Former Arsenal man feels £45m Gunners ace ‘will be disappointed’ after Brentford moment

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Steve Sidwell believes Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus would have ended the first half at Brentford ‘disappointed’ after missing the shot before the Leandro Trossard non-goal.

The non-goal came from a bit of patient play by the Gunners on the edge of Brentford’s area after 42 minutes. Arsenal eventually worked the ball back to Bukayo Saka who spotted Jesus peeling behind Kristoffer Ajer. But Mark Flekken reached to stop the Brazilian heading home.

Yet Trossard stayed alert after Jesus’ header to beat Flekken to the ball as the initial save fell at the far post. The Belgian’s awareness was in vain, however, as VAR Josh Smith told referee Tim Robinson to rule the opener out. He spotted Trossard’s toes were just beyond Jesus’ leg.

Trossard’s non-goal at Brentford came from Jesus’ miss

Trossard and Jesus both beat Brentford’s offside trap as Saka lifted the ball forward into the Brazilian’s path. But VAR Smith would deny Arsenal the opener as Trossard was a fraction in front of Jesus. The millimetres between them ensured the Bees survived the first half level.

Arsenal had dictated most of the opening 45 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium. But the Emirates Stadium outfit struggled to break down Thomas Frank’s side before Trossard’s non-goal. WhoScored data at the break had the Gunners as having 69.5% of the possession.

Yet despite controlling the ball, Arsenal only registered two shots on target from nine efforts attempted in total. Six of the north Londoners’ strikes went wide of Flekken’s net. Brentford took three shots in the first half with one sent on target that Declan Rice cleared off the line.

Jesus returned from a hamstring injury to start for Arsenal

Jesus was behind four of Arsenal’s nine shots in the first half at Brentford as the £45m ace returned to Mikel Arteta’s team. He had missed their previous three Premier League fixtures with the hamstring injury sustained at Sevilla. But the 64-cap star returned to play for Brazil.

Featuring for 96 minutes as Argentina beat Brazil convinced Arteta that Jesus was ready for Arsenal’s trip to Brentford. But his return to action came with a tinge of frustration with the miss preceding Trossard’s non-goal as far as ex-Gunners midfielder Sidwell was concerned.

“It was a bit of brilliance and the timing of the run,” Sidwell told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Jesus will be disappointed he didn’t score the first one. But again, it shows the purpose from Arsenal.”