We’re back home at The Emirates Stadium, hosting The Bees… and The Arsenal are determined to be the only ones creating a buzz in this match.
Brentford have been in fine form of late, and their striker Igor Thiago, just cannot stop scoring at the moment. We need to stay focused, and ensure we don’t get stung.
It’s yet Another London Derby, so it’ll be a tricky game to navigate… and even though Brentford’s long throws, and physicality, have been the main talking points, leading up to this game… the excellent football that they play, shouldn’t be overlooked.
They’re efficient on the counter-attack, and very seldom squander opportunities.
Away from home, The Bees haven’t been able to make honey, but they’ve got themselves into some sticky situations on the road, nonetheless.
We need to get back to winning ways, after not collecting all three points against Chelsea… and this Arsenal squad are more than capable, of putting together another winning run.
The starting lineup surprised me, because YES, players needed rest, but I just thought Arteta wouldn’t rest anyone. He generally plays his favourite players into the ground, until the muscles in their legs are falling off the bone… like meat cooked tenderly.
Arteta went with David Raya in goal, Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back, Mosquera, and Hencapie, continued to deputise centrally… for the injured Saliba, and Gabriel… and Calafiori took his rightful place, at left-back. He’s been undeniably superb, so far this season.
In midfield… our skipper Martin Odegaard, returned to the starting lineup… and he was kept company by Zubimendi, and Declan Rice.
Up top, Saka was given a rest… so Madueke started on the right, Merino through the middle, and Martinelli started on the left.
We started the game with a point to prove, after only getting a point at Chelsea… and I’d like to point out again, that it was a good point… so no pointing fingers to the contrary. You get my point.
We also drew with Brentford in this fixture last season, and the players seemed determined to swarm The Bees, get an early goal, and make them buzz off.
We kept the ball in the early stages, like it was a secret entrusted to us, by a loved one, or a dear, dear, friend.
The Arsenal looked sharp, and energetic… and the Arsenal faithful, mirrored the team, in the stands. Singing, cheering, and roaring, loudly. We were up for this.
In the 11th minute, Benny Blanco (Ben White) picked up the ball on the edge of the Brentford box, and he laid the ball off to Noni Madueke, and kept running on the overlap. Madueke, with an ingenious bit of skill… returned the ball into Benny Blanco’s path… and first time, he whipped in a sumptuous cross, and the dependable, makeshift striker… Mikel Merino, headed the ball home. A brilliant move! 1-0 to The Arsenal!! We got the all important first goal, and looked like we’d get a hatful more.
The Bees were under siege, and ironically… it was Arsenal who showed a hive mentality. We moved intelligently, and as a collective, all over the pitch.
Madueke had a shot saved, after his twinkle toes created space in the box. It should’ve been
2-0, but the shot was straight at the keeper.
Brentford had a corner, and put a good ball into our box, that the Brentford striker, Kevin Schade, headed powerfully goalwards. With surreal reflexes… David Raya leapt into the air, with catlike agility, and stretched out a hand, that somehow tipped the ball onto the bar.
It was a spectacular save, from David Raya. WOW!!
Madueke had another nearly moment… when the ball was squared to him, but as he was about to tap the ball in from close range, the Brentford defender, Rico Henry… got a vital block in. It was superb defending (Unfortunately).
We were in complete control of the game, and were creating chances at will… but the 1-0 scoreline, suggested otherwise.
It’s impossible to relax, with such a slender lead.
Mosquera went down in the 44th minute, with what appeared to be a quite innocuous injury.
He had to go off, and was replaced by Jurrien Timber, who is no stranger to playing at centre-back, due to playing the position for his national team.
Our luck must change, where injuries are concerned… because this is beyond ridiculous now.
I don’t know what we did to make the football gods so angry, but I hope they forgive us soon… and stop putting our players out of commission.
The first half finished 1-0 to The Arsenal, and I was a little disappointed, because we had a plethora of chances, to kill the game off… but failed to do so.
In the second half, we dropped off, and I’m unsure why. Maybe it was fatigue, maybe we had one eye on the Villa game on Saturday… or, maybe… it was fear of conceding a Brentford equaliser.
We still had the lion share of the possession, but we were less efficient with the ball, and we looked a bit flat.
Changes were made in the 61st minute. Eze came on for Martinelli, and Saka came on for Madueke.
We still lacked fluency, but still managed to work their keeper.
Shots from Declan Rice, and Calafiori , didn’t bear fruit… and the longer the game went on, the more slender our lead looked.
Gyokeres was introduced in the 83rd minute, but with him still trying to regain the form he showed, before his injury… he couldn’t make the impact he would’ve liked. (He will soon though)
Just when I was accepting the famous, 1-0 to the Arsenal… up steps, Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka… in the 91st minute. AKA… The Starboy.
He took a great through ball from Merino, in his stride… got in behind the Brentford defence, and cut back onto his left, took the shot… and the keeper got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out.
2-0 to The Arsenal… and there’s nothing to see here, except our Starboy, doing Starboy things.
The match finished 2-0, and I’m happy with that… as we weren’t at our sparkling best, and really had to grind out the result, against a good Brentford team.
We take that 3 points, and we’re on to the next. One game, at a time… an old cliché, but a true one.
The Villains will be a tough test… but in the Premier League, all we face, are tough tests… and thus far, we’ve passed said tests, with flying colours.
COYG!!
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