Bournemouth 1 - 2 Arsenal

I was hoping for an easy win today.  I expected it to be more comfortable.  But we got three points, with some assistance from a linesman and a stunning own-goal.  The Gunners did their usual routine, starting slow, and kept their perfect run of no halftime leads by failing to shut up shop in the last minute of the first half.  From a very dangerous possession in the Cherries' box, Iwobi lost the ball and a few passes later some unmarked guy in red and black finished beautifully past our keeper, who couldn't have kept it out.  We dominated the second half, but could put only one goal into the net off a rapid, flowing move off a free kick at the half line.  Auba stretched to tap in the perfect cross from Kolasinac, who'd been released behind the defense by a lovely through ball from Iwobi.  A last minute dumb foul by Mustafi (I knew it was coming) just outside our area gave Bournemouth a dangerous free kick that Stanislaus sent over the bar.  Phew.

Tactically, this game was interesting for a number of reasons.  We had three at the back, Mustafi on the right, Holding on the left, and Sokratis in the middle.  Maybe this was because Emery did not trust Kolasinac to do the defensive business; I endorse that opinion.  The comment I made most during the game was "Where is Kolasinac?!?"  He got forward well and looked healthy, finally.  On balance I thought he had a pretty good game.  Bellerin was excellent, though he can be criticized for not hustling back before the Cherries goal.  Torreira was great again, and had a shot hit the post.  Xhaka was good enough.  Our front three had an underwhelming game.  For me, Iwobi was brightest, Auba decent, and Mikhi poor.  In the second half, Emery had Holding push up behind Kolasinac, and it worked pretty well.  I didn't like the substitutions, which were all late in the game.  Torreira came out for Guendouzi (I'd have pulled Xhaka or Mikhi) and Ramsey came in for Iwobi (I'd have put him in for Mikhi).  Nketieh came in for Auba in injury time; that was OK but I'd have put in another defender.

Well, three points is very welcome, and it is probably a good thing that we didn't have it all our own way.  These guys have no reason for complacency.  Spurs are not going to be any easier.  I hope he gives youth a chance in Ukraine on Thursday.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool

Great game, wasn't it?  It could easily have been another 4-3 contest.  Considering the balance of chances and the disallowed goal, we were fortunate to get a point, but I would have been delighted with our performance even had we lost.  We went after them from the get-go and dealt with the counters very well.  We ramped up the pressure after going down and got the goal we deserved.

NBC had Laca as man of the match, but for my money Torreira was the key.  I was a bit disappointed with Mikhi, but overall I am not in a mood to complain about anybody.  I was afraid Kolasinac would be torched, but he had cover and I thought he did well.

Liverpool is a really solid team that can blow games open in a hurry.  This was a real test for us, and I think we passed it.  We need to kick on from here, winning against the likes of Crystal Palace and Bournemouth and taking points from other top six clubs from here on out.  My fear is that more defensive injuries could weaken us in the back.  The season thus far has been an endorsement of Emery's vision, strategy, and tactics that fans and players can plainly see.  Imagine how much brighter things would look had we beaten Chelsea, which we could have.

PK Heartbreak for DC United...Blackpool falls short in League Cup

Columbus did what they had to do tonight and pretty much throttled DC's offense until late.  They had more shots and more chances, and they might have felt unlucky not to have won it in regulation.  But a late equalizer in extra time by Nick DeLeon sent this to the spot.  Steffen looked a lot more assured against penalties than Hamid, and he saved two:  Rooney's and Acosta's.  Hamid did make a save, and another Crew player hit the post, but when DeLeon took the fifth for DC, he skied it over the bar, and it's the Crew who go on to try to get something off NYCFC in Columbus in their first leg Sunday.

Between the wind, the occasion, and a referee who was reluctant to blow the whistle, neither team found it easy to run their offenses.  Columbus's defense was tighter, I thought.  Audi Field magic wasn't enough.

...

Jenko got 90 for Arsenal and played his part in a dicey Carabao (League) Cup round-of-16 encounter.  Once again Mikhi had a chance to make his case and didn't.  Pleguezelo and Smith Rowe did very well, the latter scoring when Jenkinson's dangerous cross was palmed out to him.  Lichtsteiner had redirected a Guendouzi pass inside the far post for our first.  After the French teenager was sent off for two soft yellows, the Seasiders got one back off a corner, but a straight red when Auba was scythed down restored parity in numbers and we saw out the game.  Spuds are up next for the quarters at the Emirates.