Arsenal travelled to Brentford to contest a Premier League clash on Saturday evening.
Arsenal went top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win against Brentford. However, it was a tough test for Mikel Arteta’s men against their London rivals.
In a first half generally low on chances, the only trouble Arsenal ever found themselves in was entirely self-inflicted. Aaron Ramsdale, back into the starting XI due to loanee David Raya being ineligible to play against his parent club, was clearly feeling the nerves. He was caught on the ball inside his own area, and only a goal-line block from Declan Rice prevented the Gunners from falling behind at that point.
The Gunners thought they had taken the lead shortly before the break, but a VAR review showed Leandro Trossard had strayed slightly offside before nodding the ball home. Arteta will certainly have demanded a far better showing in the second half.
However, the established pattern continued after the break. The Bees frustrated Arsenal and looked to capitalise on loose play from the Gunners’ defenders. Oleksandr Zinchenko had to produce another goal-line block, having lost possession in the first place himself.
Arteta’s side managed to build some sustained pressure late on though and it told. Substitute Kai Havertz made his most important contribution of his Arsenal career so far with an 89th minute header.
It wasn’t a vintage display but Arsenal are now top of the league.
Arsenal player ratings
Aaron Ramsdale – 5/10
Ramsdale got away with a couple of first half blunders. He made a couple of decent claims in the second half, but the England man was very lucky to return to the Emirates Stadium with a clean sheet.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7/10
Very solid at right-back. Supported Bukayo Saka well.
William Saliba – 7/10
A rock at the back once again.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7.5/10
Gabriel Magalhaes dealt with the Brentford attackers fantastically. The £27 million former Lille defender produced a dominant display.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7/10
A typical Oleksandr Zinchenko performance, in that he did some excellent things on the ball, but was also guilty of being too casual in possession at times.
Declan Rice – 7.5/10
Saved Arsenal with a vital block in the opening period. Dealt with emerging Brentford counterattacks swiftly and decisively on a number of occasions.
Martin Odegaard – 6.5/10
Back in the side after a recent fitness issue, the club captain struggled to impose himself in the first half. However, Martin Odegaard grew into the match and helped his side to build pressure late on.
Leandro Trossard – 6/10
Worked hard as part of the midfield trio but his final ball was missing. Unlucky to have been fractionally offside in the process of finding the back of the net.
Bukayo Saka – 7.5/10
When Arsenal need someone to step up, Saka so often does. He was double-up on, frustrated, and well-marshalled for 89 minutes, before producing a perfect cross to find Havertz at the back post.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10
Was positive on the ball and willing to drive forward. However, Brentford identified his threat and doubled up on Gabriel Martinelli at every opportunity.
Gabriel Jesus – 5.5/10
Ran around a lot and worked as hard as ever, but Gabriel Jesus was never able to really get the better of either of the Brentford centre-backs. Had a chance in the first half which led to Trossard’s disallowed goal, but Jesus really ought to have put the ball away himself.
Substitutes:
Eddie Nketiah – 6/10
Came on and posed a threat.
Kai Havertz – 8/10
Havertz truly announced his arrival at Arsenal with his winning goal. He now needs to build on this.
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