LIV 1-0 ARS: Costly Loss

 In a game where nether side showed much offensive threat, the difference was a spectacular free kick in the 83rd minute from Szoboszlai from thirty-some yards out.  It kissed the left upright a foot or so under the crossbar; Raya was unable to get more than a fingertip on it.  Both teams lost important players:  Saliba came off in the sixth minute, and Konate came off late.  It didn't look good for either central defender.  Wirtz also went down for Liverpool.

 I have to say that the home side played better and deserved the win.  It will take Arsenal a while to integrate the new guys properly, and they will have to, with all the injuries.  It's back to the drawing board for Arteta.  It does not ghet much easier after the international break.

ARS 5-0 LEE and Eze Comes Home

 Before this game started, I was thinking that anything less than four goals would be a disappointment.  So I'm happy.  We were doing that Arteta thing where control is key, but were attacking with a bit more freedom this game.  That was mostly because Leeds was a lot easier to play against than Man U, but it's a real confidence builder to score so freely in the league no matter who the opponent is.  The goals were all good, in their separate ways.  Saka's might have been the pick of the bunch, but Gyokeres's first was a fine solo run and shot, and his penalty was exquisite.  Timber's goals off Rice corners were both great, with the deft header edging the scrappy toe poke while falling for style.  I'm still not convinced that the penalty was merited, but so what?  Dowman had a good substitute appearance.

The injuries to Odegaard and Saka were blows, but we have decent cover now and we can weather their absences a lot better than we could last season.

And we'll see Eberechi Eze soon enough.  Cut from the Arsenal youth ranks at age 13, he always hoped he'd be back with the Gunners and now he is.  If he's anywhere near as good as he was for Palace he'll be fantastic.  He's the sort of player Arteta will just have to make room for.  He works best in central midfield, but I would not be surprised to see him start on the left wing and move inside while Calafiori overlaps.  With the security of Rice alongside and Zubimendi behind him, he can go nuts.  And Big Vik is there as the target man and for wall passes.

I'm afraid that we may have to sell Kiwior and Viera (and Lokonga and Zinchenko at least) at cut rates just to bring in some cash and to trim the squad, which is way too big now.  I applaud the owners for going all in and buying both top talent and depth, buying proven performers and young guys to develop, and buying defenders, mids, forwards, and a fine backup keeper.  And what an academy pipeline we have going!  I'm very optimistic.  

MNU 0-1 ARS: I'll Take It

 Had United scored and come away with a point, it would have been no more than they deserved.  We got outshot and outplayed.  I thought our midfield was going to boss the game, but Amorim's tactics were good enough to neutralize our playmakers.  They spread the ball wide and worked on penetrating the penalty area from there, and it nearly paid off several times.  Some good goalkeeping and great defending were just enough to preserve our early lead.  Speaking of goalkeeping, United's keeper was very poor for the goal.  Had Calafiori not nodded the ball across the line from inches out, it would have been an own goal. 

Gyokeres had little service, and when he did find some space, he lost the ball.  Zubimendi was good.  Madueke didn't do much when he came on.  I didn't hear Rice's name enough; he was a disappointment.  Havertz did fine when he replaced Gyokeres.  Odegaard looked like he did last season, which isn't great.  I love his energy, but in this game he was not finding good passes and his shooting was sub-par.

But give the Red Devils their due:  they played really well.  I expect them to fight for a top five spot.

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I did not write about the transfer market.  Arsenal bought big, and now they need to sell.  There are too many players.