Arsenal came into this one looking to restore their 5 point lead at the top of the Premier League table in a game that was never likely to be a classic in all honest, but was absolutely vital for Arsenal to take maximum points from. It also felt important that Arsenal kept a clean sheet tonight and displayed a bit of control that has been lacking in recent performances.
Mikel Arteta shuffled his deck, as expected, however, given the importance of the game he made just three changes with Ben White replacing Jurrien Timber at right back and Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard replacing Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze. All three dropped to an impressive looking bench, alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus. William Saliba was not fit enough for the bench so you’d have to hope he is being saved for the game at Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
Arsenal started well and took a deserved lead through Mikel Merino’s glancing header from a brilliant Ben White cross, of how we’ve missed those! The run from Merino was also excellent and it was a really nice, open play goal from the Gunners, who showed yet another side to their attacking play.
That was as good as it got in the first half for Arsenal and although you felt like they were maybe worth another goal, there was never really any clearcut openings, outside of the Merino goal. At the other end, Brentford were a handful from set pieces, as expected and would have thought they had a leveller when Kevin Schade directed a bullet header from a corner towards goal. Cue more David Raya magic as he somehow got a fingertip on the header to tip it onto the bar. It was a truly, amazing save and one that I will definitely be watching back later!
The one really negative from the first half was an apparent injury to Cristhian Mosquera, who had to be replaced by Jurrien Timber around 40 minutes.
Into the second half and although it was Brentford this time that started on the front foot, David Raya was never really troubled and Arsenal soon retained their control and started to pass the ball around nicely. Around the 60 minute mark, both side rang the changes to try with Arsenal introducing Eze and Saka in place of Martinelli and Madueke and Arsenal all of a sudden started to carry more menace. Riccardo Calafiori had a lovely jink into the box only to see his shot parried away into Mikel Merino’s path which led the Spaniard to go looking for a penalty when he might have been better recycling the ball in a really dangerous position. You’re not playing for Chelsea, Mikel!! Stay on your feet.
The game was starting to open up now and Declan Rice stepped inside to hit a lovely low power shot which Kelleher did well to repel but again, it only found Mikel Merino who somehow fell over and poked the ball wide instead of prodding the ball into the gaping net.
It must have been catching as Bukayo Saka did almost exactly the same thing in the 90th minute with The Emirates faithful just waiting for the net to bulge. Saka, like Merino, ended up on the floor with the ball trickling towards the goal instead of settling nicely into the net, which allowed Kelleher to save and the chance was gone.
Just as it looked like us Arsenal fans were going to have to sit through a torturous stoppage time period, Bukayo Saka made amends for his earlier miss as his powerful shot could only be helped into the net by the Brentford keeper and despite his attempts to claw the ball out of the net, it comfortably crossed the line and Arsenal doubled their lead and with it, sealed the game.
David Raya – 8
Probably seems like quite a high rating for a game where I only remember one save, but I thought his distribution was excellent, he commanded his box well from Brenfford’s set pieces and that save from Schade was worth an extra point on his own. Great performance.
Ben White – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Has had to wait patiently for his chance this season and tonight he unleashed all of that frustration to deliver a masterful performance from right back. Full of attacking threat, brilliant overlapping runs and solid defensive work throughout, White rolled back the years and sent a gentle reminder to Timber and Arteta that he’s not done yet. Crowned off a brilliant game with a lovely assist for the opening goal. Good to have him back.
Cristhian Mosquera – 6
Looked assured again. Read the game well and was relatively untroubled, until the Arsenal injury curse caught up with him and he was forced off in the first half. Let’s hope it was just precautionary.
Piero Hincapie – 7
Considering his size, the Ecuadorian is really good in the air. Was dominant in his duels throughout (well, he is an Arteta player!) and looked to push Arsenal forward whenever he could. Another strong performance from the improving new man.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
Probably played longer than he expected, but the maverick Italian was back to his best tonight as he popped up in all kinds of positions, including right wing and centre forward and was a threat throughout. Got into some lovely attacking positions and showed quick feet to get a shot off, which Kelleher did well to save. Dealt with the threat fellow countryman Kayode well, as very little got past him. Avoided the booking that would have seen him suspended for Saturday.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Kept things ticking over nicely with his clever movement and line breaking passes. Linked well with Martin Odegaard throughout, with the two exchanging passes throughout in what is an interesting looking partnership.
Declan Rice – 8
Another all action performance from Rice. Defended the near post well from Brentford’s set plays and was quick to get Arsenal on the attack when on the ball. Some really nice link up play with Merino and Calafiori down the left and he had a couple of sighters at goal, most of which he made from his own clever runs and dummies, which nearly yielded a second goal for Arsenal. Worryingly withdrawn around 80 minutes with what looked to be a tight calf.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Busy, if not spectacular. Wasn’t able to open up the Brentford defence, but his press was important throughout and linked up well with all those around him, especially down the right hand side with White and Madueke, and then Saka. Couple of times he might have had a go, but decided against it. Feels like he is feeling his way back into this Arsenal team, but this was a good start. Pressed well throughout.
Noni Madueke – 7
Played a big part in the opener, as his fancy footwork played Ben White in behind and he generally looked our most likely threat throughout the whole first half. Faded a bit in the second half at which point we had to bring on Bukayo Saka….poor us!! 😊 Needs to stop taking corners though.
Mikel Merino – 7
Brilliant run and header for his goal. Absolute trademark number 9 play, as he makes us wonder if he has been lying about being a midfielder this whole time! Linked up superbly well at times and even looked class when he dropped back into midfield. Should have had a second, if not for a strange sort of poke which left him on his backside with the goal gaping. Loses a mark for trying to con a penalty out of the ref. Sorry, Mikel, those the rules!
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Never really got into the game. Definitely suits the more open Champions League nights or away games, where there is space in behind for him to really do some damage. Wasn’t helped by the fact everything went down the right in the first half either. Didn’t do anything wrong, didn’t really do anything at all and was rightly subbed on 60 minutes.
Subs:
Jurrien Timber – 7 – Had his rest cut short when Mosquera pulled up injured and shone in the heart of the defence from the moment he entered the pitch. Is there anything this guy can’t do? Effortless and nerveless defending at times, as he totalled backed himself to stave off Brentford pressure and just ease away with the ball.
Bukayo Saka – 7 – More like it from Saka as he carried real threat from the moment he was introduced. Stretched the game well and made amends for missing a sitter by sealing the game in the last minute with a powerful finish.
Eberechi Eze – 6 – Came on the left this time and had a few nice moments. His impeccable first touch was on show as he took the ball under pressure numerous times and was able to come out with possession through his strong close control. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take up this position on Saturday when Arsenal head to Villa, as Arsenal try to find a way to fit him and Martin Odegaard into the team.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5 – Barely touched the ball as he replaced Rice late on.