Arsenal 3-1 Brentford—Vote for Player Ratings & MOTM!

A surprisingly strong Arsenal squad full of first-teamers, with only Smith Rowe breaking in, looked likely to overwhelm Brentford, especially as Danny Welbeck scored two first-half goals from assists by Guendouzi and Monreal. However, a fine free-kick brought Brentford back into the game and it got a littler nervy. The late introductions of Ramsey and Lacazette that we might press for another goal, but neither could find the final touch. Then, finally, Lacazette was able to pounce on a loose ball, emerge from the scramble, and score the goal that settled any doubts as to the outcome. Well, we're through to the next round, more than can be said of Man U or Liverpool. Let's get to the poll!

Arsenal 2-0 Everton—Vote for Player Ratings & MOTM!

Lacazette and Aubameyang scored goals within three minutes of each other, both assisted by Ramsey to create some breathing space between us and the Toffees in what was otherwise a bit of an indifferent match. Čech finally found us a clean sheet, having had to deny strong chances from Walcott and Richarlison. We were again too open in the back, and we offered too many openings to Everton to exploit. Still, there's something to be said for winning even when not playing well. At some point, sooner rather than later, we'll have to start actually playing well. For now, the result is enough to see us overtake Man U to climb into sixth, level on points with Tottenham. Enjoy that while it lasts, and let's get down to the poll!

Arsenal 4-2 Vorksla—Vote for Player Ratings & MOTM!

Arsenal opened its Europa League campaign on a lightning-bolt of a counter-attack when Mkhitaryan
pounced on a wayward pass and released Iwobi into space behind's Vorksla's back line. Welbeck slotted a cross through the area that Aubameyang pounced on to score. That carried us into halftime up 1-0, and it wasn't long after that Welbeck nodded home from Mkhitaryan's cross to make it 2-0. It wasn't long before Auba found his second goal—and Mkhi his second assist—and the romp was on. Özil came on and quickly found a goal to make it 4-0, and the only pressing question was whether a clean sheet was in the offing. The answer: nope. Ah, well. Let's enjoy the win for what it is, and get down to the poll!

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal—Vote for Player-Ratings & MOTM!

After a tepid first half, Arsenal finally found its way past Newcastle's energy and organization courtesy of a well-struck free kick from Xhaka, whose effort looked likely to sail high only to dip sharply under the bar. Moments later, during a scramble, Özil pounced coolly on a loose ball to thread it through the thicket and just past Dubravka's outstretched palm. From there, it was really only a matter of trying to secure the first clean sheet. Despite conceding in stoppage-time, we can enjoy consecutive away-wins for the first time in what fees like living memory. After finding only 16 points away last season, we already have six from just three matches.Well, enough chewing the scenery. Let's get to the poll!

Forget Laca. Forget Auba. When we need a goal, it's La Cabra!

La Cabra has struck yet again, delivering a crucial equaliser that re-seized the momentum as we won us our first match of the season. His goal, coming minutes after Arnautovic opened the scoring for West Ham on a day when we looked just as likely to score as to concede. What's remarkable, though, about Monreal's fourth goal of 2018—third-best in the squad after Aubameyang (10) and Lacazette (6)—is that each and every goal that Monreal has scored for Arsenal has lifted us out of a draw or brought us back to level terms. That's a stunning stat that shows how vital Monreal has been going forward.