ARS 1-1 MCI, Port Vale 0-2 ARS, NEW 1-2 ARS: Grit

 A great counter from the Citizens ended with Haaland slotting past Raya early.  Arsenal huffed and puffed but nothing worked until Eze lofted a long ball that sub Martinelli took past his marker and after running at the keeper lobbed it delicately over Donnaruma for the equalizer.  It was not what I was hoping for, but better than losing.

The EFL match with Port Vale was fairly routine.  I'm not sure Vale had a shot on goal, or even a shot.  They defended well but the Gunners bagged a goal in each half to progress.  Brighton is up next in this tournament.

Newcastle gave us the usual difficult time at St James's Park, where we've lost 1-0 in our last three league games.  That was the score at the half and deep into the second half, but this time the Geordies were scored on via an 84th minute Merino header off a short corner routine.  The Magpies were defeated on another corner, Odegaard assisting (who else) Gabriel Magalhaes in the 96th minute.  Most satisfying.

After Palace's well deserved win over Liverpool, we are two points off the lead, with Palace just a point behind us.  We host Olympiacos midweek and then West Ham, and then there's the international break.

Crystal Palace 2 Liverpool 1

 A miracle.  An early 1-0 lead stood for a long time, and then Liverpool as expected, tied it up.  The stoppage time seemed destined to end in a fully satisfying 1-1 draw, but then a long throw in gave us a Nketiah score off a melee in front of the goal that survived a VAR and we had won, 2-1.  

ARS 3-0 NF and ATH 0-2 ARS: Starting to Click?

 It takes a while to integrate new players, and Arsenal started five summer acquisitions against Forest.  The front line of Madueke, Gyokeres, and Eze was dangerous the whole game, but the main damage to Forest was done by another new boy, Martin Zubimendi.  His first half volley off a headed clearance of a corner was sublime, flying past defenders and keeper with the barest of touches.  The visitors fashioned few chances, but defended well for the most part.  The game was effectively iced right after the restart.  Calafiori sent a long pass to Eze, whose pinpoint cross found Gyokeres steaming into the penalty area to slam it into the net.  The third goal came late, Trossard lofting a good cross where the onrushing Zubimendi met it with his head, guiding the ball past the keeper.  A good day at the office.

Our first Champions' League game starred players we've had for a few years.  The newly acquired front line (costing almost $200M) started again, but there was no score in a hard-fought physical contest until Trossard came in for Gyokeres and Eze was replaced by Martinelli.  The latter was on the pitch less than a minute before Trossard flicked a ball into his path at the halfway line and two touches later was dribbling fast towards the keeper, tucking the shot past him for the all-important first goal.  It was Martinelli's turn to assist Trossard 15 minutes later, storming past his man and cutting it back for Trossard's clever run.  He sorted out his feet and shot, and a defender deflected it past the helpless Unai Simon for 2-0.  It gave Arteta the chance to throw Norgaard on for his first taste of ECL action in a long career.  I love that those guys were the ones to make the breakthrough.  Both were potentially for sale for the right offer, but they stayed and they've proven their worth.  This Arsenal squad is the deepest it has ever been.  No Jesus, no Saka, no Havertz, no Odegaard, no Saliba, no White--no problem.  Mosquera looks like the bargain buy at £15M.  He plays almost as well as Saliba, who won't have to be rushed back now that there's adequate cover.  Obviously, we miss the players out injured and will be better when they're available.  Most will probably be playing in October.  Havertz may be back before the end of the year.  Jesus won't appear in a game until sometime next year.  As long as we keep winning, there won't be much agitation from the men who think they should be getting more playing time.

City's up next at the Emirates, then trips to Port Vale (EFL Cup) and Newcastle, then we host Olympiacos (ECL) and West Ham, all with three or four days "rest" (they train) in between.  Then the international break.  What a luxury to have quality backups at every position.

LIV 1-0 ARS: Costly Loss

 In a game where nether side showed much offensive threat, the difference was a spectacular free kick in the 83rd minute from Szoboszlai from thirty-some yards out.  It kissed the left upright a foot or so under the crossbar; Raya was unable to get more than a fingertip on it.  Both teams lost important players:  Saliba came off in the sixth minute, and Konate came off late.  It didn't look good for either central defender.  Wirtz also went down for Liverpool.

 I have to say that the home side played better and deserved the win.  It will take Arsenal a while to integrate the new guys properly, and they will have to, with all the injuries.  It's back to the drawing board for Arteta.  It does not ghet much easier after the international break.

ARS 5-0 LEE and Eze Comes Home

 Before this game started, I was thinking that anything less than four goals would be a disappointment.  So I'm happy.  We were doing that Arteta thing where control is key, but were attacking with a bit more freedom this game.  That was mostly because Leeds was a lot easier to play against than Man U, but it's a real confidence builder to score so freely in the league no matter who the opponent is.  The goals were all good, in their separate ways.  Saka's might have been the pick of the bunch, but Gyokeres's first was a fine solo run and shot, and his penalty was exquisite.  Timber's goals off Rice corners were both great, with the deft header edging the scrappy toe poke while falling for style.  I'm still not convinced that the penalty was merited, but so what?  Dowman had a good substitute appearance.

The injuries to Odegaard and Saka were blows, but we have decent cover now and we can weather their absences a lot better than we could last season.

And we'll see Eberechi Eze soon enough.  Cut from the Arsenal youth ranks at age 13, he always hoped he'd be back with the Gunners and now he is.  If he's anywhere near as good as he was for Palace he'll be fantastic.  He's the sort of player Arteta will just have to make room for.  He works best in central midfield, but I would not be surprised to see him start on the left wing and move inside while Calafiori overlaps.  With the security of Rice alongside and Zubimendi behind him, he can go nuts.  And Big Vik is there as the target man and for wall passes.

I'm afraid that we may have to sell Kiwior and Viera (and Lokonga and Zinchenko at least) at cut rates just to bring in some cash and to trim the squad, which is way too big now.  I applaud the owners for going all in and buying both top talent and depth, buying proven performers and young guys to develop, and buying defenders, mids, forwards, and a fine backup keeper.  And what an academy pipeline we have going!  I'm very optimistic.  

MNU 0-1 ARS: I'll Take It

 Had United scored and come away with a point, it would have been no more than they deserved.  We got outshot and outplayed.  I thought our midfield was going to boss the game, but Amorim's tactics were good enough to neutralize our playmakers.  They spread the ball wide and worked on penetrating the penalty area from there, and it nearly paid off several times.  Some good goalkeeping and great defending were just enough to preserve our early lead.  Speaking of goalkeeping, United's keeper was very poor for the goal.  Had Calafiori not nodded the ball across the line from inches out, it would have been an own goal. 

Gyokeres had little service, and when he did find some space, he lost the ball.  Zubimendi was good.  Madueke didn't do much when he came on.  I didn't hear Rice's name enough; he was a disappointment.  Havertz did fine when he replaced Gyokeres.  Odegaard looked like he did last season, which isn't great.  I love his energy, but in this game he was not finding good passes and his shooting was sub-par.

But give the Red Devils their due:  they played really well.  I expect them to fight for a top five spot.

************

I did not write about the transfer market.  Arsenal bought big, and now they need to sell.  There are too many players.

USA* 2-2 CRC (4-3): Freese Comes Up Big in Gold Cup Quarterfinal

 What a frustrating game.  A sloppy penalty allowed los Ticos to take the lead, then Tillman hit the post with a PK a little later.  A big deflection gave the US a goal shortly after the restart, but Costa Rica equalized when their winger dribbled between two defenders in our box (that should never happen) and when he fired straight at Freese, our GK blocked it right back to him, and he picked out a great pass which was finished expertly.  In the penalty shootout, the US had the advantage three times when Freese made very good saves.  The first two advantages were wiped out by a Navas save and Berhalter shooting over the bar, but the third was put away by Downs for a hard fought win.  In truth, we made it harder than it needed to be.

Mexico strolled past Saudi Arabia, but the favorites in the other two quarters lost on PKs.  Canada and Panama are out.  Guatemala should not trouble the US, and Mexico ought to brush aside Honduras, setting up the classic Gold Cup final.  But anything can happen.

I thought we played rather well.  Costa Rica was missing several important players, and they had difficulty keeping us out of their third.  Navas made two fantastic saves.  The US squad should develop nicely together.  It's all about the World Cup next year.