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.
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