three things on a sunday

Arsenal
That was the first game I've watched all season (including pre-season) and it was, well, fun. For a bit I felt like Newcastle was playing better (they did a fair bit of keep away in the first half and parts of the second), but as soon as we got that first goal, the team seemed to step up. The passing was good, (not great, but it's really only the third game of the season) and that third goal? Utterly fantastic. But, I have to say, the defense does not inspire any confidence in me. I was yelling at them to score a fourth goal because I had absolutely not faith in the boys being able to stop Newcastle scoring. Of course they did and kept a clean sheet, etc, but I don't know. We need defenders.

Oh, and Robin van Persie is made of glass. I stand by this because every time someone touched him remotely hard (not that they weren't bad tackles, because they were) he was writhing around in pain. And not even that fake and imagined pain that we're so familiar with, but the real 'is he going to get up' kind of pain. Either make him tougher or protect him better. Because, seriously, we obviously need him.

DC United
I have no idea. I didn't see this game, I was off having a pretty damn awesome time with a friend of mine (we went to a baseball game, sure the Tigers lost, but the fake-celebs in front of us getting kicked out for drinking and smoking was hilarious). Amanda texted me with updates periodically, but I have a feeling I didn't necessarily miss a stellar game. I am happy that it was an 0-0 draw, because that means we have a clean sheet. Granted, it also means we couldn't score and I guess Moreno missed another penalty kick (ugh). I am looking forward to the Open Cup final (which hopefully I can watch in my computer), because I don't work that night (and I turned down another chance to watch baseball).

Other things.
Apparently Michael Bradley is going to sign for the Germany team Borussia Mönchengladbach (sources: here, here and here). I don't know much about the team, except what I read about them on wiki and a Big Soccer post on the subject. I do think it's a step up from Heerenveen, even if the team was just promoted (but I guess they've only been down for a season?). And I agree with the Big Soccer member who said England was probably too fast for him. I just hope this doesn't backfire, like so many moves for Americans have. So, in conclusion, better than Heerenveen -- if he gets playing time and an eventual spot in the starting eleven.