Arsenal looked to get back to winning ways against a very dangerous Brentford side, but Mikel Arteta’s title chasing Gunners struggled to handle the in-form Bees
Arsenal’s Premier League title chances took a huge blow as Brentford came from behind to secure a draw at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side thought they had extended their lead over Manchester City to eight points when Leandro Trossard popped up at the back post to prod home his first goal for the North Londoners. However, Brentford, who saw a Bryan Mbeumo goal controversially ruled out for a foul in the first half and an Ivan Toney effort hit the crossbar, levelled the proceedings ten minutes after.
After a series of Brentford headers in the Arsenal penalty area, Christian Norgaard cut the ball back for Toney to head into an empty net. After the Bees secured a point in north London, Daily Star Sport consider what the Gunners got right and wrong.
Too few diagonal passes
Arsenal were not able to break Brentford open like they did in September (Image: Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Top teams typically struggle to break Brentford down, but Arsenal found the formula in their first. The Gunners secured a comfortable 3-0 away victory over the Bees when they first went toe-to-toe in September.
Their victory was best typified with their second goal when Granit Xhaka received the ball just outside the penalty area and curled a wonderful cross to Gabriel Jesus, who emphatically headed into the top corner. Jesus may still be nursing his injury, but nothing else was stopping Arsenal from testing Brentford’s defence with the same diagonal pass and quick switch of play which cut through them all those months ago.
Brentford were pulled from one side to the other in the G-Tech Community Stadium, but they dealt with the Gunners’ front four in the first half. If Arteta’s side are to maintain their title challenge, they need to rediscover the speed and variation in their attacking play.
Handling Toney and Mbeumo
Arsenal defenders struggled to cope with the physicality of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney
Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney have been one of the most impressive partnerships this season. The Brentford pair terrorised the Arsenal defence and both should have scored in the first half.
When it comes to stopping the duo, a side needs to either cut off their service, or entrust two burly and dynamic defenders to close them down and disrupt them at every possible opportunity. However, the Gunners did neither, and the pair were able to cause problem after problem at the Emirates.
Solving Saka conundrum
Opposition teams appear to be paying extra attention to Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka may have become a victim off his own brilliance. He has looked close to unstoppable at times this season, whether it is running at defenders, bursting in behind, or cutting inside and adding another dimension to the Arsenal defence. However, when dealing with a special player, special measures are often needed.
Brentford’s left flank doubled up on the England international. Rico Henry pressed the wide forward and did not give him a yard of space, while Ben Mee tucked inside and ensured he was able to clear up anything which passed the wing-back. However, Saka and Arteta both found a way around Brentford’s strategy by focusing on the outside of Brentford’s defence.
Arsenal’s goal came from their adaptation, as Saka burst down the right flank and found Trossard at the back post with an inch perfect cross. Saka and Arteta will have to quickly get used to opposition teams tailoring their approach to stopping the Englishman.
Second half reaction
Arteta may have given his side the hairdryer treatment at half time
Arsenal could have gone into half-time 2-0 down – and Arteta knew it. Brentford were more aggressive and more precise in the first half and really should have broke the deadlock in the first half.
A firm word or two later, Arsenal looked like a completely different team in the second half. They were more aggressive in their press, each player was winning more of their battles, and they looked the more likely to open the scoring.
Ever since their dramatic victory over United, the Gunners have looked leggy and disjointed. No Premier League winning team produces Champagne football in every single match, but the very best are able to grind out victories from flat performances.
Final details
Arsenal struggled to contain Brentford
The smallest of details can have the biggest of impacts, as Arteta found out the hard way. Arsenal rode their luck against Brentford, particularly in the first half when both Toney and Mbeumo were both guilty of missing some big chances
When Trossard prodded home at the back post, Arsenal looked to have secured the kind of victory only title contenders can manage. Yet, their lead did not even last ten minutes, as the Gunners were found lacking in their own area.
Brentford one three consecutive headers, before Christian Norgaard was able to cut the ball back for Toney to head into an empty net. The Gunners quite simply fell asleep at the worst possible moment and they were punished.
source: www.dailystar.co.uk
