ARS 2-0 BHA (EFL): Academy Kids Scrape Through to Quarters

 We earned another game against Palace (who demolished Liverpool) at the Emirates in mid-December.  Arteta made ten changes to the side that edged Palace on Sunday, and it showed.  We had a 15 year old starter (Dowman) and a few other teenagers too (MLS, Nwaneri, Harriman-Annous) from the academy.  New boys Mosquera and Hincapie slotted in for Saliba and Gabriel, and Norgaard got to play the full game.  Eze was the only holdover starter. 

Brighton failed to take advantage of several big errors in our end of the field in the first half.  Kepa came up big and the Seagulls were not wearing their scoring boots, though, so it was scoreless at the break. Nwaneri scored in the 57th minute after a very nice sequence, and Saka slammed home a rebound from a save in the 76th.  I know this isn't the glamor competition, but I think Arsenal needs to stay alive in this one if only to provide playing opportunities for fringe players.  

ARS 1-0 CRY: Set Piece FC Grinds Out Another Three Points

 Palace made it tough, but a bit of magic from their former player Eze was the difference.  The win was deserved; Palace had no real shots on goal (the statisticians say that Raya's claiming a cross was a saved header from Nketieh), and our xG was above one.  Nevertheless, it was a set piece--a free kick awarded because of a dumb foul from Pino--that decided this match.

Amazing technique to have gotten over this ball and powered it past Henderson.

Losses by City and 'Pool have put the Gunners solidly in first after nine games.  The injury list grew as Saliba, Saka, Rice, and Calafiori were hauled off.  Saka and Rice will be available for the EFL game against Brighton, but the other two will need some time to recover from the knocks they took.  We have some quality backups for both.  We are going to need Madueke, Havertz, and Odegaard back before the festive period at this rate.

I'd like to see starts for Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly tomorrow against Brighton.  Norgaard and White could start too, and Kepa in goal.  Arteta wants to win this game, though, and Brighton is a tough proposition.  Gyokeres desperately needs some recovery time, but who else can play center forward?  Merino in a pinch, as we found out last season, but Arteta may do something tricky with a false 9.

Good for Eze

 We miss him and wish the best at his new club.  Like we miss all who played for our team, the moved on and passed through Nice to see him have an impact on our latest meeting, even if his goal sent us down.  .  

ARS 4-0 ATL: Good Win Against a Good Team Leaves Us Perfect in ECL

 Atleti had their danger moments, but Arsenal blew open a tight game with four second half goals in 13 minutes.  No injuries other than what looked like a tight hamstring for Gabriel.  He will probably sit out the Palace game.  We are so deep in every position now.  Mosquera has shown he can handle it, and Hincapie may be ready.  Calafiori can move over and Lewis-Skelly play left fullback too.  Our most uniquely valuable player is probably Odegaard, and we're winning without him.  He will be back in a month, and so will Madueke and Havertz.  This is a very powerful squad.

Palace has hit a rough patch but remain dangerous.  It's at the Emirates, so I hope we jump on them and make an early breakthrough, and build on that.  We'll have two days more rest as well.  After the Eagles, it's Brighton (EFL) at home, then Burnley, Slavia Prague (ECL), and Sunderland, all away.  An international break follows, and we play the Spuds on November 23 in N5.

DC United still sucks

 Benteke continues to prove his value  - I'm happy he's doing well in the US, but it would  be nice if DC United showed signs of life    

FUL 0-1 ARS: Cottagers Manage Zero Shots on Goal

 It was a frustrating watch.  Without Odegaard, the Gunners struggled to unlock Fulham's defense.  It took an hour and it came from a corner, of course.  It was enough.  So, still in 1st.  Next comes Atletico Madrid in Champions' League on Tuesday.

ARS 2-0 OLY, ARS 2-0 WHU: Dominant Gunners Top of the Table

 Olympiacos and West Ham were never in the game.  Possession and chances were heavily tilted towards Arsenal, who probably should have scored at least one more in both games.  Liverpool was beaten by Palace last week and Chelsea yesterday, so a five point Liverpool lead has turned into their trailing us by a point.  Just seven games in, though; there will be many a twist and turn this season.

We can't keep Odegaard on the field.  He'll be out for a few weeks with an MCL tear.  He's the least replaceable Gunner, with the possible exception of our sole central striker Gyokeres, but we are not short of fit, talented midfielders.  Zubimendi came in and we only got more efficient.