A 2-0 defeat for Brentford at Arsenal was one that surprised few although, in the end, was perhaps closer than the final scoreline suggested. Here are Nick’s player ratings.
Bukayo Saka doubling the lead during time added on as the ball almost stayed out but even had that happened, the game was already gone. A much-changed Brentford line-up from that which had swept aside Burnley, only managing one real chance all night – a magnificent header from Kevin Schade. The German’s connection with Vitaly Janelt’s first-half corner looked about as perfect as they come. His header accurate, powerful and speeding towards a certain goal.
Certain, that is, but for David Raya. The goalkeeper showing yet again why Arsenal were prepared to wave the chequebook at Matthew Benham – albeit the £27million now looking an absolute bargain – as he pulled off a stunning point-blank save. The lightest of touches with his fingertips sufficient to divert the ball onto the bar and back out to safety rather than see it flying into the back of the net. Catlike reactions and the chance gone.
Sadly, that was as good as it got. Containment and ‘not losing’ (players or the match) seemingly the approach as Keith Andrews chose to leave Igor Thiago, Mikel Damsgaard, Nathan Collins and Jordan Henderson on the bench. Aaron Hickey not even making the matchday squad.
The formation changed to 5-3-2 with no natural front man – was I alone in having nightmares about Loftus Road all over again? A defensive shape employed that only invites the opposition to come onto us. A team that was made up largely of squad players who probably look amazing together in training, but would have had little time to gel in the environment of an actual game.
It was a selection that had three games in eight days and going full tilt at Tottenham on Saturday written all over it. Utilising the squad to the maximum over what is a relentless sequence of fixtures during December. At the same time, one can’t help but admit feeling as though any attempt to win this had been reduced the second the team was named. No matter how bullish Keith was about his trust in the squad.
You know what? I don’t envy him one bit having that decision to make. He had a tough call and went for the long-term approach. Even at full strength, winning this one in the belly of the league leaders was always going to be a task of Herculean proportions. Say what you want about Arsenal and Arteta, but they are bang on it at present.
Keith very much playing percentages. Nobody wants players dropping like flies through over-use whilst those that came in are all amongst those we’ve celebrated over the years – the likes of Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock, Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt all making what are now rare starts.
It was perhaps more that the team felt devoid of attacking potential when it was named. With respect to those picked in lieu, we all know about the goal threat of Thiago or the supply lines from Damsgaard & Henderson. Instead, these were all kept in reserve with the replacements always going to be up against it to replicate these phenomenal standards against the most in-form team in the land.
Something that aside from a series of corners was proven over the course of a game that Arsenal showed no sign of relinquishing after taking the lead just 11 minutes in. Mikel Merino getting on the end of Ben White’s cross from the right and it was 1-0.
The goal flags waved. The artificial atmosphere fabrication being cranked to the max with the supporter drums pounding away. Likewise, the game beginning with a harrowing rendition of the turgid song that has been trotted out prior to kick-off in the last couple of seasons as though it is some ancient hymn steeped in history yet, we all know, only appeared in 2022. Hey Jude or You’ll Never Walk Alone, it ain’t.
Give me the gimmick-free Gtech anytime. No flags. No instruments. No goal music. No fake historical songs. Fans close to the pitch and the home support giving it their all. The only things in common – cuddly mascots aside – being the relentless form of the home team.
As Saka’s late, late goal set off those interminable flags once more, the feeling of early afternoon optimism finally congealed into the inevitable certainty of another away defeat. The pilgrimage of optimism undertaken up the Piccadilly with thoughts that it would be our first win in this part of North London had transformed into a familiar trudge back by the return journey.
It’s Brentford, innit? A phrase perhaps not so well known by those who have jumped on the Brentford express in recent years but for those longer standing passengers, a phrase that has never felt truer. Even if it is one that gets aired less and less these days.
And? Personally speaking this one was always about as tough as they come so I can’t be overly upset. Let’s take comfort in the fact that at least Brentford have a squad to draw on – something that couldn’t be said in days gone by – although the lack of alternate attacking options does cause concern.
I’d love us to have gone full-tilt and played for the win but there’s no point crying over what might have been. Let’s look forward to what would be as sweet as it comes should The Bees pull one off at Tottenham on Saturday when, surely, everybody will be back in our 4-3-3.
Besides, this sequence of fixtures always proves a major headache for managers. The results for other clubs showing this, with Man City edging it 5-4, Aston Villa 4-3 and even Leeds United winning (not a typo) as Chelsea were put to the sword. Brentford had to try and adapt – a task made all the harder by the respect shown in Arteta’s line-up. Not even Christian Norgaard getting a sentimental run out as he kept things full strength.
We digress. Let’s cut to the chase of our usual game-by-game search for the top five players of the season. As always, five points being awarded for the star player, four for second place, three for third etc. with the totals added up game-by-game to see who ends up the eventual winner after game 38.
1st (5 points) Caoimhín Kelleher Cracking from Caoimhín. Powerless to stop the first goal. Almost kept the second one out. Frankly, it was thanks to him that Brentford stayed in the game all the way until the very end. At 1-0 down, there was always the chance the Bees might nick something off a backside in a crowded penalty area but without our ‘keeper, the game would have been long-since dead and buried.
Pulled off a whole series of smart stops, the second half-especially although not confined to that period, to frustrate the home support and keep our own pulse beating. It would have been an even tougher night given the rejigged backline playing ahead of him but he made it look natural.
Well played and hard lines.
2nd (4 points) Rico Henry. There was no Aaron Hickey on Wednesday, but Rico grabbed the chance when handed back the position in which he had once been untouchable.
It was clearly part of the Arsenal game plan to attack down the right. Whether this was simply fear of Kayode or looking to exploit a perceived weakness, the intent was obvious.
Whilst it worked once in creating the assist for their opener, the ongoing attempts were thwarted by vintage Rico. The more they pushed, the more he pushed back. Madueke in particular denied a certain goal-scoring opportunity as Rico gave Keith a genuine selection challenge for Saturday’s trip to Spurs.
3rd (3 points) Kris Ajer. I’m way happier to see Kris back in the middle rather than the left. He’s had a good season but always looks even stronger the further right he moves.
On a night when The Bees remained under the cosh all game, he at least tried to bring the ball forward. Tried to push through the colander in the middle of the field. It was clearly part of Keith’s game plan to use him as much to defend as to build play.
4th (2 points) Sepp van den Berg. Solid, solid, solid again. That the entire top five comes from the backline shows the trend of a night where Arsenal ended the game with almost two-thirds possession.
That they were unable to do more with this was down to the resolute Bees’ defence, of which Sepp was a strong as anybody. His pass count was the highest in the Brentford line up which as much tells the story of the evening as anything else.
5th (1 point) Michael Kayode. What Rico did on the left, he did on the right. Like Kris, tried to bring the ball into play and those throws aside, he had most deliveries into the box. Something all the more important given the lack of danger man Damsgaard for most of the game.
All of which means minimal change in our search to find the Brentford star player of the season. Michael Kayode moving one point further ahead of a chasing pack which remains the same.
- 1st Michael Kayode – 35 points
- 2nd Igor Thiago – 26 points
- 3rd = Jordan Henderson – 23 points
- 3rd = Mikkel Damsgaard – 23 points
- 5th Yehor Yarmoliuk – 17 points
