TOT 2-3 ARS: A Proper NLD

 We rode our luck, especially with referee decisions, but got the three points we absolutely needed.  We were flattered by the 0-3 halftime score.  An own goal on a corner, a breakaway after a missed penalty call for Spuds, and another goal off a corner gave us what should have been a platform for an easy 45-50 minutes after the break.  but when we were cruising comfortably, Raya presented a gift to them and suddenly they were in it.  As the minutes ticked down I got complacent again, but then Rice kicked one of their men in the area and Son blasted an unstoppable PK into the net and it's a one goal game with 5 minutes plus stoppage time (6 minutes as it turned out) to get through.  There were scares, but the men in white weren't able to push that tying goal into the net.  Massive relief.

I thought Tottenham played really well.  They outshot us and had more of the ball (not unusual when one team gets ahead early).  Some of our guys weren't up to their usual standards.  We got robbed of possession numerous times.  But the defending was excellent.  My view is that Havertz was exceptional for us, Saka very good, but Odegaard and Trossard not as impressive as they have been previously.  Partey was fine but did lose the ball a few times.  Rice had a good game (despite that pen).  Tomiyasu once again is not the slick passer that was required for us to keep moves down the left going.  Raya's error was a real howler.  He did claim pretty much every cross Tottenham floated in.  I'm hoping the Spuds play this well against City--better if possible.  They'll give them a game if they do.

April 28 is St. Totteringham's Day this year.

WOL 0-2 ARS and ARS 5-0 CHE: Two Clean Sheets

 The games are coming faster than my ability to blog about them, apparently.  We dominated Wolves, who had an xG of about .16.  Trossard's opener was unstoppable.  He was set up by Jesus in a remarkable demonstration of strength and determination.  He seems to be coming back into form, even if he's still carrying injuries.  It was nervy for us at 1-0, so it was with relief that I watched Odegaard pounce on a rebounded blocked pass to squeezed one between the keeper and the near post from a tight angle.

Speaking of which, that's what Trossard did for our very early opener against Chelsea.  They were playing without an ill Cole Palmer and seemed befuddled all game.  They tried hard and created a few good chances, but the Blues were overmatched and eventually cut to pieces in the second half, White and Havertz scoring two apiece in an 18 minute stretch.  It pads our considerable goal difference advantage should City drop points along the way.  We're now three points clear of Liverpool (who have a game in hand) and four clear of City (who have two games in hand).  It's a great place to be.

We take a team bus up Seven Sisters Road to Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday for a serious test of our title challenge.  Then it's Bournemouth at home, a trip to Old Trafford, and Everton at the Emirates.  Not the easiest of run-ins, but the men will be up for it.

Arsenal has scored the most goals of any Premier League team, and allowed the fewest goals.  I believe that we've been lucky when it comes to injuries to key players, which helps.  In the back line, the left back position has been hit hard but the rest of the defenders have played almost every game.  Timber tore his ACL in the first game, though, and hasn't played since at the senior level.  Martinelli has been in and out.  Partey was out for most of the season in midfield, and of course Jesus has been hurt much of the season.  But Gabriel Magalhes, Saliba, Odegaard, Saka, White, Havertz, and Rice have been available pretty much throughout the season.  They look tired sometimes, but that's how it is for teams in multiple competitions.

BAY 1-0 ARS (3-2 agg): Out of Gas

 Since the Arsenal game was not carried free, I watched City lose to Real on PKs.  It was a very good game.  The Arseblog commentary, and their post-game posts, indicate that Bayern simply were better.  The Gunners did not threaten often, and our main men look very tired.  We could use some more quality depth, like any team.  We're still not out of the EPL title race, and got to the last eight in Europe's toughest competition.  

ARS 0-2 AVL: A Costly Off-Day

 Villa deserved the three points today.  The Gunners had a good first half but could not cash in on their opportunities.  The Villans owned us in the second half and the goals were coming.  It could have been worse.  I thought Zinchenko was a weak link today.  But it was a case of "not good enough" for Arsenal, who joined Liverpool in the bottling works as City has a clear field to a fourth straight title.  

Can I wonder out loud why Everton has been deducted points twice this season for dodgy financial transactions, but City has been charged with 115 violations of the same rules over a year ago but nothing has happened?  

ARS 2-2 BAY: Naive Again From the Gunners

 Kiwior was not anyone's first choice for left back except Arteta's, and he made a crucial error for Bayern's second.  Raya came too far out of goal to set up Bayern's first.  This is so un-Arsenal.  Credit to Bayern for taking full advantage of our screwups (though they could have had a third). 

Arteta's personnel change at the break was Zinchenko for Kiwior.  It almost backfired immediately as Sane got the better of our diminutive fullback, but we survived.  The tying goal came from some brilliant close work from Jesus at the edge of the box, who slipped it to Trossard for an assured finish.  Both players had been brought on a few minutes previous.  The last sub was Thomas Partey, who did not look good.  There was a penalty shout in the dying seconds when Saka went down after having pushed the ball past Neuer, but no referee is going to call it unless it's more clear-cut.  Saka probably should have taken the shot.

This game reminded me of the first Porto match, in that Arsenal pushed so hard for goals that they left themselves vulnerable.  It's not like them.  Saliba was carrying the ball into the final third; that's something that should be reserved for games when we're either three up or two down.  Arteta has to be furious about the yellow cards not taken which would have prevented Bayern's goals.

Well, now we have to win in Munich.  I'm confident, if we stay focused and don't leave a lot of space behind.

It finished 3-3 in Madrid.  Both ties are finely poised.

BHA 0-3 ARS: Impressive

 Coming before the Bayern game, this fixture rated to be a tough one for us.  Brighton had not lost at home since August.  But the Gunners were on top all game, until 2-0 anyway, and it was clear from the off that an Arsenal win was in the cards.  A Saka PK was the lone first half goal, then Havertz slotted home from close range, and late on Trossard dinked the excellent Seagull keeper on a breakaway.  Brighton was tough, but we were just too good.  Arsenal tops the table, at least until Liverpool plays tomorrow.

The USWNT had a good outing against Japan, winning 2-1.

ARS 2-0 LUT: Cruise Control

 A much-changed side outclassed Luton at the Emirates today.  The Hatters are injury-ravaged, but always give a good ccount of themselves.  They had the longest EPL streak of games in which they scored at least once.  The Gunners started five players who didn't start Sunday, and they didn't click as well as hoped, but it was enough.  It may be very useful to have given important minutes to some of the men out there, especially Emile Smith-Rowe and Thomas Partey.  They did pretty well.  I wish Arteta would give Odegaard a break, though.

City beat Villa comfortably; Liverpool hosts Sheffield United tomorrow.