Football

2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 13

by
Nick Bruzon
November 27, 2023

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Like last month’s game at Old Trafford, Brentford fans experienced the pain of last-minute defeat when, in truth, at times it felt as though all three points were coming our way.

If anything, this one hurt even more given how well The Bees played. How strong Thomas Frank’s rejigged line up looked in matching formidable opponents as the ongoing injury crisis bit even deeper.

We already knew Nathan Collins was going to miss out but the reveal of the team prior to kick off showed Mads Roerslev and Mathias Jensen also amongst the absentees.

Yehor Yarmoliuk and Saman Ghoddos were drafted in. The former has more than impressed from the bench so far and there was real intrigue as to how well he would perform. Not just in his first start but as much given how the visitors knew they’d go top with a win. Saman meanwhile, causing questions as to where he would start. Further forward or right back as part of a five-man defence?

The answer – demonstrated in emphatic style within the first minute – was very much the later. A crunching interception in front of the South stand showing he wasn’t here just to make up the numbers. Boom.

The crowd, already up for it, were lifted even higher. The noise rousing and the Bees driving forward. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale struggling under the pressure as every ball played to his feet caused panic in the Arsenal defence.

“If Wissa pulls his finger out of his backside and pressures Ramsdale more, he could be in trouble ” one North stand observer opined. Within moments, it happened.

An Arsenal place kick was passed sideways to the ‘keeper rather than played forward. Wissa charged in and England’s number 4 (as the home support took great pleasure in reminding him all game) could only dither. Wissa could have shot but opened up Bryan whose goal bound effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Declan Rice. The rebound then steered just wide.

It felt an ‘if only’ moment but the Bees continued to push. Continued to apply the pressure. Continued to clear with consummate ease when the ball came down the other end.

Ramsdale, meanwhile, continuing to suggest there was an easier way than normal into this game. One attempted throw out causing hoots of derision as it went further downwards than it did forwards. If Mikel Arteta was under any doubt as to whether he should make David Raya’s loan signing a permanent one, the question was being answered in emphatic style.

Yet, equally, if we are being honest then chances were at a premium in an otherwise exciting game, where the midfield battle was key. Arsenal running down the clock at every available opportunity in an attempt to stifle the flow. Referee Tim Robinson heavy on the chat but light on the yellow card action that was supposed to accompany such delaying tactics.

Arsenal had heir own ‘if only’ moment just prior to half-time when Leandro Trossard found the back of the net. The chants of “We are top of the league” from the away support proving to be somewhat premature as the diminutive front man was shown to be ahead of the line when the ball was played forward. VAR ruining Arteta’s day, again.

The second half continued in similar style. Arsenal on top – statistically – and not giving an inch but Brentford looking more likely to score. Bryan coming close. Then a superb run and pass from Ghoddos was hit first time from distance by Yarmoliuk but, for once, Ramsdale was able to gather easily.

Then, with the clock running down, Neal Maupay came closest of all. His header from a Mbeumo cross seemed destined for the bottom corner. That is until Zinchenko pulled off Arsenal’s second game saving goal line clearance of the evening. So near yet, so far…

With the game seeming as though it would end all square, that moment of gut-wrenching heartbreak. Less than sixty seconds of regulation time remained when Saka’s wonderfully placed cross from the right plopped on to the head of Kai Havertz. Ghoddos, for once, edged out and the net rippled.

The Arsenal fans woke up. There was no reprieve from VAR this time. The paltry four minutes of time then added on insufficient for The Bees to mount any last gasp rescue.

Arsenal fighting tooth and nail all game to eventually go top of the league. Brentford taking the plaudits but, alas, not the points.

Instead, we can take heart in a performance that once again highlighted the versatility of Thomas Frank’s squad and look ahead to the next game – Saturday’s visit from Luton Town. Before then, we have the top five performance review. The quest to find our overall player of the season with five points being awarded for every ‘star player’ award, four for second place, three for third etc and then the totals counted up over the course of the 38 games.

It was another game with multiple possibilities for selection – eleven in to five just won’t go – but after careful deliberation, my personal take is as follows.

2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 13 (vs Arsenal)

1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Christian Norgaard
It was one of those games packed full of Christian’s understated brilliance. I honestly don’t recall him putting a foot wrong as he bossed the middle of the park.

We’ve seen him do this so many times before but it was the game which had everything from him – aside from a goal and even then, there was chance in the first half. There were the driving runs. The blocks. The tackles (of which he seemed to outmuscle everyone on the pitch and which subsequent countback on the stats confirms).

As the only one of our regular midfield trio, he was ably supported (as the rest of the top five will bear out) yet it was still his which – at least in yours truly’s eyes – was the stand out on the night.

2nd (4 points) – Frank Onyeka
That said, Frank ran Christian awfully close. He threw his body in front of everything and everyone over the course of 90 minutes that only saw him switched out (for KLP – hey, somebody is back from injury) at the last knockings.

I thought his presence was huge and he seemed to be everywhere, always, all at once. Frank’s ability to win the ball, then turn defence in to attack was absolutely vital in our endeavours.

A couple of mistimed moments were probably the difference between him and the top spot but, even so, ‘The Tank’ still did more than enough to lock up second place.

3rd (3 points) – Ethan Pinnock
And again, Ethan’s name appears in the top five. No Nathan Collins? No problem.

Central defence is the one area where Brentford are truly blessed yet Ethan still dominates whomever he is alongside or against.

We all know what Ethan does on his day – which seems to be most of them at present. This was more of the same and sometimes, no other words are needed. Quite simply, it was another classic Pinnock performance.

4th (2 points) – Yehor Yarmoliuk
Oohh, he looks good. So good. We’d seen it from those brief cameos but now here was the first opportunity for an extended run. The tactic of integrating players into the side via the B team and then the bench has produced another star in the making.

This was no baptism of fire. Instead, despite the calibre of the opposition – who gave no quarter and made space so tight – he looked as natural and confident as anybody out there. Touch, pass, move, tackle. Whatever he did was lovely.

With Thomas confirming that Mathias has a minor adductor strain so should be back for the Luton game, we now have the tantalising prospect of seeing them both together. Not to mention the loveliest of midfield selection headaches!

5th (1 point) – Saman Ghoddos
As ever, fifth place seeing the toughest of choices on an afternoon of all-round team performance. Vitaly was wonderful as were Kris Ajer and especially Ben Mee. I also though Mark Flekken was looking stronger – especially his electing to catch under pressure rather than punching at everything.

In the end though, it goes to Saman. Talk about fish out of water yet, like Yehor, looking as though he had played there for years. From the aforementioned opening minute, it was apparent that Thomas had made the right call.

Saman’s enthusiasm, drive and refusal to panic against opposition looking to go top of the table were paramount to Brentford staying in this for so long and almost taking the points ourselves.

Alas, he was the unfortunate player in the wrong place when the deadlock was eventually broken but let’s put that down as much to Saka’s perfectly weighted cross.