One-nil to the Arsenal has never felt better. After a first half that featured little drama and 79% possession from the home side, Ben Foster after the break had to make one save after another, some brave, some just very good. Arsenal crafted enough chances to give the home crowd hope, but West Brom's defenses were just up to the task. Then, in the 86th minute, Giroud got to a well-placed cross central and close to the edge of the 6 yard box just ahead of his marker, who was grabbing him to hold him back. Giroud showed great strength and composure to loop the header over Foster (who had to cover the entire goal) and into the upper right corner. It should have been 2-0 in stoppage time but it stayed 1-0.
Giroud started up top, and I like that decision. I know he's made an impact off the bench, but I think we get maximum value out of him when he bumps against the opponents' central defenders for 90 minutes. He wins headers, he runs back to break up the opponents' attacks, he passes well. By the end of the game, he can wear out two big defenders, and still has enough gas to put in a game-winner. I thought he was excellent today, though he could have opened the scoring some minutes earlier had he committed to attacking a cross that didn't look as though it would get through but did.
Alexis was moved wide left, and he was fantastic there. He did his usual things: dynamic dribbling, rasping shots that had to be tipped over the bar or that hit the post, clever interchanges, lots of defensive help, and the occasional misplaced pass. Iwobi was wide right, leaving Walcott off the field, which I think is great. Ozil was in the hole, and showed a greater work rate, but still didn't shine. (He did get the assist.) Coquelin had a super game alongside Xhaka, who also looked good. Bellerin was a little off today but it didn't matter in the end. Gabriel did his job and I hope is gaining confidence; Kos was once again a rock. Gibbs started and i thought he was quite good. But he ran into a defender in the second half and had to be replaced. Cech was seldom tested but passed those tests. Monreal did fine as a sub, and Perez and Ramsey were just OK as offensive subs. Aaron was set up beautifully by Alexis late on but his shot was too close to Foster in the center of the goal; Perez was one of the guys who could, I thought, have simply passed the ball into the net late into injury time but unaccountably did not.
Three points were an absolute requirement today, with Chelsea and United winning easily. WBA played pretty well but their total commitment to defense meant their scoring threat consisted mostly of trying to win corners. I didn't notice anything today that would indicate that this is an Arsenal squad that will be within reach of the leaders in April, but you never know. Chelsea could collapse.
I'd like to discuss the contract situations of Ozil, Sanchez, and Wenger, but I'll come back to that in a day or two. They are very much connected, to my mind.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Manchester City 2 - 1 Arsenal
For the second game in a row, Arsenal has been outhustled and outplayed by a team that was simply better. This time was a more thorough butt-whipping than the last, and accomplished the same way: the opponent gave us no space. Our goal was very well taken but a total aberration--after that waltz through a wide-open City defense, they tightened up and gave us nothing the rest of the way. At the other end, we were under pressure constantly. When City's attack broke down, we gave it right back, as City replicated Barcelona's style and we seemed unable to make a pass.
I'm not going to recap the game. It's too painful. We stank. Walcott scored the goal but was largely anonymous the rest of the way. Ozil seemed uninterested; I hardly could tell he was out there. I don't fault our defensive six except for their inability to clear properly or find the offensive players--not that they did anything good for the last 88 minutes of the game. Alexis worked his socks off as usual, but had to be daydreaming towards the end about where he wants to be playing next year. Iwobi couldn't make a pass when it counted.
I was very confident before the Everton game, but didn't think we were going to pull this one off. No Aguero, no problem for City, who actually buy strikers when they need one and have plenty. Do you remember when with much fanfare we re-signed our "British core" of Gibbs, Ox, Theo, Jack, Aaron, and Jenko? The two fullbacks are little-used subs, the wingers often start but are seldom effective, and the central mids can't get on the team here or in Bournemouth. Ramsey looked like one of Europe's best attacking midfielders for a few months in his career. Shawcross aside, injuries are part of the game and all six of those players have had more than their share. Our core was and is soft. Our best players, in my opinion, are Kos and Alexis this season. They and Ozil have been healthy. We can bully inferior teams but as in prior years we flop against our closest rivals far too many times.
I'm going to try to forget this abortion of a week. We're dropping like a stone in the table, and deserve to. Our best chance of making next year's Champions' League may be to win it this year. Yeah, I know what the chances of that are, if this is how we play.
I'm not going to recap the game. It's too painful. We stank. Walcott scored the goal but was largely anonymous the rest of the way. Ozil seemed uninterested; I hardly could tell he was out there. I don't fault our defensive six except for their inability to clear properly or find the offensive players--not that they did anything good for the last 88 minutes of the game. Alexis worked his socks off as usual, but had to be daydreaming towards the end about where he wants to be playing next year. Iwobi couldn't make a pass when it counted.
I was very confident before the Everton game, but didn't think we were going to pull this one off. No Aguero, no problem for City, who actually buy strikers when they need one and have plenty. Do you remember when with much fanfare we re-signed our "British core" of Gibbs, Ox, Theo, Jack, Aaron, and Jenko? The two fullbacks are little-used subs, the wingers often start but are seldom effective, and the central mids can't get on the team here or in Bournemouth. Ramsey looked like one of Europe's best attacking midfielders for a few months in his career. Shawcross aside, injuries are part of the game and all six of those players have had more than their share. Our core was and is soft. Our best players, in my opinion, are Kos and Alexis this season. They and Ozil have been healthy. We can bully inferior teams but as in prior years we flop against our closest rivals far too many times.
I'm going to try to forget this abortion of a week. We're dropping like a stone in the table, and deserve to. Our best chance of making next year's Champions' League may be to win it this year. Yeah, I know what the chances of that are, if this is how we play.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Everton 2 - 1 Arsenal; Szczesny Sighting; ECL Draw
We just got beat today by a team playing as hard and well as they can. Our goal was on a deflected free kick and we didn't work their keeper all that much; Cech was the busier of the two. Evertone earned the three points.
But with our talent, we really should have imposed ourselves on a team with a smaller squad that had a day less to prepare. I hate to keep picking on them, but once again, I thought our wingers were not pulling their weight. I don't know what Theo was trying to do, but obviously it wasn't working. This was a game he should have shone in. Instead, he and Ox failed to do their defensive jobs on the Toffees' first goal. Walcott may not have figured on Leighton Baines putting in a perfect ball with his right foot, but he shouldn't have been so free to line it up and send it in. Then, Coleman was untracked by AOC and became the extra man who got onto the cross, and did well with it. Maybe one of our center backs should have gotten under the ball better, but that does not excuse Ox for falling asleep. On the left, Ox made some decent dribbles, but seldom did anything with them. His whole time with us, he's held onto the ball a step or two too long and chances are lost.
The less said about Ozil's finishing, the better. Oog. He works hard, but he frequently looks annoyed or disgusted out there. He's desperate to play for a team that is going to win trophies, and it's sinking in that Arsenal is probably not that team. He and Alexis will be thinking about their next employers soon unless Wenger figures out how to get the most out of this team. That did not happen today. If we play like this in Manchester, we'll be back in fourth in no time. Heck, we may be there tomorrow.
...
Roma won yesterday over Milan 1-0 in a game that showcased the worst and the best of Szczesny. First, he came flying out to try to take the ball off the feet of an attacker and missed badly, conceding a PK; then, he saved it impressively. He made several other first class saves in the game too. He still exudes calm and confidence out there, which I love. He didn't remonstrate with the referee; he just got between the sticks and concentrated on keeping the ball out of the net. I hope he comes back one day, but realize that's a long shot.
...
Bayern Munich again, February 15. This time, we're the group winners so we play the second leg at the Emirates. Wenger has to want this trophy more than any other, seeing as he's never taken it. To be honest, I'd like us to win it just as much as I want us to win the league.
But with our talent, we really should have imposed ourselves on a team with a smaller squad that had a day less to prepare. I hate to keep picking on them, but once again, I thought our wingers were not pulling their weight. I don't know what Theo was trying to do, but obviously it wasn't working. This was a game he should have shone in. Instead, he and Ox failed to do their defensive jobs on the Toffees' first goal. Walcott may not have figured on Leighton Baines putting in a perfect ball with his right foot, but he shouldn't have been so free to line it up and send it in. Then, Coleman was untracked by AOC and became the extra man who got onto the cross, and did well with it. Maybe one of our center backs should have gotten under the ball better, but that does not excuse Ox for falling asleep. On the left, Ox made some decent dribbles, but seldom did anything with them. His whole time with us, he's held onto the ball a step or two too long and chances are lost.
The less said about Ozil's finishing, the better. Oog. He works hard, but he frequently looks annoyed or disgusted out there. He's desperate to play for a team that is going to win trophies, and it's sinking in that Arsenal is probably not that team. He and Alexis will be thinking about their next employers soon unless Wenger figures out how to get the most out of this team. That did not happen today. If we play like this in Manchester, we'll be back in fourth in no time. Heck, we may be there tomorrow.
...
Roma won yesterday over Milan 1-0 in a game that showcased the worst and the best of Szczesny. First, he came flying out to try to take the ball off the feet of an attacker and missed badly, conceding a PK; then, he saved it impressively. He made several other first class saves in the game too. He still exudes calm and confidence out there, which I love. He didn't remonstrate with the referee; he just got between the sticks and concentrated on keeping the ball out of the net. I hope he comes back one day, but realize that's a long shot.
...
Bayern Munich again, February 15. This time, we're the group winners so we play the second leg at the Emirates. Wenger has to want this trophy more than any other, seeing as he's never taken it. To be honest, I'd like us to win it just as much as I want us to win the league.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Arsenal 3 - 1 Stoke
(Highlights below from Arsenalist.)
The Orcs gave a good account of themselves today. Mark Hughes has them playing good football, and they have the talent and muscle to give any team a hard time. When they saw an opening, they went for it, and only poor finishing kept them from getting a goal in the run of play. But Joe Allen earned a penalty by inducing Xhaka to block him off the ball in the area, with Granit's elbow at a convenient height for Allen to ram his face into. The PK was awarded for the block, not the elbow, or there'd have been a card. By the third replay, I had to admit that Lee Mason got it right, although my first impression was very different. Charley Adam, who looks like Shaqiri's long-lost older brother, converted the penalty, and Stoke found themselves in a very unfamiliar position at the Emirates: a goal up.
Mustafi went down with a hamstring injury (let's hope it isn't severe) and that forced Wenger to put in Hector Bellerin for Gabriel at right back, the latter sliding over to partner Koscielny. While he showed a bit of rust, Hector was fantastic the rest of the way. (This is no knock on Gabriel, who did very well.) He was found all alone not-so-wide right and put an excellent cross in to Theo who finished beautifully from close range to stab it between the post and the keeper. Wonderful finish, and the game was tied.
We picked up where we left off after the half, as our superior technical ability wore down the game Potters. As Pieters was making his way back onto the field after recovering from a collision, Ox saw Ozil making a run and lobbed a perfect pass to him all alone in the area. The keeper didn't have any good options, but chose to come halfway out. Ozil noticed this and instead of bringing the ball down and attacking, he headed the ball over the keeper and into the net. Lovely. On 74 minutes, another attack could have resulted in a dangerous free kick near the corner of the box (Alexis was brought down) but Mason allowed play on and Iwobi pounced on the loose ball, took a touch or two, and placed it hard and low into the far corner. Arsenal had the better of the play nearly all half and never looked too uncomfortable. It was an impressive win against a team that was in good form.
It looks even better after Man City's 4-2 collapse in Leicester. (Sagna was in central defense and did not look convincing.) We're at the top of the table on goal difference, pending tomorrow's Chelsea game.
Everyone played well. Xhaka is exasperating with his silly fouls, but he was a beast all game. Kos was magnificent in the middle, and the other defenders did their jobs well. Ox had that assist and looked dangerous at times, but I do wish he'd help Monreal more consistently on defense. Coquelin was his typical efficient self. Ozil ran the game well, and that goal was delicious. Walcott did help on defense and he got the crucial goal to bring us back on level terms before the half. He might have gotten more on another day--he was strong. Alexis gave Stoke's back line fits until he was relieved by Giroud. Iwobi came on for Ox and was very good. It was a solid team performance. Cech made a nice save from a header by the ageless Peter Crouch when it was 2-1. He deserved the clean sheet, but for the PK.
We go to Goodison Tuesday to take on Everton, who looked pretty bad today in a 3-2 loss at the Vicarage to Watford, then to the Etihad Sunday for what Pep has to be thinking is a must-win game. I don't know if Fernandinho will be back from suspension, but I believe Aguero will still be serving a ban for his horrible challenge on Sideshow Bob last week. I like our chances. We're playing so well now that confidence has to be running through the squad. Mustafi is a big miss, but he'll be back and meanwhile Gabriel and Holding can do the job. Here's hoping Mertesacker can round into shape and give us a few games this season as well.
The Orcs gave a good account of themselves today. Mark Hughes has them playing good football, and they have the talent and muscle to give any team a hard time. When they saw an opening, they went for it, and only poor finishing kept them from getting a goal in the run of play. But Joe Allen earned a penalty by inducing Xhaka to block him off the ball in the area, with Granit's elbow at a convenient height for Allen to ram his face into. The PK was awarded for the block, not the elbow, or there'd have been a card. By the third replay, I had to admit that Lee Mason got it right, although my first impression was very different. Charley Adam, who looks like Shaqiri's long-lost older brother, converted the penalty, and Stoke found themselves in a very unfamiliar position at the Emirates: a goal up.
Mustafi went down with a hamstring injury (let's hope it isn't severe) and that forced Wenger to put in Hector Bellerin for Gabriel at right back, the latter sliding over to partner Koscielny. While he showed a bit of rust, Hector was fantastic the rest of the way. (This is no knock on Gabriel, who did very well.) He was found all alone not-so-wide right and put an excellent cross in to Theo who finished beautifully from close range to stab it between the post and the keeper. Wonderful finish, and the game was tied.
We picked up where we left off after the half, as our superior technical ability wore down the game Potters. As Pieters was making his way back onto the field after recovering from a collision, Ox saw Ozil making a run and lobbed a perfect pass to him all alone in the area. The keeper didn't have any good options, but chose to come halfway out. Ozil noticed this and instead of bringing the ball down and attacking, he headed the ball over the keeper and into the net. Lovely. On 74 minutes, another attack could have resulted in a dangerous free kick near the corner of the box (Alexis was brought down) but Mason allowed play on and Iwobi pounced on the loose ball, took a touch or two, and placed it hard and low into the far corner. Arsenal had the better of the play nearly all half and never looked too uncomfortable. It was an impressive win against a team that was in good form.
It looks even better after Man City's 4-2 collapse in Leicester. (Sagna was in central defense and did not look convincing.) We're at the top of the table on goal difference, pending tomorrow's Chelsea game.
Everyone played well. Xhaka is exasperating with his silly fouls, but he was a beast all game. Kos was magnificent in the middle, and the other defenders did their jobs well. Ox had that assist and looked dangerous at times, but I do wish he'd help Monreal more consistently on defense. Coquelin was his typical efficient self. Ozil ran the game well, and that goal was delicious. Walcott did help on defense and he got the crucial goal to bring us back on level terms before the half. He might have gotten more on another day--he was strong. Alexis gave Stoke's back line fits until he was relieved by Giroud. Iwobi came on for Ox and was very good. It was a solid team performance. Cech made a nice save from a header by the ageless Peter Crouch when it was 2-1. He deserved the clean sheet, but for the PK.
We go to Goodison Tuesday to take on Everton, who looked pretty bad today in a 3-2 loss at the Vicarage to Watford, then to the Etihad Sunday for what Pep has to be thinking is a must-win game. I don't know if Fernandinho will be back from suspension, but I believe Aguero will still be serving a ban for his horrible challenge on Sideshow Bob last week. I like our chances. We're playing so well now that confidence has to be running through the squad. Mustafi is a big miss, but he'll be back and meanwhile Gabriel and Holding can do the job. Here's hoping Mertesacker can round into shape and give us a few games this season as well.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Basel 1 - 4 Arsenal: Basel Faulty, Gunners Win Group
It would have been easy to give up on winning Group A; I did. Our starting lineup featured Ozil and Sanchez for firepower and Koscielny for defensive stability, but we also had Holding, Perez, and Gabriel (as right back again) on the pitch. Ramsey and Xhaka anchored the midfield, showing a commitment towards getting forward. Iwobi was in front of Gibbs on the left, which can be problematic. Ospina in goal, as usual for ECL.
And it worked. It wasn't flawless, and there were moments of danger from Basel. But two lovely flowing moves featuring great passes to Gibbs resulted in two first half assists for Gibbs and two goals for Lucas Perez, the man in the right place at the right time. Two early second half goals sealed the deal, the first for a Lucas hat trick and the second for Iwobi's first ECL goal. After that, we always looked the more likely to score. Alexis rattled the crossbar on a fine free kick, and there were other chances. But it was Basel's Doumbia who intercepted Holding trying to play out from the back and made a run, give and go, and finish worthy of Alexis to complete the scoring on the night.
Meanwhile Ludogorets never trailed and nearly won in Paris before a late di Maria goal earned PSG a point. I have no idea what happened to PSG; in the highlights, it seemed the defense was taking the night off. Whether it's an advantage or not to win the group will be revealed Monday when the knockout round draw occurs.
My impression of the performances:
Ospina did pretty well. He made a good save or two and grabbed the crosses he should have. He got fortunate a few times when the opponents could not put good chances on frame.
Gibbs was terrorizing Basel on the attack, but not, I thought, on defense. All in all, a decent performance.
Koscielny was solid. Fouled when it made sense, was strong in the air.
Holding looked really good. His giving the ball away for their goal was an aberration. This guy was a steal.
Gabriel did well out of position, but didn't look terribly comfortable. I wonder if Wenger sees him as his first choice at RB until Bellerin gets fit. I'm not convinced he's better than Jenko.
Ramsey was his typical energetic self, and I thought he had a very good game.
Xhaka did his usual thing too, breaking play up and occasionally unleashing perfect 60 yard passes to switch play.
Ozil seemed very motivated. He kept things clicking on offense.
Iwobi looked lost out there. Yes, he got a goal, and it was great to see the celebration. But his passing was not sharp, his decisions were not good, and his dribbles went nowhere. Ox would have had a field day.
Lucas's three goals make this a banner day for him, and he did work hard. But he seldom participated in the buildup the way he will be expected to once he is integrated into the team. I do love his strength and finishing ability, and expect him to be an important part of the team, but he is not there yet.
Alexis had another superb outing. He was everywhere, and made key passes as well as stealing the ball at key moments.
Giroud barely had a chance to register with viewers. By the time he came on, the action was mostly in our end of the pitch as Basel desperately tried to claw their way back into it. Walcott passed up the chance to put Gibbs in on goal and had his shot blocked; that was his contribution. Elneny got some polite applause from his former club's fans and performed well when he went on for Ozil.
The game was physical and I feared injuries, but I didn't see any for our guys. This should be a confidence booster after our last midweek game, the loss to Southampton. When a team is playing this well, they want to go from success to success, and anything less than a win should hurt. They have a good attitude now. There is competition at most positions. I get the sense that Ramsey could become more influential if he can force his way into the regular starting lineup, but something awful like a long term injury to Ozil may be the only way that happens. I do feel sorry for Giroud, who is made of iron and can play every game, but is relegated to the bench.
We host the pottery-spinning Orcs on Saturday, then go to Goodison Tuesday to play the flailing Toffees, and have a showdown at the Etihad the following Sunday. This is the time of year that breaks some smaller clubs who can't afford to carry large rosters. We should do well.
And it worked. It wasn't flawless, and there were moments of danger from Basel. But two lovely flowing moves featuring great passes to Gibbs resulted in two first half assists for Gibbs and two goals for Lucas Perez, the man in the right place at the right time. Two early second half goals sealed the deal, the first for a Lucas hat trick and the second for Iwobi's first ECL goal. After that, we always looked the more likely to score. Alexis rattled the crossbar on a fine free kick, and there were other chances. But it was Basel's Doumbia who intercepted Holding trying to play out from the back and made a run, give and go, and finish worthy of Alexis to complete the scoring on the night.
Meanwhile Ludogorets never trailed and nearly won in Paris before a late di Maria goal earned PSG a point. I have no idea what happened to PSG; in the highlights, it seemed the defense was taking the night off. Whether it's an advantage or not to win the group will be revealed Monday when the knockout round draw occurs.
My impression of the performances:
Ospina did pretty well. He made a good save or two and grabbed the crosses he should have. He got fortunate a few times when the opponents could not put good chances on frame.
Gibbs was terrorizing Basel on the attack, but not, I thought, on defense. All in all, a decent performance.
Koscielny was solid. Fouled when it made sense, was strong in the air.
Holding looked really good. His giving the ball away for their goal was an aberration. This guy was a steal.
Gabriel did well out of position, but didn't look terribly comfortable. I wonder if Wenger sees him as his first choice at RB until Bellerin gets fit. I'm not convinced he's better than Jenko.
Ramsey was his typical energetic self, and I thought he had a very good game.
Xhaka did his usual thing too, breaking play up and occasionally unleashing perfect 60 yard passes to switch play.
Ozil seemed very motivated. He kept things clicking on offense.
Iwobi looked lost out there. Yes, he got a goal, and it was great to see the celebration. But his passing was not sharp, his decisions were not good, and his dribbles went nowhere. Ox would have had a field day.
Lucas's three goals make this a banner day for him, and he did work hard. But he seldom participated in the buildup the way he will be expected to once he is integrated into the team. I do love his strength and finishing ability, and expect him to be an important part of the team, but he is not there yet.
Alexis had another superb outing. He was everywhere, and made key passes as well as stealing the ball at key moments.
Giroud barely had a chance to register with viewers. By the time he came on, the action was mostly in our end of the pitch as Basel desperately tried to claw their way back into it. Walcott passed up the chance to put Gibbs in on goal and had his shot blocked; that was his contribution. Elneny got some polite applause from his former club's fans and performed well when he went on for Ozil.
The game was physical and I feared injuries, but I didn't see any for our guys. This should be a confidence booster after our last midweek game, the loss to Southampton. When a team is playing this well, they want to go from success to success, and anything less than a win should hurt. They have a good attitude now. There is competition at most positions. I get the sense that Ramsey could become more influential if he can force his way into the regular starting lineup, but something awful like a long term injury to Ozil may be the only way that happens. I do feel sorry for Giroud, who is made of iron and can play every game, but is relegated to the bench.
We host the pottery-spinning Orcs on Saturday, then go to Goodison Tuesday to play the flailing Toffees, and have a showdown at the Etihad the following Sunday. This is the time of year that breaks some smaller clubs who can't afford to carry large rosters. We should do well.
Monday, December 5, 2016
Calum Chambers Progressing Nicely
It was not so very long ago that Arsenal thought that Philippe Senderos was a starting center back. Now we have so many good ones we're loaning them out. I watched the second half of the Middlesbrough-Hull game today to see how Calum was doing, and I think he's doing quite well. There was a scare when he landed on his head after an aerial challenge (no malice involved) but he took a minute to shake it off and was back on. His passing was sharp and his defense more than up to whatever Hull had to throw at him and his mate Gibson (who was superb). He was dominant in the air and I didn't see him get burned for speed.
I like Rob Holding a lot. If Mustafi or Koscielny go down injured, he and Gabriel can both do a creditable job until we get our starter back. I fear Per may never play for us again. By the time he heals, Wenger will be very reluctant to break up his central defense to give him a run out. But even without him, we have two excellent starters and two good replacements on hand, as well as Chambers out on loan. Monreal may never have to slide over into the middle again.
I like Rob Holding a lot. If Mustafi or Koscielny go down injured, he and Gabriel can both do a creditable job until we get our starter back. I fear Per may never play for us again. By the time he heals, Wenger will be very reluctant to break up his central defense to give him a run out. But even without him, we have two excellent starters and two good replacements on hand, as well as Chambers out on loan. Monreal may never have to slide over into the middle again.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
West Ham 1 - 5 Arsenal
[I didn't see any of the League Cup loss to Southampton and am going to pretend it never happened.]
I was doing administrative work for a local youth soccer tournament today and was able to see just the last 12 minutes of this game. Alexis fired in our third goal seconds after I turned on the TV, so I saw 2/3 of the scoring. Payet (obviously intentionally) passed to Andy Carroll off the bar on a free kick to make it 3-1, and then Ox and Alexis iced the game with gorgeous goals (albeit Alexis was offside when the pass releasing him was made). The earlier goals were quite nice as well, and from all accounts Arsenal might have had ten goals on the night had chances not gone begging and the West ham keeper been less sharp. We got some bumps and bruises, but I don't think there were any injuries. Yes, it was woeful West Ham, but we clicked today.
Chelsea dismantled City earlier, so pending Liverpool's game, we're in second place. I told my Man U supporting neighbor at the beginning of the season that Conte was going to do well in the EPL, much better than Mourinho. Kante is, I think, their only summer signing that's been impactful, so this is much the same crew that Mou got so little from before he was canned. We have to stay close to Chelsea; they are not going to drop a lot of points.
I was doing administrative work for a local youth soccer tournament today and was able to see just the last 12 minutes of this game. Alexis fired in our third goal seconds after I turned on the TV, so I saw 2/3 of the scoring. Payet (obviously intentionally) passed to Andy Carroll off the bar on a free kick to make it 3-1, and then Ox and Alexis iced the game with gorgeous goals (albeit Alexis was offside when the pass releasing him was made). The earlier goals were quite nice as well, and from all accounts Arsenal might have had ten goals on the night had chances not gone begging and the West ham keeper been less sharp. We got some bumps and bruises, but I don't think there were any injuries. Yes, it was woeful West Ham, but we clicked today.
Chelsea dismantled City earlier, so pending Liverpool's game, we're in second place. I told my Man U supporting neighbor at the beginning of the season that Conte was going to do well in the EPL, much better than Mourinho. Kante is, I think, their only summer signing that's been impactful, so this is much the same crew that Mou got so little from before he was canned. We have to stay close to Chelsea; they are not going to drop a lot of points.
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