ARS 4-1 NEW: Total Dominance

 I didn't watch the Porto game.  I hope that our last-minute errors don't doom our Champions League quest.

The Premier League dream is still alive after the Gunners' 4-1 thrashing of the Magpies.  I like their manager and there's talent in their team, but they looked pathetic yesterday.  Joe Willock, an Arsenal product who became a hero at St James's Park when we loaned him there and was subsequently bought by them for about $33M, scored their goal late on a great running header.  (Another former Gunner from the academy, Alex Iwobi, scored the winning goal for Fulham yesterday against Man U.)  The first half saw Arsenal throttle Newcastle, and the second half wasn't a whole lot better for the Toon.  Arsenal became the first Premier League team to score multiple goals in seven consecutive halves, for what that's worth.  Jorginho was named man of the match.  He managed the defensive midfield duties (there wasn't a lot to deal with) and provided some penetrating passes.  Really, everyone in red played well.  

We don't control our destiny in the league.  We play City and can pass them by beating them, but Liverpool has only to win their last 12 games (!) to ensure the title.  They just won the League Cup today.

BUR 0-5 ARS: Good Day at the Office for Arteta

 Liverpool had won the early game 4-1 over Brentford, so we had to win to stay in touch with them at two points back, which we did, passing their goal differential in the process.  Spuds lost at home to Wolves in the same time slot, so there's an 8 point gap now, bringing St Totteringham's Day closer.  And in the game of the week, Chelsea managed a draw with Man City at the Etihad, meaning that if City win their game in hand, they're only one point better than us with a worse GD.  There's a long way to go (13 games), but this is shaping up to be a great title race.  All three are in cup competitions, and injuries are thinning their squads.  Arsenal plays City away and City plays Liverpool; those are crucial contests.  In the EPL, upsets are a regular occurrence.  

Well, back to the Arsenal win.  Burnley tried very hard all game, but were outclassed.  A fine strike from Odegaard sent us ahead, and a few minutes before the break Trossard went down in the box (too easily, I think) and we were awarded a PK, which Saka dispatched.  In the second half, Saka blasted into the roof of the net with his right foot (they never expect that from him), Trossard curled a loose ball past the keeper, and finally Havertz nutmegged a defender and netted with only the keeper to beat.  Burnley had just 34% possession and no shots on target.  The effort was there from the Clarets but the skill to stay with the Gunners was not.  The scoreline did not flatter us; Arsenal really was that much better.  We could use Jesus, Tomiyasu, and Zinchenko, but are managing fine without them for now.  (Vieira and Timber are probably unavailable for most of the rest of the season.)  Smith-Rowe subbed in and seems fit, if a bit rusty.  Kiwior slotted in as left back again and was fine.  Up front, Trossard was the false 9.

Notts County lost to Wrexham, Arsenal Women beat Man U, and Juve drew against relegation threatened Verona.  And Wellington Phoenix is top of the A-League!

CRY 1-3 CHE: Not Again!

 It's getting ridiculous.  Without Eze and Olise, the Eagles managed a 1-0 halftime lead courtesy of a fine strike from Lerma.  But Gallagher leveled soon after the restart, and just when it seemed Crystal Palace might get a point, Gallagher struck again.  There was another goal late in injury time to make it look easier for the Blues than it was, though in truth they were the better team on the night.

Injuries are making it a tough slog in Palace's struggle to escape relegation.  With their current form, it is very plausible that they'll drop to the Championship.

If that happens, they may have to sell their prize assets.  They'll be desperate to stay up.

WHU 0-6 ARS: Keeping Pace

 The Hammers had beaten us twice this season despite being outshot by a wide margin, but today they were off color and got beaten easily on set plays to go behind, then were picked apart in open play while chasing the game.  We were very good, but West Ham were poor.  It could have been 7-0 or 8-0 but for some smart saves from Areola and wayward finishing from a couple Gunners.  A good day at the office, and a boost for goal differential.

The other teams in the race won yesterday, with Villa and Man U (5th and 6th place) playing in a few minutes.  It stays tight.  We play at the Etihad later in the season, and City plays Liverpool, so there's some direct combat.  But it looks as though to win the league the top teams will have to win the games they're supposed to win.

ARS 3-1 LIV: We're Not Out of the Race

 To be honest, I was not optimistic about today's game.  Liverpool has been very good lately, us not so much.  And they beat us at the Emirates 2-0 in the FA Cup not long ago.  So it was great to see Arsenal impose its will on Liverpool for long periods in the first half.  There was a touch of fortune about both goals in the 1-1 half, but while the Reds had their nearly moments, the Gunners had the better chances and most of the play.  In the second, Arsenal still looked the better side, but got their goal on a dreadful mixup between van Dyke and Allison, who presented the ball to Martinelli to roll into the net.  To give our speedy Brazilian credit, he was so strong resisting VVD's charging shoulder that the big defender's momentum carried him into contact with the onrushing keeper.  Martinelli was a threat until he was subbed out for Trossard, who justified this move by turning magnificently at the byline near the halfway mark and racing onto the keeper.  Once again, it was VVD to the rescue to deflect Trossard's angled shot (aimed for the back post) through Allison's legs for our third, in injury time.  Oh, and Konate picked up two (borderline) yellows and was sent off somewhere in there.  Happy days.

We're still trailing Liverpool by two points, and if City wins their two games in hand, they'll be three better than us.  But we still play Man City, and City has to play Liverpool yet.  It could get tangled.  Villa is just three points back of us, and Spuds only two back of Villa, then it's a six point gap to United.  An intriguing race to be sure.

It's a potential relegation scrap, though it appears only 18th place is in doubt, Burnley and Sheffield United both appearing to have accepted their fate.  Everton is likely to move out of 18th, with Luton a point ahead at 20 points, Forest at 21, Brentford at 22, and Palace at 24.  None is safe.