition. That is why the Arsenal players reacted the way they did, the reaction is wrong but it is a human emotionally charged reaction to the situation.

On a side note I think in the current climate of players faking injury in attempts to get others booked or sent off, Gallas should be applauded for staying on his feet when Nani put his head to his. How often have we seen players fall down clutching their face to have the aggressor sent off?

[Brian]

How dare a player like Nani exhibit skill in a football match! How dare an even younger player, Anderson, look one way and pass the other on three separate occasions in the same game!Truly, truly deplorable. What we want more of is players trying to win a penalty through diving (badly), attempting to scythe down an opponent who dares to outclass them, or a player who is brave enough to give an honest, if somewhat petulant kick to an opponent whilst the referee is not watching. The fact that Nani did not roll around in agony when Gallas kicked him is a mark of his immaturity and an area of his game he needs to develop.

Excellent article - excellent result!

[Ali Gudgeon]

I think Nani was totally within his rights to "humiliate" Arsenal with his skill. Arsenal were terrible for the whole 90 minutes, completely over run by Manchester United. What I do find disgusting however is the fact that Gilberto took Nani aside (after Galas had had a swipe) and told him not to do it or he will get kicked. These overpaid nancies that we refer to as footballers should learn some humility for a change. If more of them acted as Eduardo did when he received his yellow card, with good grace and without a tirade of abuse at the referee, the game would be all the better. Arsenal should hang their heads in shame after such a dismal performance, NOT revert to throwing their toys and kicking the opposition because they couldn't get the ball. What a bunch of spoiled children!

[Daniel]

What does it matter? What did he achieve with the showboating? Towards his own corner away from any attack. A true classy player would've gone AT the opposition instead of away from them and actually tried to create something as opposed to just taking the piss.

[Brian]

I've read all comments and was wondering when would someone compare Nani's 'showboating' with the great George Best's 'p***taking' of defenders that he loved to do to in the 60's. We loved him for that, we loved him for the entertainment he brought to often otherwise dreary games and similarly dreary opponents. Rejoice in Nani. It's great to see talent entertain us. George coped with the kicks he received for 'taking the ****' but let's hope Nani can do this as well! He'll need to!

[pdxor]

Nani did nothing wrong. He was sprinting back toward his own goal to get the pass, and did a marvelous job of controlling the ball in order to keep possession. It was cheeky, but the Arsenal players just made themselves look foolish in their reaction to it. First one falls, then gets up and tries in vein to catch and/or shove him, and as another player slides in toward Nani's knees, the previous runs right up his back. Two minutes later Gallas takes a cheap shot, for which he could easily have been red carded. Was that kick any less petulant than Beckham's in the 1998 World Cup vs. Argentina? Not in the slightest.

Arsenal should feel humiliated though - at their own performance. They were pitiful.

As much as I respect Wenger and his teams for their ability and style of play, over the last 10 years there's often been something petulant and poor spirited about Arsenal when things go badly for them. Which tends to happen, more often than anywhere else, against United.