Real Madrid 2 - 2 Arsenal (RM wins on PKs) -- ICC

Weird game.  The second yellow on Sokratis was bullshit; he got the ball and it wasn't even a foul.  But Real was playing us more than even at that point a man down.  The rest of the way they were on top.  I can't understand why Emery kept his starters out there so long.  I liked the kids again.  Asencio looked to have suffered a really bad injury, unfortunately, when his knee appeared to buckle with minor upper body contact.

Jenko did OK, Chambers looked pretty good.  Sead had a poor game.  We've still got big problems at the back.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Bayern Munich (ICC)

I love these silly preseason games.  I get to see a bunch of kids looking like future stars, in a crazy, wide open game that doesn't mean anything.  There were a lot of chances in this one; the score could have been a lot higher.  The Gunners had more clear chances, I'd say.  Young players who shone were Willock, Nketiah, Nelson, John-Jules...really, everyone.  Players who didn't look so fantastic (for various reasons) were Mustafi, Kolasinac, and Mkhitaryan.  Auba was very sharp.  Bayern subbed their entire team at the half; Arsenal replaced most of their starters by the 70th minute.  Gnabry was dangerous for Bayern; I wish Arsene had kept him.

Our defensive problems were evident again.  AMN was fine at right back in the first half but Kingsley Coman turned him inside out in the second.  Left back was an issue when Monreal and Kolasinac were playing there.  Mustafi is a disaster waiting to happen.  Sokratis was solid.  Gotta say, the young midfielders were lively.  Ozil did his usual gliding around making good passes and not playing defense.  (He's blond now.)

Fiorentina is next up, then Real Madrid at FedEx.  I don't think I'll go.

I don't know what the deal is with Koscielny, but I'll always love the guy.  We should give him the transfer he obviously wants.

The youngsters beat Stan Kroenke's Colorado Rapids 3-0 a couple days ago in a tune-up.  Some really nice goals.

Every Promoted Youngster Is Like a New Signing

That's how I'm going to spin it, anyway.  I'm excited by the youth movement and am willing to see what we can do with our mix of veterans, young guys, and a few bargain purchases Edu can locate.  Honestly, if we make Europa League again, I don't think I will complain.  Anything we can manage to accomplish will be in spite of the owner, who seems indifferent to Arsenal's results.

It's sad how the Koscielny situation is playing out.  Let's hope Holding can come back in a couple months.  He and Chambers could be an awesome pairing in central defense.  Sokratis and Mavrapanos can also play there; Mustafi may be on the way out.