Morning all.
That really was edge of the seat stuff. Aaron Ramsdale will no doubt hog the headlines for the wrong reasons but, let’s be honest here, he ending up keeping us in the game with a couple of outstanding saves. The one from Ivan Toney was incredible.
Mikel Arteta made two changes to the team which thrashed Sheffield Utd, both forced as Leandro Trossard replaced the injured Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale coming in for the illegible David Raya.
Two minutes in, Ivan Toney was back in his own box defending a corner. The theme of the game really as I lost count of how many corners we notched up throughout the entire game yet for once, none of them led to us scoring. Instead, it was a move down our right hand side which bore fruit. Ben White to Bukayo Saka, a return pass to our right-back, a cross into the box and there was Declan Rice to score Arsenal’s opener – his 6th goal of the season. Chances to extend our lead came through Kai Havertz but his shot was straight at the Brentford keeper and then after finding himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat, his little chipped shot went wide. Bukayo Saka sent a shot high over the bar and then just seconds before halftime, Aaron Ramsdale dawdled in possession and as he tried to make his pass out, Wissa got his body in the way and the ball rebounded into the net. 1-1. An absolutely awful moment for our keeper. His teammates rallied around him as he trudged off down the tunnel.
I’m sure most Arsenal fans wondered which Ramsdale would come out for the second half. A deflated man who felt sorry for himself or the player who’d performed so well for the club not that long ago. The answer was soon clear, it was the latter.
As already mentioned, Ramsdale‘s save from a Toney shot, a shot which would have caught many a keeper out, was superb. Up the other end, Gabriel came close from a corner. Ramsdale was again called into action to keep a Nathan Collins header out with another good save. Rice then hit the woodwork from distance, whilst Brentford players were falling over whenever they could.
Five minutes to go and despite all the trying, it looked like the points might be shared. Ben white and Kai Havertz had other ideas. White whipped in yet another good cross from the right and there was our tall German to head home what proved to be our winner.
The game itself was very different to what we’ve seen over the last few months. Some of that was down to Brentford I’m sure but I didn’t think our passing and movement was as good as it has been. I think the team missed Gabriel Martinelli’s pace down the left, not that Leandro Trossard is slow mind you, it’s just Martinelli is different. What one can only admire about Arsenal is that regardless of things not going as they’d hoped, they never gave up. That crunching tackle from Reiss Nelson late in the game said it all. Arsenal didn’t resort to time wasting, feigning injury or any other underhand tactics either although Frank disagreed.
After the game he said:
I actually think, and I would never normally do this, but I think Havertz shouldn’t be on the pitch when he scored the goal For me, it was a clear dive – the penalty shout. If you see that slowly back, it’s clear. Maybe, it’s difficult for Rob the ref but the linesman should have seen it, in my opinion, clearly.
Maybe Havertz did go over a bit too easily but perhaps Frank should focus on the antics of his own players who were diving around or pushing and shoving the Arsenal players in the box during a set-piece. Did Trossard not have his shirt tugged in the box? What about Gabriel too and when Odegaard was about to unleash a left footed shot but was shoved off the ball? If Frank wants to have an opinion, at least look at the whole picture and not just what he perceived to be decisions which went against his team.
Anyway, in the end it was another three points for Mikel Arteta and his team and boy was he happy at the end.
A great performance, a great result against a very difficult opponent. We overcame a difficult moment today and I’m really pleased with the way the team reacted, individually how they understood the task. It was incredible the way the crowd reacted as well; how much they helped us again today, the energy they put in, the enthusiasm and the noise inside the stadium – I had a feeling we were going to score.
It’s impossible not to feel it. They are playing every ball, they are driving the team, they are pushing the team, they are supporting the team in a difficult moment, and it changes our world, honestly.
Now he, the players, his staff and all Arsenal fans can sit and watch the late game on Sky Sports knowing that whatever the outcome, the job Arsenal needed to do yesterday, has been done.
Catch up in the comments..
Trossard was pulled down by his throat, which every TV pundit and commentators agreed it should have been a penalty, but given that Tierney is not a big fan of Arsenal, you can understand why Tierney the bias Arsenal hater did not give it. He did confirm that Havertz first 50 50 blind sided high arm was a foul, when every pundit said it was not. If it was down to the bias Tierney regarding Havertz getting a second yellow, he would of gave it. Tierney must have been kicking himself that he did not have the bias power to tell the ref to send Havertz off, but at least Tierney saved Brentford from an obvious penalty against Trossard.
Reacting to adversity is the way that peoples moral fibre is measured . This team is growing and after the Havertz goal the most satisfying part was the way we overcame a team that came to spoil . Perhaps we should thank Frank, Toney and the Brentford team for giving us a dry run as practice for the Porto match on Tuesday.
Lots of comments from lots of people ,me amongst them , about Ramsdale yesterday , it was a total reaction to the frustration of the situation and yes he redeemed himself in the second half but it’s the mistake that will get the re runs .
Martinelli was a big miss , you don’t realise how good he is until he is not there. Nothing against Trossard but he drifts inside and we lose the penetration , speed and the space the Brazillian creates.
Two important games today all eyes will be on Anfield but at Villa park our neighbours should they lose will start looking over their shoulders at United and that just about displays their level.
Watched a re run of the game and many talking points and it was a nightmare for Ramsdale to concede when he did but he was playing well before that and made two excellent saves in the second half and Toney is no fool.
Ben White has improved enormously and is versatile and Rice playing more forwrd maes him as much a threat as anyone in attack.
Havertz is like marmite to me but is improving and who knows how vital that winner will be .
Remember Ramsdale has only played three games all season (I think) and his 2 inch height over Raya may have been critical in both excellent second half saves so give the man credit.
Trossard isn’t a replacement for Martinelli who was sorely missed down the left but we got the job done which maybe last season wouldn’t have happenedI thought our subs were strange as they had little impact
Arteta wants Raya 2 inch shorter than Ramsdale and imo neither is the long term answer.
Porto will employ rough tactics and probably will just be as difficult a game if not more.
That’s just my opinion but Rice will turn out to be the bargain of the season I am sure.
Daveg, agree, VAR was shocking yesterday but as usual, it’s down to the person operating it. I’d imagine Brentford was considered a tricky opponent who might be a thorn in Arsenal’s season and he duly obliged in making it even more difficult.
True re the preparation for Porto, they’ll be worse than Brentford know how to be. If we get the same set of officials, Lord help us…
I thought Nelson did alright when he came on Kelsey. Jesus is rusty though. Same as Ramsdale and Partey.
Good morning all, barring injury or suspension, that is likely to be Ramsdale’s final game for Arsenal. Arteta prefers Raya and Ramsdale won’t spend another season on the bench
Rumour is Chelsea want him Cicero…
Hopefully he will move to a European club rather than one of our Premiership competitors Rico. With a buy back clause in his contract of course.
Hi Rico.. nice write-up 👍
I didn’t think we’d keep a clean sheet, I shook my head and thought what the hell was he (Ramsdale) doing? He had so much time to clear it. Yes he redeemed himself in the 2nd half, thankfully, but why oh why does he do it?!!!
I agree with Potter, Martinelli was a huge miss yesterday. I hope he’s back for Tuesday.
Rice on the scoresheet again, I love that guy, he’s been brilliant!
Havertz coming up with the goods again.. he loves a goal against the Bees 😁 That was one of the wildest (& loudest) games I’ve been to. A massive win, sitting pretty at the summit.. now for a draw later 🙏
As Eliza Doolittle said, ow wouldenit be luvverly. 😉
I hope so too Cicero because I’ve a feeling he’ll be very good wherever he goes if he plays each week. Plus, a good goalkeeping coach might do him the world of good.
Hi Sue, thanks.
Rice is worth every penny paid and more and Havertz is a surprise, a very positive one though. No one is talking much about his fee now. Not even me. 😜
Afternoon Rico and all.
The Brentford manager is like the Everton manager, always complaining about the refs and their opponent cheating but never blames his own players when they loose,
I read on another blog that Martinelli was on crutches yesterday,hopefully a precaution but must mean he is doubtful for Tuesday.
Afternoon Geoff.
That’s not good re Martinelli ☹️
Great result for us…
Doku reminds me of Pepe , loads of talent but only effective on rare occasions . Almost a nearly today at the finish . Just win out and we’ve got it lol.
I was so unimpressed with Man City in particular,it looked like they were on top but for some reason as soon as they scored it all slowed down,it looked like they were playing to hold on to 1-0. they could have lost right at the end.
Aston Villa were pretty dire today too.. I wonder if this is when they start to fade away..
You make it sound so simple Potter lol
City and pool draw what a great result for us, our goal difference now very important.
Just finished watching the Pool/City match, I was very careful not to look up the score first. Great game for the neutral, me for once, City looked like they had run out of steam midway through the second half and I can only describe Liverpool as profligate in front of goal.
It was nice to see the reaction of both sets of players, and the managers, to the result as they seemed to genuinely respect each other.
The draw was just what I was hoping for and it keeps the title race close to boiling point.
Win all our remaining games and the title is ours. Simples! 😉
The Spurs/Villa result will put a spanner in the works of Emery’s merry band and will, for a short time be a blessing for the hacks who will use it as proof the our neighbours are on the way back. They’re are not of course, there will soon certainly be another Spursy moment and they will sink back into mid table obscurity.
I have been on the Havertz bandwagon since day one. I watched this dude at Bayer, and he was terrific, and then Chelsea almost ruined him. When you truly watch him, his industry, physicality, touch, movement, etc. He’s a true footballer. To the untrained eyes, these things go unnoticed.
This Arsenal team is so much better than previous years when they played City and were bullied, especially Rodri in the midfield. But this season, there is physicality all round the pitch, Saliba, Gabriel, White, Kiwior, Havertz, Rice, Partey, are not easy to bully, and it showed on Saturday. One thing to consider against City is that this season, Arsenal have not lost against them, and last season, there were no Rice or Havertz Arsenal in terms of adding steel.
Btw, Rico, your statement that Toney wouldn’t be coming to Arsenal now, that ok. There are better options. Imagine if he was an Arsenal player. He would’ve gotten a 3 year banned instead for his gambling.
Can Liverpool ride the emotional rollercoaster all the way to end of the season? I’m not sure they can, too many games, too many injuries.
Are Man City showing signs of peaking (I think maybe they are) and are they on the other side, the downward slope? Injuries, wear and tear, key players aging, expectations, too many games?
Can Arsenal take advantage? We’re still the outsiders, the media want Liverpool for Klopp, other football fans want City as it lessens their own clubs’ failures. Nobody wants Arsenal, except us.
Nobody wants Arsenal, except us.
Been there before haven’t we Kev ? When the Arsenal dressing room is strong this is where we come through and this is the first time that I believe we have that mental strength since the invincible team.
Morning Rico and all.
My daughter went to the game as a guest of Timber and his girlfriend and they were all alarmed that a section of the crowd booed Ramsdale at half time,that is not the Arsenal way.
You probably will preview the Porto game but Martinelli was still on crutches Saturday night so he must be a big doubt and he was a big miss on Saturday. Away goals rule helps us but I can see a pretty rough game and probably the same team that started against Brentford of course but with Raya though Jesus does well in Europe might start..
Another great result, done the hard way.
Brentford’s tactics were pathetic, but the ref bought them. Frank moaning about diving is hilarious considering he told his players to do just that for the whole match.
I know Ramsdale is a favourite of some on here, but that was a howler, which could have cost the match. That is the type of situation where Mik wants a bit more composure. It happened right in front of where I was standing, but I heard none of the Ramsdale booing that Kelsey alludes to (was that in the corporate freeloader seats?), just silent disbelief. The players did well to gee him up.
Havertz came up trumps again. His stats starting to look pretty good now. Ben White two assists, must be man of the match. Well played again.
Morning Rico and Co.
People forget that Arteta is still learning his trade, you only have to look at how long it took Guardiola to finally win the cup with big ears and that’s despite all the advantages he’s had.
The next step in Arteta’s graduation is progressing past Porto, more of a psychological barrier than a technical one. Porto will come to spoil, it’s the traditional way from that part of the world, but Arteta will have learnt from the 1st leg and Brentford provided just the warm-up act we needed in anticipation of a tense evenings work.
I don’t expect many, if any surprises tomorrow but the crowd will change the dynamic and should influence the officials when Porto start cheating, as they most certainly will.
Morning guys, there’s a new post up now.
Always thought the same Kev, billions of pounds spent yet it took his team yonks to win the CL. I detest Klopp and Liverpool but at least what they’ve won they’ve done it properly. Well, with a bit of help from the officials 😂
Pete, every goalkeeper has them in their locker. Look at Ederson yesterday yet he’s meant to be one best. Ultimately, his error gifted Liverpool a point.
Yes Potter we certainly have, but it makes it all the more sweeter when we win the bloody league.
Pete, my son sits, well stands at North Bank, by the corner flag to the right of the goal and yes there was no booing there as you allude to, proper fans.
I’ve read some right old nonsense about Ramsdale’s mistake tanking his value when we sell him!!!
Of course interested clubs aren’t going to be influenced by one mistake, you scout a player more than once, but it’s interesting because I don’t recall anyone piling onto the Liverpool goalkeeper after Martinelli’s goal a few weeks ago – double standards?
Who would’ve thought it?