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From a totally pragmatic perspective, Liverpool are probably not a team Arsenal need to worry about this season because Arteta is realistically not gunning for the title (though, of course, we'll see how the season goes). They do need to beat out the other top four contenders head-to-head and of course get a good haul of points / strong goal difference against the bottom half clubs to ensure a CL spot.

For Arteta, a top four finish would be a successful season IMO, and I imagine they will go deep in the cups. Europa League? Meh, as long as they get knocked out by a good opponent in the knockout rounds grumbling will probably be kept to a minimum. Or they could go deep there if they exit the cups early.

Liverpool are in good form and I am hoping for, but by no means expecting, a win for the Reds.

EDIT: Speaking of the Europa League, Leicester could have an interesting campaign in Europe if they make it a priority...but the league will surely take precedence.

Personally, I'd be more than happy with a top four finish and an early exit from the Europa League (but, with the caveat, to a good - i.e. worthy - opponent).

Arteta has already amassed some silver - I'm not going to sneeze at the FA Cup - (and will remind any gloomy or grumbling Gooners that Pochettino never acquired any silverware) and wouldn't at all mind more such silver.
 
Villa are one of only three clubs with a perfect 100% record. The other two being Leicester and Everton. Probably not what was expected at the start of the season.

I'm sure they are all hoping for a draw tonight!
 
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Hm.

Liverpool lead by two goals to one.

Well, I sneaked a (depressing) peek at the match during a break in my French class.

Not surprising - Liverpool are still by far the best team in the country - but this result shows firstly, just how good Liverpool still are, and secondly, it also demonstrates that while Arsenal have improved, and improved considerably, there is still plenty of work yet to be done before they can contemplate a serious challenge for the title.

Personally, I would rest more than content with a top four place by season's end.
 
I think both teams played well, but Arsenal were on the back foot for long stretches. Liverpool looked more like their old selves today, if they can keep this level up a title defense looks plausible.

Arsenal did a reasonably good job of congesting the wings in their own half, preventing the long diagonals that Liverpool often use to bypass the midfield. That performance was probably good enough to beat or draw with any other team in the league. And actually, with Man Utd laboring, Man City stuttering, Spurs up-and-down, and Chelsea being less than the sum of their expensive parts...the Gunners could finish quite high in the table this season.

More handball controversy, though luckily it had no effect on the result. To me it sure looked like the ball hit Jota's arm before he shot, and under the current interpretation of the laws that's a handball, right? But it wasn't given, and almost none of the Arsenal players complained about it either.
 
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Thiago has tested positive for COVID. Fortunately it appears to be a mild case, but he will now be quarantined for about two weeks.

The last round of COVID testing in the Premier League returned the highest ever number of cases, so clubs need to be extra careful. The overall trajectory of the pandemic is NOT downward in the near future.
 
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Thiago has tested positive for COVID. Fortunately it appears top be a mild case, but he will now be quarantined for about two weeks.

the last round of COVID testing in the Premier League returned the highest ever number of cases, so clubs need to be extra careful. The overall trajectory of the pandemic is NOT downward in the near future.
Agreed. Also how many players do you have to have ill or self isolating before your games get cancelled?
 
Didn't Thiago just sign for Liverpool, and flew to the UK? Thus, should he not have been in isolation for two weeks anyway?
 
EDIT: Speaking of incompetence, it appears the Premier League will now pay to test all lower league opponents prior to cup matches.

This is a no-brainer and should have been part of the plan before the season even started.

I fear greatly for the EFL in general though - the Leyton Orient affair was just the tip of the COVID iceberg.

Didn't Thiago just sign for Liverpool, and flew to the UK? Thus, should he not have been in isolation for two weeks anyway?

You would think? I confess I don't understand how the logistics worked. I didn't hear any ballyhoo over his arrival on that front, so I assume protocols were followed, though I wouldn't sign my name to that.

The best I can say is that for Liverpool's suits to screw up such a detail would be uncharacteristic.
 
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Champions League draw is taking place right now.

Liverpool in Group D, drawn with Ajax and Atalanta so far. Tough group
Man Utd in Group G, drawn against PSG (again) and RB Leipzig. Tough group
Chelsea in Group E, drawn against Sevilla and Kradnodar. Looks easy
City in Group C against Porto and Olympiacos. Also a kind-looking draw
 
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I only got to watch the penalty shootout between Liverpool and Arsenal. I guess that was all I needed to watch. Adrián will want that last kick back, for sure.
 
It’s the competition I care least about but it still stings. Poor old Origi, he’s been so clutch for Liverpool in the big moments. I look forward to the chance of doing the double over the Gunners in the league by way of revenge.

Though, they’ve got a great shot of winning the EFL cup, and two cups in two years would be a great start for Arteta.
 

Not for @Lord Blackadder, agreed, and yes, it is the least importune competition, but a cup is still a cup.

Despite having held the position fr less than a year, Arteta has already guided Arsenal to the FA Cup.

However, to me, what is significant is that Arteta is slowly, but steadily. building up Arsenal's confidence. Arsenal's defence held, and they also held their nerve through a penalty shot-out.

Mind you, they face Manchester City next; if they win that, they will be able to say that they took the more challenging route to success.
 
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