Result: Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Competition: Premier League
Date: 11 February 2023
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Subs: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Tierney, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Trossard, Cozier-Duberry
Arsenal slipped again at the top of the Premier League as they drew 1-1 to Brentford at home. A first Gunners goal from Trossard wasn’t enough to claim all three points. Manchester City may well be licking their lips at the prospect of closing the gap against Villa on Sunday, before their trip to the Emirates midweek.
PRE-GAME
Arsenal returned home for the first time since the win against Manchester United in January, needing a win to bounce back after the disappointing loss to Everton in the last league game.
Arteta named an unchanged side for the sixth consecutive game in the Premier League. The only notable absentees being Elneny, Jesus and Smith-Rowe – with the latter being closest to a return.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal started very brightly, moving the ball quickly and with purpose. They nearly sliced through Brentford in the first two minutes as Nketiah broke into the box, but couldn’t quite lay-off Martinelli.
Brentford hit back though, with Toney crossing for Henry, who made a mess of the finish. The Gunners defenders were asking questions of one another after that chance.
Zinchenko had a half-chance on eight minutes, as a corner was headed down and he had time and space to hit the ball on the volley, but fired high with his weaker foot. Wasteful in the end.
Martinelli looked far more lively than he has in the previous few matches, appearing to roam infield more – enabling him to combine with Arsenal’s midfield more effectively.
After a quarter of an hour, Saka had a half-shout for a penalty as he exchanged a one-two with Ødegaard, before receiving a little nudge from Henry in the box. Saka was almost too honest, as he tried to stay up and get the shot away.
Brentford came closest to scoring so far on 25 minutes, as Toney sonnected with an Mbuemo cross, but shook the bar with a powerful effort. Despite dominating the game, Arsenal were beginning to ride their luck.
Arsenal’s play seemed to slow down as the half wore on, as they struggled to play through Brentford’s low block – often resorting to crosses. But one such cross from White reached Xhaka, who nodded it down to Martinelli who volleyed with his left foot, just over the bar.
SECOND HALF
Arsenal started the second half with intent as Saka linked with Martinelli and Xhaka to open a gap on the left near-post but his shot was well saved by Raya. It was then Ødegaard’s turn to test the keeper as a sweeping move ended in a clipped cross from Nketiah finding his captain, who faired hard and low, but straight at Raya.
Nketiah continued to try and make amends for a poor first half showing, as he closed down Raya to block a clearance. Much to the delight of the Emirates faithful.
Brentford came close again 10 minutes into the second period as Arsenal’s defenders failed to win a couple of duels before Toney was teed up to shoot, but fired just wide.
With an hour gone, Arsenal made their first change of the game as Trossard came on to replace Martinelli on the left-hand side.
Remember how Nketiah was trying to compensate for a slack showing? Well he managed to hit a hopelessly desperate effort on the half turn from outside the box. Not what was needed.
And then on 65 minutes, Arsenal made the breakthrough they so badly needed. It was new boy Leandro Trossard, who had come on to make an impact and he did just that by tucking in at the back post after some great work by Saka. 1-0 to The Arsenal.
But Arsenal’s lead didn’t last long. Toney managed to squeeze the ball in from a free-kick after Ramsdale and his defenders failed to clear the ball. It looked offside in the build up, but VAR appeared to take a look at the wrong phase and the goal was given. 1-1.
Arsenal kept trying more long shots and kept failing to hit the mark. It reeked a bit of desperation as they missed some real dynamism and inventiveness.
As the full-time whistle blew, nerves jangled around the Emirates. A draw isn’t a loss, but it felt like a real set-back. Another poor performance and piles on the pressure for the Gunners’ next game: Manchester City at home.
