Welcome Leandro Trossard

 No Mudryk, no cry.  For a third of what we'd have spent on the young Ukrainian, we got the 28 year old Trossard from Brighton, where he was doing well but was at loggerheads with the new boss.  Honest, I've liked this guy for a couple years and was thinking he'd be a great addition.  He's a winger with some good ball handling skills but without the blistering pace of our current wingers.  Arteta is probably thinking about how he can combine with Odegaard in and around the box to create chances.  And Trossard can finish those chances, too, with either foot.  He can play across the front line and can do some playmaking as well.  He'll need to play more defense than he currently does, but he's no patsy in that department.  I hope the boss integrates him into the rotation in the next few weeks.

It looks as though we're getting Polish centerback Jakub Kiwior from Spezia in Serie A.  At just 22, he's battle-ready and may be a fixture at the Emirates for a decade.  Now if we can bolster our midfield, we'd be in good shape for the run-in.  The prospect of Lokonga having to step in for an injured Partey is worrisome.  Of course, Zinchenko can play midfield, but he's got a different skill set.

In two days, it's the return match with the team that beat us 3-1 at Old Trafford.  It ought to be a good one.

TOT 0 - 2 ARS: A Complete Performance

 Spurs have been a slow starting team, and Arsenal a quick starter.  We got two first half goals and made them stand up against a comeback-minded home squad that in truth did not deserve to get anything out of this game.  Our midfield was dominant.  The scoreline did not flatter the Gunners.  This was one of those games in which the goalkeepers made a big difference.  Ours was on it, but Lloris was not in top form.  He made a few smart saves, but both the goals raised questions about his positioning and reaction time.

Everyone in a red-and-white shirt (and Ramsdale of course) did himself proud today.  We moved the ball crisply and managed the game well after the two goal lead was established.  A Spuds fan managed to kick Ramsdale in the back after the game, which will certainly mean we won't see that thug in Tottenham's place again, which will only make it even quieter.  It's a squad that is not performing up to their talent level.  Kane must be regretting not leaving for a better team years ago.  He's one of the best strikers of his generation and has won nothing.  Spurs have cashed in big time on Berbatov, Modric, and Bale over the years and wasted it all, and I have no doubt they'll blow the $120M they'd get for Kane too.  But he's fastened himself to an anchor.

Well, that's another three points gained over City (beaten by Man U via a hilarious offside goal) and Spuds, meaning we're 8 points clear of our nearest rivals.  We're still thin but if injuries don't wreck us we have a very good chance of winning the league.  This victory, our first ever in this sradium, was huge.

Chelsea did what they usually do:  see what player the better-run clubs are after, then offer $15M more and get him.  Mudryk will be joining Felix, Pulisic, and the other overpaid bunch at Stamford Bridge.  No way is he worth what they paid, as good as he is, so it's on to Plan B, whatever that is.  I wonder if we can recall Balogun.  It will be at least two months before we get Jesus on the field again.

ARS 0 - 0 NEW

 Arsenal was the more attacking team but could not score.  Newcastle sat back for most of the game.  There was a lot of fouling too.  Arteta was going crazy on the sidelines.  Well, next game, right?

Unai Emery Turning Villa Around

 From today's Arseblog, on yesterday's TOT 0 - 2 AVL game:

In this incredible world we live in there are sounds that just feed your soul. Rolling thunder. Songbirds in the jungle. The majestic roar of a big cat. The ocean crashing on the shore. And Sp*rs fans booing their own team in a stadium that’s just way too big for them. Glorious.

Emery is a good manager.  He came to us at a bad time, and he was not what we needed.  But he's got Aston Villa on a roll.  Villa has Emi Martinez (who did not play yesterday and was not needed) and Calum Chambers, two ex-Gunners I always liked.  Plus, my wife loves the claret and blue kits worn by the Villans, West Ham, and Burnley (who will be in the Premiership next season).  So when they aren't playing us, I root for Villa.  Needless to say, I'd root for the flesh-eating aliens of Glormak 7 if they were playing Tottenham.  Conte's interview after his team's loss was pathetic.  Despite all the money spent on players he wanted, he was saying they needed more, that he was "building a foundation."  He had the foundation.  Spurs have been very good since before he came.  But he seems to have "lost the dressing room" as thy say.  They don't believe in his management and he is not getting the best from them.  Roman Abramovich would be looking for his replacement now, but of course he's sailing around on a gargantuan yacht somewhere trying to avoid the law.

Spurs had their nearly moment four years ago when they narrowly lost the Champions' League final to Liverpool.  Otherwise, they haven't been close to silverware for quite some time.  That said, there has been no St Totteringham's Day since 2016, an outrage that I expect to end soon.

ARS 3 - 1 WHU and BHA 2 - 4 ARS

 It's been a productive couple of matches for the Gunners, picking up six points while some of our close competitors dropped two points.  (Spuds dropped five!)  West Ham offered very little resistance, getting a pen from a breakaway but otherwise getting pulled around until we popped three past our former GK Fabianski in the second half.  Brighton was more dangerous, fighting all the way to the end, scoring twice and having a goal disallowed for a ridiculous offside.  Unfortunately for them, they did not defend as well as they attacked and Arteta's men scored four very nice goals.  Nketieh got the eventual winner, poaching as he does so well.  Our wingers were fabulous, each scoring, and MOTM Odegaard got one too.  Tomiyasu and Tierney both got minutes and seem fine.  I am very happy.

Fulham 3 CP 0

 Two red cards.  A lamentable performance.  A day to forget, if one is able to forget.    

What a Game! *Argentina 3 - 3 France (4-2)

 I like both these nations, so found it hard to root against anyone.  La Albiceleste was the better team on the night and deserved the win.  Emi Martinez is quite the shithouser.