ARS 3-0 FUL: Finally, a Complete Performance

 As in the Newcastle game, we got an early goal.  But whereas we could not put the Magpies to the sword, we put two more past the Cottagers in the first half to make the game safe (and add to the goal difference).  We had additional chances too, but offsides and lucky blocks kept us from scoring more.  Hey, I'd have taken 3-0 before the game started.  Calafiori started and was very good.  MLS started in midfield and was fine.  Eze was great in the first half but faded in the second.  Saka started and was magnificent, assisting on the first goal and scoring the second.  Gyokeres scored twice and assisted Saka on his goal, bringing his goal scoring tally in all competitions to 21.  Madueke came in for Saka for the second half and was lively.  Zubimendi was on the bench until minute 64.  Trossard played the whole game, which suggests he won't be starting Tuesday.  We got some Max Dowman in the second half and he supplied some danger from midfield, coming in for Eze.

Arteta's team selection was spot on, and his tactics very effective.  Calafiori was obviously told to get forward and had the ball in the net (chalked off for offside) once.  Saka was the key, breaking the game open with his brilliant cross to assist Gyok (see photo for goal) and fantastic finish when Gyok found him beautifully.  Trossard had the assist on Gyok's second (Arsenal's third), an excellent header.

The squad should be confident and sharp for our game with Atletico.  It better be, because they're very tough in cup competitions.

OL 3-1 ARS Women (4-3 aggregate): Lyon Just Too Good

 The Gunners gave a good account of themselves, but both individually and as a team, we were outplayed today to lose our semifinal with a very impressive Lyon.  We dodged a bullet when Lyon's first goal, off a corner (they looked like scoring on every one), was chalked off for an offside (wrongly in my opinion).  We looked to have dodged another bullet when von Domsselar saved a Renard penalty, but she'd come off her line before the save.  It was retaken and the tie was all square.  Then, off a corner, a back post shot beat our keeper (she should have done better) and we were behind in the tie.  In the second half, Arsenal looked more dangerous.  We hit the woodwork twice, and the ball beat their keeper (an OG I think) off a dangerous cross, and we were all square again.  But one last superb play from Lyon won it for them, as their scorer was (after a ridiculously long delay) been adjudged to have been onside, despite the on-field offside call.  It was very close.

I think the better team went to the final, but I'm obviously disappointed.  VAR got most of the calls right in the end, but it took forever.  The Gunners should feel good about their effort, I think.

ATL 1-1 ARS: No Open Play Goals in Tense First Leg

 Three penalties were called on the field, all of them soft in my opinion, and two were awarded, both converted.  There were chances at both ends, though.  Atleti had the better ones on balance, and I thought we were fortunate to escape with a draw.  Eze and Saka were fit enough to come in as second half subs, which is good news.  Saka is still off the pace, but Eze looks to be close to fully fit.  For me, Rice was our MOTM, but Raya was also excellent.  I expect us to play with more intent in London.

ARS 1-0 NEW: Too Close for Comfort

 We're in first place again, since City was engaged with a stubborn Southampton, City winning late to put themselves into the FA Cup final.  But it was not a smooth ride.  Eze blasted one past Pope in the seventh minute off a corner routine, but that was it for the scoring despite a few half chances for each team.  I wanted a bigger win, of course, but the major worry is the injuries to Havertz and Eze.  Gyokeres actually did well in his hour+ up front after Havertz's exit.  Saka played the last ten minutes plus the seven minutes of stoppage time, and looked lively.  Newcastle has lost their last six by one goal; they are a tougher opponent than their recent form suggests.  But we really should have been more dominant.

MCI 2-1 ARS: The Nearly Men Fall Short Again

 This was an excellent game.  The highlights will probably run fifteen minutes.  Both sides had shots carom off the inside of the post but fail to go in.  City's first goal from Cherki was lovely; Havertz's equalizer came from an ugly Donnaruma mistake.  There were plenty of chances for both teams but Haaland swept in a loose ball at 65 minutes for the final score, though there was lots of drama afterwards.

So, City now has an edge.  If they and we win the rest of oiur games, it'll come down to goal difference, and City's been firing better lately.  They're just one back of us on GD currently, but that'll change in midweek when they play lowly Burnley.  Neither team can afford to drop points.  They have the FA Cup to deal with, and we have Champions' League.  Down to the wire.

English Clubs in Europe

 Arsenal is in the last four of the Champions' League, Villa and Forrest are in the semis of Europa League, and Palace is three games away from a European trophy.  All got there fairly comfortably, beating quality opposition.

ARS 0-0 SPO (1-0 agg): Staggering Into the Semis

 All right, it's an achievement to be one of the last four teams standing in the CL, and this is the second year we've done it.  But the performances against a very good Sporting were underwhelming.  Clean sheets are great, but we had one shot on target, the same as Sporting.  xG was below 1.  (Both teams did hid the post once.)  There was no cutting edge.

The camera focused on Rice after the final whistle, and he looked unhappy.  Yeah, they're through to the semis, but this was not a morale-boosting display before the season's most important game this weekend at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, in Munich, it was a 4-3 goalfest packed with errors, fine goals, and even a dumb red card.  The 6-4 aggregate for Bayern was ten times the total number of goals scored in our dreary contest with Sporting.  We're just no fun.