THE BEST PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM, ARSENAL, SEDUCED THE PARISIAN CROWD AND PLAYED THE COURAGEOUS RACING
— Gabriel Hanot | 13/11/1930 —

What 27,000 spectators saw yesterday afternoon in Colombes, it is the best professional team in England, but not 100/100, as we now say in cinema jargon.

What was it missing, since it had its elite of players: David Jack, the man who illustrates the propaganda film of the F.F.F.A., produced in front of most of the French regional leagues; Alex James, the Scottish inside left, considered this season to be the best forward in the world; Lambert, the "future England centre-forward"; the wingers Hulme and Bastin, whose crosses were marvels...

The Arsenal team, as it competes in the championship and the FA Cup, lacked the vigor of play which makes professional football an extremely athletic sport, where the charge plays a role that we are unaware of more and more in France.

The crowd was astonished and even scandalised when, two or three times, Arsenal captain and right-back Parker, with his chest out, knocked over one or two Racing players like skittles. The crowd, in its misinterpretation of the rules of football, even whistled at centre-forward Lambert, who loyally charged the little goalkeeper Tassnin shoulder to shoulder, so much so that the referee, Mr Jones, himself blew his whistle and penalised him. I am sorry that Mr Jones had to intervene on this occasion; Lambert's charge was powerful, but it was in no way violent or brutal, and the game had to be allowed to develop. If Tassin wanted to avoid being charged, he had to get rid of the ball. All Lambert did was force him to play. Let us reiterate once again that the goalkeeper in possession of the ball is not a sacred being for whom we must have respect; he is a player like any other, subject to the same rules of the game, and he even has the immense advantage over the other footballers of being able to use his hands.

So let him enjoy it, but without going so far as to look as startled and scandalised as a mother carrying her child in her arms and being jostled a little as she gets on the bus.

Deprived of one of their favourite weapons, Arsenal only found their rhythm in the second half. In the first 45 minutes, they settled into the Racing camp and were only dislodged by breakaways. However, they played sluggishly, as if they were holding back, as if they were afraid they wouldn't make it to the end.

It must be believed, however, that the attrition work was perfectly effective, since, after the break, the Racing team found itself completely on its knees. By dint of rushing into space, turning around to get back in front of their opponents, and running like lost dogs in every direction of the pitch, the Parisians were gradually reduced to showing their presence. No doubt they were in excellent athletic condition, but they had exhausted themselves plugging the gaps that were opening up on all sides of their defence. So it was no surprise that in the second half, and with increasing ease as the minutes ticked by, goals were falling with the frequency and regularity of rain in Paris this year.

Arsenal withdrew in satisfaction, winning by 7 goals to 2; but it would be unfair not to recall that at half-time, Racing, against all prevision and hope, were leading by 2 goals to 1. Thus Racing forced the British to fight for victory, and the crowd asked no more of the 1930 French Cup finalist.