Thomas Frank claims two Arsenal stars are the ‘best’ in the Premier League

Add as preferred source on Google

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has heaped praise on Arsenal wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

On Saturday evening, at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford clearly focused a great deal of their defensive efforts on stopping Arsenal’s wide men, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Both wingers were doubled-up on by Brentford defenders, and had to fight for space throughout the match. For the vast majority of the match, the hosts’ ploy worked. 

As per Sofascore statistics, Saka was not able to successfully complete any dribbles or manage a single shot in the match. On the left flank, Martinelli lost possession 18 times, as he was regularly crowded out or shepherded down dead ends.

However, in the 89th minute, with Arsenal in desperate need of a goal, Saka did what he has done so many times before in his short career and stepped up to make a vital contribution at a crucial moment. The 22-year-old Hale End academy graduate found some space on the edge of the box and swung a perfect delivery into Kai Havertz at the far post. The German was able to nod the ball home, securing all three points for the Gunners and breaking Brentford hearts.

Saka and Martinelli are going to have to get used to dealing with this extra attention. As two of the Gunners’ most potent players, they will be targeted by defenders. 

Arsenal must make Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli focus work for them

Brentford manager Thomas Frank was proud of his side’s efforts to keep Saka and Martinelli quiet. As quoted by Match of the Day after the match, the Danish coach said, “I think we did a top job to keep two of the best wingers in the league quiet throughout the game. It was just one top action from Saka in the end, and great movement from Havertz.”

Mikel Arteta will be working regularly with Saka and Martinelli to help them get to grips with, and overcome, the extra attention they are being afforded by defenders. If the duo can consistently find ways to impact matches despite the constant pressure being applied to them, then they will truly be amongst the elite.

As a team, Arsenal also need to get better at taking advantage of the fact that Saka and Martinelli are being so closely marked. If opponents are pushing players out wide to deal with the Arsenal wingers, then spaces will open up in the middle of the park that the Gunners must look to exploit. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Havertz, amongst others, should be constantly looking to take advantage whenever Saka or Martinelli draw defenders away from them.