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Hyvää huomenta Positivistas,
I admit I anticipated problems this morning in producing anything vaguely readable or fresh about yesterday’s game. Different competion to the 4th December but same score, same result, almost the same players, same one-eyed nonsense from Sam Allardyce about how his side deserved “more” from the game, same weather, same bloody goal-scorers for Gawd’s sake….Ok Ok, Lee Cattermole was not booked but could I weave 600 words from such a handful of limp straw ? …………… What is an artist to do ??!
Well like all the truly greats when faced with a blank canvas I go out and steal.
And my choice of burglary victim was “A Love Supreme” the biggest and, it seemed to me, the most sophisticated of Sunlun fan sites. Those Mackems and their match report did not disappoint;
“Sunderland lost 3-1 away to Arsenal in a game where we were undone by a side with far more quality in their ranks. An early goal from Jermain Lens gave the travelling fans hope, but three great goals from Arsenal saw us eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle.”
“Sam Allardyce had explicitly stated he would name a team of youngsters down at Arsenal, partly down to our league position, but also down to the horrendous fixture congestion which we’d been conned into, having to play three games just days apart. Whether he had a change of heart, or it was just mind games, that wasn’t how the starting XI ended up, at all.”
I could not have put it better myself, saved all that tedious crowing about us being clearly the better side. (Using a word like “explicitly” about Fat Sam’s pronouncements is also ‘cutting edge’ in my view). Describing the second half they went on to say;
“Their passing was very impressive, and the pace in which they played seemed too sophisticated for us.”
“It was almost deja vu the way Arsenal worked their way in for the second goal — passing, moving, and scoring goals is obviously something they’re proficient in, unfortunately we wouldn’t know anything about that, ourselves”
And for all our readers interested in the topic of refereeing A Love Supreme’s commentator added this pithy observation;
“Arsenal should have scored again after Giroud was played through on goal. He was brought down by Deandre Yedlin, who just full-on charged into him. It was a definite penalty, but the ref wasn’t having it. Hilarious. Not very often those decisions go our way, and what a waste of a time to cash that in. The game is already gone!”
Such painfully honest writing deserves to be read in its whole excruciating sequence of revelation and self torture. It is the sheer truthfulness that gets me. (I’m welling up here) I attach a link at the bottom of the page.
As I say I think they have it spot on. We were far superior from minute one to minute ninety three. We found it difficult to score a second and really get a solid grip on the game but the introduction of Aaron and Mikel raised the pace of our attacking game in the final third and the quality of our passing just above the level that Sunlun could cope with. The outcome after that was pretty much inevitable.
Pats on the back for Joel and young Alex Iwobi, the Ox was much livelier and even Theo was much more involved. Chambers is growing into his job in midfield, bit erratic but loads of energy. And don’t forget Cech. What saves Petr had to make where performed in a manner that made the difficult look common-place, a trait of all great keepers.
If I was looking for areas of improvement I thought we looked a little edgy in the centre of defence to the high ball and Fetcher caused us a few problems. I expect Per will be back for Anfield as instead of the ageing Fletcher it will be Benteke swooping through the air six yards out.
Enjoy your Sunday and roll on Wednesday.
http://www.a-love-supreme.com/Match%20Reports/matcharsenalawaycup.htm
Positively Arsenal 
That’s a magnificent review A5.
Brilliant that you quoted from Mackems site.
Forgive me but whilst I seethed with fake outrage at MOTD not showing the penalty assault, Lawro came up with the following (look out for suppressed giggles from Gab and Trev):
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Very enjoyable write up Anicoll. I still have not seen the game, I’m a law abiding citizen waiting for Arsenal Player to provide the full match and highlights at noon today. I’ve seen the goals of course on MOTD and they look delicious.
Very refreshing honesty from the Macam blogger it would seem.
Rosicky back soon too……
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The old fart’s thoughts:
Arsenal rang the changes with Ozil, Rambo, Nacho, Per and Flamster missing or on the bench. In fairness, it didn’t seem to make all that much of a difference early on and whilst we were playing neat football chances created were few. Best of the lot was Kieran’s whose shot was well saved by the debutant Sunlan keeper. Olly was doing his normal bit, holding up the ball but was let down to a large extent by Theo who wasn’t overly ambitious.
And then Sunlan took the lead. What a cock up shared by Kieran (30%) and Kos (70%). It was a really horrible mistake (plural) and Petr had no chance of saving Lens’ shot.
But we’ve been there before with Sunlan no more than 5 weeks ago, so it was no surprise when we equalized. Theo did well on the left and crossed to Joel Campbell who calmly took the chance. Joel was quite impressive with his efforts both defensively and on attack. He looked by far the sharpest of the forwards.
A few attempts but no further goals and we switched over level at half time.
Woodwork got in the way of both sides with the Ox slamming a good shot against the post, closely followed by a header against the bar from Sunlan. This was a sign for the substitutions to start
Promising work from young Alex Iwobi who looked quite bright on the day but he was substituted for Rambo. Ox found Hector Bellerin with a good cross field pass and his cross to Rambo led to an easy score from close range. It was now all Gooners and Hector repeated the dosage when he skipped through and delivered an inch perfect pass to Olly who was left with a tap in. Pickford who’d previously made a great save from Campbell was not a happy camper. He had a good debut and as an individual, did not deserve to have had 3 goals past him. The rest of his team could be grateful that Atkinson was as biased against us as usual and turned down a clear penalty when Olly was brought down. Honestly if I never see him again (not to mention Dean and Taylor) taking charge of an Arsenal game it will be too soon. Here’s hoping for progress on the video checking front.
Next up the Scallies. Couldn’t see any injuries so a fullish squad should be available on Wednesday. Keep the faith.
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another great write up although the post was a little late and the A5OB will be out in force shouting that A5 he was once brilliant but hes lost it.
As I predicted yesterday the first goal would be all important (so it was the third but whos counting i’m not Mel for fucks sake). It did show however that even with a young side we could still show the character to come back and continue to play our football without panicking. The fact the ref was so biased against us and stopped alot of our flow and time made the performance even better.
The squad players getting game time, growing in confidence and not looking out of place must be the biggest plus as we will need them in the coming months if we are to complete the treble.
barcelona ha.
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a pointless rule change
https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/one-of-the-oldest-rules-in-football-has-just-been-changed-forever/?CMP=spklr-_-S9DreamTeam-_-FBPAGE-_-DreamTeam-dreamteamfc-_-20160110-_-DreamTeamSocial-_-326491473-_-Imageandlink
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Wonderful A5, just wonderful. Use of the Mackems report was brilliant simply because it is so brutally honest. We, meaning us PA peasants, said much the same here and on Twitter but we are biased one-eyed extremists. I bow to your genius, sir.
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Good morning Posidivistas.
I thought the first 20 minutes yesterday the team were a bit on edge, a lot of new faces not used to each other’s positioning and runs, also without the fluffy feathered comfort duvet of missing Özil and Ramsey to pull the play together.
The lads on the pitch did eventually gel into it, even coping well when they went a goal down.
Poor Makems, Gooners should be entirely grateful to the wonderful fare produced for their delectation at the Emerites and away, by our Tactically adept and modern looking manager, instead of thelling him when they think he got some minute and probably imaginary facet of the game wrong.
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http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/49436?
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that untold link raises the question as to why the media ignored the awful performance by Atkinson yesterday
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The timing of Sunlun’s goal yesterday was helpful just 20 minutes into the game and allowed us a long time to recover from the set back. Three years back against Blackburn the timings were reversed, with fatal consequences.
Gf I got to the end of the piece and having put it up noticed I had not mentioned Ozil. I don’t really think the game would have developed or the result been different if our German was conductor had been on the rostrum. A valuable weekend off and I was pleased he avoided even the bench.
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It would Eddy, it would
Why do you think ” the media avoided the awful performance of Atkinson yesterday” ?
I presume you think it is an important topic ?
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It was brutally honest Shotts and fair play to em. Unlike their manager they do not hide behind spurious excuses and scapegoats when they lose to a better team ( other than the unfortunate Billy Jones ).
In the same circumstances I shall aspire to achieve their bar of honesty.
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Excellent Andrew and also your mackem contributor.
I do agree re the high ball thing in the middle of defence and per’s absence was clear, for all who care to open their eyes, to see.
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yes anicol I do think it is an important question, what is the reasons behind the way the report everything, not only football, and I use the term report very loosely, as for me, in the most part, they do not report, they decide what is and isn’t news or worth telling.
In their coverage of football, why do they target one player, one club, and ignore another player or club, why do the report lies as fact e.g. Arsenal stadium debt paid off, Arsenal wages higher than CFC’s, why is Rooney’s years of abusive language towards refs ignored, why has Refs letting him away with it not been highlighted, why is Arsenal’s number of years without a BPL title so often needlessly mentioned, but LFC’s not, why is the constant diving of some English players ignored,
As the Untold article says, it can be ignored if one or two outlets fail to highlight something of note, it can be passed off as an oversight, but when all or almost all of them do, then the question why needs to be asked.
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“Seemed too sophisticated for us”.
Oh yes! That’s this Arsenal, a sophisticated bunch, a sophisticated manager and what a sophisticated performances indeed.
Thanks Andrew. Those Sunlun guys saw the game the way we did and one can only commend them for not laying into Big Sam’s lack of tactics, waiting till the last minute to make subs, turning on their CB for turning slower than milk, their DM who lost the ability of his legs or blaming their striker’s lack of greyhound-esque speed as the reason for the defeat. They just acknowledged their opponents sophistication in pacing themselves and growing into the game as it went on and how despite an early goal they were totally outplayed.
Great moment for Iwobi and the Jeff. Bellerín is a damn freak. Arsène better sign him to a lifetime contract.
Just how fucking awesome is Aaron Ramsey? Arteta’s passing was effortless as he recycled the ball to keep Sunlun on the back foot. I now can honestly say I feel good as we enter the “run in”. Teams will have to play out of their skins and need a bit of help from the refs if they wanna better us over 90 minutes.
Next stop Anfield!
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in the BPL this season after 20 games, Arsenal have used 21 players, with 2 of those players not having started a game, and 3 more with only 2 starts each and only 12 players into double digit start figures.
our starting 11 so far this season has been
Cech(20)
Bellerin(18) Mertesacker(15) Koscielny(17) Monreal(19)
Coqeulin(12) Cazorla(14)
Ramsey(16) Ozil(19) Alexis(13)
Giroud(14)
subs Walcott(11), Flamini(7), Gabriel(7), Oxlade-chamberlain(6), Campbell(6), Gibbs(2), Chambers(2), Debuchy(2)
Arteta and Iwobi have only been used as sub, Ospina has been an unused sub and players not to have started a game for AFC in the league this season are Wilshere, Welbeck, Rosicky
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so we should have the Elnenny signing confirmed today or tomorrow, Wenger was asked about signings after the Sunderland game he said
“We hope to announce a player in the next 24 to 48 hours.
“I don’t need to tell you the name. After that we will see [about other deals].”
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My question was Eddy ” why do you think the media avoided reporting Atkinson’s performance is important ?”
Your answer appears to be it is important because it is important.
Why, or to whom, or because of what cause or effect is it “important” ?
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simply put ani its an important question cos supporters need to be aware that the media are not to be relied upon to be even, fair minded, un-biased, and to report without an agenda, its important for fans to understand that they can not rely upon the media to give them the whole picture, the whole truth, or to give deep analysis of the game and its issues, and in fact that they will do the exact opposite in many cases, that there is more at play than just a simple oversight from one or two reporters, here or there, on this or that. People need to be far more open to free thought and believing in their own perception of what they saw for themselves.
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Positively Arsenal @Blackburngeorge 50m50 minutes ago North West, England
If Giroud can’t get a penalty for that yesterday, we should expect non from here on in.
it stinks to high heavens, it straight away reminded me of the penalty we got v Aston Villa, no not that it was similar in any physical way, but that it was such an obvious penalty and neither ref called it, lucky for us the assistant who was furthest away from the incident had the gumption to call it. Sadly yesterday no such official was in attendance. Why in such a short space of time has two such high profile refs failed to spot/call such obvious penalties in Arsenal games, why did the officials so badly err on 3 goals in our game v Southampton in between too.
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Chelsea have dominated youth football in England in recent years, and even won the Youth CL, yet Chelsea at home to Scunthorpe today in the FA Cup and not a youth product to be seen. Chelsea team today: Begovic; Ivanovic (c), Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Diego Costa.
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Oxford beat Swansea 3-2 today.
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just realized THFC are playing LCFC both today in the FAC and on Wednesday in the BPL, a couple of draws would be nice.
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sorry, don’t know what I was thinking with that last post, of course it should have been a couple of THFC defeats would be nice.
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So you don’t think the media not bothering about Atkinson’s refereeing yesterday could be because it was not much of a feature in a game that Arsenal ( again) won quite easily against Sunlun then eddy ? That the topic was not worth wasting ink or digital space on such a trivial item. That no-one would be interested in it ?
Obviously other than those Arsenal fans who, irrespective of whether their Arsenal side win or lose or draw, have to find an issue to be grossly offended about, that they can fuel their sense of detached but exclusive paranoia, that the whole world is against the club. Fortunately there are channels in which the performance of Atkinson and every referee can be examined in exquisite slow motion multi directional comfort by such fans, and anyone else who can be bothered. Their faults can be highlighted, their weaknesses underlined , their parenthood called into question, they can be freely called “cunts” although I rather doubt if any would say that to the man face to face. Fair play to em and people who enjoy that sort of thing. Not my taste. Still a broad church is healthy, as long as it is tolerant.
Now admittedly if Atkinson’s error with the penalty had made the difference between Arsenal in the FA 4th round hat on Monday or going out then I am sure we would have heard about it, because then it would have been what is called ‘news’ even by the juvenile scratchers that pass for journalists nowadays.Arsene would have been in his back legs cursing, Sam would have denies seeing anything, great circus. Seen it before, heard it before. Could not care less.
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Of course it should be highlighted Andy.
In what other line do the media not like to relish highlighting incompetence?
Its not good enough to ignore it. How else will people be moved to push for better standards?
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Do you not think the media is not focusing on Louis van Gaal this morning George ? And getting its absolute fill of twisting the knife in its usual enthusiastic way. You are right, they love it, keep up the pressure on the Dutchman and they can force him out of his job. But the media ( social and mainstream) only have the attention span of fruit fly. LvG and the Mancs are interesting today – Atkinson is not.
As I say had we been in the wrong end of the result yesterday and whether it had been down to Atkinson or not the headlines would have been four inches high – as it was it is not worth a mention, other than for those who really care about these things.
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do me a favour ani, too trival for the media to bother with, come on, this is the same media who go on about Arsene Wenger’s problems with zippers. As for focusing on LVG, what has LVG got to do with the reports put in by the journos doing the AFC game. Its also nonsense to say if the non penalty had an effect on the result we would have seen lots about it in the media, well did we see lots about the 3 wrong called goals in the southampton game, no we got where mentioned at all the byline that they were wrong but did not affect the result,
the time to actually highlight these mistakes is when we win, so that it can not be dismissed as sour grapes.
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Positively Arsenal @Blackburngeorge 46m46 minutes ago North West, England
When everyone is fit(I know I know)the only question is Theo or Giroud at C/F. The rest are nailed on now.
really George, you think if everyone fit the first 11 is a certainty, so who do you see as the nailed on 10 of the 11.
I ask cos it is something I was only thinking about this morning, and picking midfield and attack was anything but nailed on. For example where to put Ramsey, what to do with Wilshere, theo on the wing or up front or sub, a fit and firing Arteta in or out, Cazorla main man or sub.
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Nice write up Andy – great to quote from the opposition camp. As you might imagine I’m not going to bite at your deliberate provocation pretending that the media repeatedly ignoring what is a massive issue in the game doesn’t matter.
Nice try but I won’t join with Eddy and George even though I of course agree with them. I saw your game on Twitter yesterday and you’re at it again. Naughty boy.
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Eddy – the only ‘nailed on’ players are surely Cech, Ramsey and Ozil.
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Monreal and Bellerin surely are too, Alexis and Kos too.
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Cech Bellerin, Per Kos,Monreal, Santi, Coq, Ozil, Ramsey Alexis,and Giroud or Theo.
Thats not my pick, its who the manager has preferred in his selections,
To ignore it then evidence has to be ignored.
Theo or Giroud are the only two that Arsene hasn’t 100% shown his hand on,
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I’m not sure why Koscielny is getting such a hard time about the goal we conceded yesterday. If we’re finding fault, I would say the pass from Gibbs on the edge of our box with an opposition player right on top of him was where things went wrong. And if we’re being picky we could also ask why Cech was so far off his line he didn’t have time to even react to the shot? Other than the one cock up, since we turned it around and won the game quite comfortably, the finger pointing seems churlish.
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Pass, I take your point. But he did make a mistake. Not sure its a thing mind, who doesn’t?
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george that has been AW’s selection without everyone fit, having Wilshere fit and even Arteta could change a lot of things.
passenal I disagree on Gibbs being at fault, Kos should have passed the ball first time to ox out to the left
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It could, but it won’t.
Just for interest who would Mikel and Jack oust?
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When they have been fit they have not been selected ahead of the others, Thats a fact.
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Let’s not forget the prospect of a fit and firing Welbeck. Wilshere too. Hopefully a month and a half away from decent match fitness.
What’s been so great about the run since the triple whammy to the squad (Coquelin, Cazorla & Sanchez) is that other players who will be needed in the months ahead have got some sharpness & confidence.
And developed combinations with the other players. For example a few weeks ago Campbell and Bellerin were not quite finding each other with the one twos or on the overlap etc. whereas yesterday we had Campbell’s sumptuous pass through for Bellerin to cross to Ramsey. They’re on the same wavelength now!
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It may have looked that way on T.V. eduardo, but watching it live in the stadium from right behind where it took place I don’t think he had time to control the ball and pass it anywhere. It all happened in seconds, I’m sure he was not even expecting to receive the pass there so barely had time to react never mind consider his passing options.
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*not forgetting the points haul thanks to those who’ve come into the squad in addition to the fitness etc.
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When we have sorted out whose fault it was (I’d go 70/30 Gibbs v Koscienly) hats off to the finishing from Lens – he punished the error the way a top top striker would punish it. Cracking strike.
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well jack is normally selected when fit, and till his injuries Arteta was automatic first choice, so until all are fit we will not know who AW sees as his first choice, I would say Arteta will no longer be seen as first choice, but after that who knows what six he would pick from Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Welbeck, Giroud, Alexis
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https://mobile.twitter.com/gunnerthoughts/status/686206913978195968/video/1
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This ‘first choice’ notion does not quite ring true. If Arsene was picking a side to play Villa at home, from a fully fit squad, would it be the same 11 he picked to play at the Camp Nou?
There are probably 4-5 names that I would always expect on the team sheet so they qualify as ‘first choice’ the other positions it depends on what we are trying to do, the opposition, the venue etc.
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After the opener for Southampton the other week following the error(s) you just new that Lens would come up with a quality strike from that half-chance.
Very important to get the early equaliser and I enjoyed the variation from Wally not cutting in (had a good shot in the first half cutting in) instead finding Campbell with an intentional and accurate if slightly scuffed pass/cutback following his dummy run towards the byline . That slight delay on the pass speed allowed JC to find his quality finish?
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And the selections will also be considering if the next game is in a week or three days, which players are fatigued and if the options to come are themselves fit (fingers crossed for welbeck and wilshere).
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There are other subtle little factors that may influence why one player starts rather than another – for instance Danny Welbeck I’d always play against the Mancs, Theo always against Spuds (they’re terrified of him), Ramsey against the Swans etc.
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And congratulations to Afobe on his move to Bourmouth and the PL.
I think it was two consecutive seasons he had out with big injuries, 18-20. He’s done well to rebuild his career following that setback.
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Tottingham lucky to still be in the Cup but now face a hard replay at the King Power – win/win for us
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