Brentford manager Keith Andrews was satisfied with his side’s performance against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Andrews expected set-piece threat against Arsenal, but instead, the Brentford boss was beaten by two open-play goals.
In fact, quite the opposite played out, as Arsenal didn’t threaten from set-pieces at all when the Bees visited.
Still, Mikel Arteta’s team returned to winning ways to replenish their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.
It was a professional performance from the Gunners, who weren’t at their best and at times allowed Brentford to put their stamp on the contest.
Arsenal recorded an xG of 0.00 from set-pieces vs Brentford for the first time this season… 😲
How badly are the Gunners missing Gabriel Magalhaes’ threat from set-pieces? Let us know which player needs to step up for Arteta’s team in the comments…
Keith Andrews says Mikel Arteta was aware of Brentford’s threat before Arsenal’s win
Arsenal weren’t tested like they were against Chelsea by any means, but it was clear that Arteta wasn’t prepared to underestimate the Bees.
What the Arsenal manager thought of Brentford was on Andrews’ mind, as he explained in his post-match press conference.
“I think he would’ve known we weren’t going to give an easy game; they’d have to earn it,” the Irishman said of Arteta.
“They’re a top team, I have the utmost respect for this football club and the way he sets the team up, he respects all phases of the game. He’s a top coach, obviously, so I think he would’ve known it was a difficult game.”
Arteta’s recent record against Brentford supports Andrews’ thoughts, having dropped points against the Bees only last season.
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Andrews was right about what Brentford did to Arsenal in the second half
Arsenal got the win and responded to Manchester City’s dramatic victory against Fulham in a contrasting fashion.
Though the Gunners didn’t concede four goals like their title rivals, they did give Brentford a glimmer of hope that they could get a result.
| First half | Statistic | Second half |
| 33% | Possession | 43% |
| 141 | Passes | 192 |
| 43% | Duels won | 52% |
The difference between the first and second half was there for all to see and was something Andrews touched upon post-match.
“The second half, we took the game to them, we grew into it, we caused them a lot of problems with the ball and how aggressive we were with our solid structure,” he said, going on to state that his side gave Arsenal an ‘uncomfortable evening’.
For all of Brentford’s threat, the Gunners got the win in a no-nonsense way, a victory that Arteta might just look back on at the end of the season.
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