FLE 1-1 ARS (5-3): Deservedly Bounced From EFL Cup

 I could point to Salmon's being beaten by his attacker for their goal, and Meslier's inability to keep out the shot.  Meslier also looked really bad on the pens.  Bruno had his saved.  Our players missed several chances that should have been taken.  But the main culprit here is Arteta.  Mosquera and Salmon as the centerbacks was dumb, especially when Hincapie was on the field.  Gyokeres wasn't brilliant despite getting a tough goal, but Havertz missed chance after chance.  They did not both need to be out there.  The team Arteta fielded lacked cohesion and composure.  Fleetwood stuck to their task, and after their goal they had something to hang onto.  There can be no questioning their deserving to win this game, mystery drone and unmerited red card for Dowman notwithstanding. 

I never know what to think about this competition.  It would be nice to win it, though we never do.  It's a distraction but it does keep the fringe players involved.  I would certainly have liked to win this game.  Well, we just got beaten by a squad 84 places below us.  Liverpool awaits.

ARS 2-0 EVE: Center Backs Show Why We Don't Need Strikers

 Konsa bundled over from a corner (our first set piece goal of the season) early, and aside from one self-inflicted scare near the half, Everton never looked like scoring.  Trouble is, we didn't either, though we bossed the game.  The substitutes played a role again when they came on, and a pass from Bruno and a fine cross from White set up Gabriel for the easy header.  (He was up because of a free kick.)  Five yellow cards were handed out, including one for Arteta.

City lost to Villa earlier today, and Chelsea flopped against the Spuds.  We'll see how Brighton do tomorrow.  The table looks good.

BAY 2-2 ARS: Great Game!

 Arsenal can play some really nice football when the opponent comes to play too.  While Bayern did go into a low block for periods of the game, especially when they got the lead, they also pressed, held a high line, and did their best to break us down.  They did that in the first half, scoring a non-penalty goal against Arsenal in the ECL for the first time since Almaty did last March.  Our old nemesis Harry Kane assisted on the equalizer (what a pass!) and scored the pen.  Odegaard sprang Eze ten minutes earlier with a similar wonder assist.  Both goals were taken sweetly.  Bayern took the lead after Timber unluckily blocked a goalward shot with his arm while sliding to attempt a block.  The points were split because Rice smacked one past Neuer from a tight angle after receiving the ball off Gyokeres, who if he intended it, made a really nice assist.

The level of play was high all around.  Both keepers were called upon to claw shots off the line and tip them around or over the woodwork.  The Germans had a higher xG, which tracks with my impression watching the game, but a draw was a fair result, I think.  I'm happy with this result, but am not pleased that Saka had to be replaced after sustaining a muscle injury.  It didn't look good.  But it got Eze on the pitch to score the first goal.

ARS 3-0 LIlle and NFO 0-1 ARS: Catching up.

 I've been traveling and was not able to see these games.  But having seen highlights and reports, I have to say I'm wondering where the goals are going to come from.  We aren't "easy to play against" like some earlier versions of Arsenal, but we are eminently possible to defend against.  There's no point criticizing the players or the manager; this is the squad Arteta built and it's immensely talented at everything but putting the ball in the opponent's net.  Maybe it'll click soon and we'll be free-scoring, both in open play and on set pieces.  I can only hope.  

Meanwhile, we're doing quite well except for the Brighton loss.  Bayern tomorrow, and I can watch that one.  I have to say that Paramount's Golazo Show is fabulous if your team isn't playing then.  There were a bunch of goals, most of them lovely, today.  A great watch.  

ARS 2-1 LEE: Deep Depth

 The late great manager of the Orioles, Earl Weaver, got so bored with questions about how deep his squad was that he just said he had "deep depth" and laughed.  Arsenal's depth told in this game for sure.  The scoreless first half was almost sterile, particularly for the Arsenal attack.  We looked better after the break, but Leeds drew first blood on a very nice "hustle" goal.  (Madueke's lack of hustle getting back to mark Justin played a part.)  Mikel readied three subs, but just before he could make them, Calafiori bounced a shot past Trafford to equalize.  Then, not long after Guimaraes came on for MLS, he slotted a fine shot into the left corner after a slick move that culminated in a backheel flick to the open Bruno G in front of goal.  His second game-winning goal in our six League games (Sunderland was the other).  It never looked as though Leeds was going to get back into it.  They played well, but had expended so much energy that our subs overran them.  Subs at Leeds are not usually starting for a reason.  We looked very comfortable after the winner.

On the Havertz vs Gyokeres controversy, look at the goalscorers today:  a left back and a defensive midfielder.  I'd give Gyok more minutes based on his Sweden performances, but I have no expectations that either will be scoring prolifically.  If they get 25-30 between them in the league, that is fantastic.  We usually spread the scoring around.  Someone needs to do what Martinelli and Trossard did with end product.

BHA 3-0 ARS: It Could Have Been Worse

 Honestly, Brighton was just better.  They pressed effectively, they moved the ball around quickly, and their two first half goals were fantastic strikes from distance that kissed the post on the way in.  They defended well when we were attacking, too.  That's our best eleven out there.  The only criticism I'll make is that we usually have more help from midfield in those shot situations; the shooters had too much time and space.  That takes nothing away from the perfect strikes, though.  The beat-down was complete when a Brighton man (Chema) rose uncontested to nod in from a corner--of course the ball clipped the post on the way in.

From the first minute to the last, there was never a spell of possession we had that I thought we were going to score from.  The best chance was very late when Gyok sprang Havertz into a one-on-one with the keeper, and Kai hit it straight at him when he should have scored.  Brighton had chances almost as good that they didn't cash in on, too.  The scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.  We did not look like champions.  I hope we can absorb some lessons from this for the stretch after the international break.

Goodbye, Sam

 My co-author, who reported on Crystal Palace, passed away just twelve days before the Eagles lifted their first European trophy.  I will miss him.