The narrowest of defeats on the road will be no consolation for Thomas Frank after battling Brentford did all but deny Arsenal their ascendency to the top of the Premier League table.
A 2-1 win for The Gunners, secured by Kai Havertz’s controversial 85th minute goal, saw them leapfrog both Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of their meeting at Anfield. The stay at the top, no matter how short, is Mikel Arteta’s to enjoy. Whatever.
For Brentford, the fact that Havertz was even on the pitch to finally break the resolute Bees’ back line is a matter of conjecture. That’s the polite word.
His second half dive – and there’s no other word for it – in the penalty box should have been more than sufficient to earn what would have been a second yellow card rather than the spot kick he was looking for. Neither were awarded, much to the incredulity of the Brentford players surrounding him. Instead, rather than a game of 10 v 11, he lived to fight another day and eventually popped up to nab that late, late strike to separate the two teams.
“Down goes Havertz – he seemed to be looking for that”. Not my words Susan, the words of commentator Guy Mowbray. Uttered as the incident played out in ‘real time’ and revealed on Sunday morning’s post-match play back of Match Of The Day.
When even Ian Wright, a man so intrinsically Arsenal I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s him as the current occupant of the Gunnersaurus costume, would use the subsequent dissection of the key incidents to agree then you know something is amiss. That’s another polite word. Let’s be honest, Havertz cheated.
If we’re spending too long on this it’s because it was key to the way the game would eventually play out. Arsenal utterly dominant for huge swathes of this one and looking for their eighth league win in a row. KLP forced to become the latest filling in at left wingback after Sergio Reguilon was ruled out with a minor hamstring injury. Albeit, Thomas would reveal at full time he should be available for the next game, our trip to Burnley.
The pressure was incessant. The opening goal one with a feeling of inevitability about it. Declan Rice’s header from a Ben White cross on 19 minutes leaving Flekken no chance and suggesting that a team who had scored 31 goals in the seven games prior would now look to open the floodgates. Instead, the opposite.
Despite the pressure, Brentford defended like Titans. Arsenal guilty of over passing and looking to walk it in rather than go more direct. Struggling to penetrate a deep defensive line for whom Vitaly Janelt, with Christian Norgaard an early casualty, was magnificent. They pushed, tipped, tapped, probed and teased but nothing. Nothing. Then, THE moment…
A pass back to Aaron Ramsdale in nets for Arsenal during first-half injury time saw the goalie under no pressure. Yet we’d seen in the reverse fixture at the Gtech how he was about as steady as a new born lamb with the ball at his feet and this was no exception.
Scenting blood in the water, Wissa charged through and as the ‘keeper dithered, the Bees’ man timed his interception to perfection. The ball was finally cleared straight into his path and returned with interest. A goal that brought as many laughs as roars of celebration from the travelling faithful.
1-1 at half-time. The interminable drumming silenced. The pathetic giant flags now left drooping. Hanging impotent. Much like the Gunners who could have been out of sight yet instead went in level.
The second period was much the same. The Bees with perhaps the clearer chances but Arsenal continuing do dominate possession. Ivan Toney caught one from distance first time that, standing behind the goal, veered from optimistic to a goal of the season contender. That is, until Ramsdale remembered he’s paid to keep them out and somehow scrambled to deny what would have been a thing of beauty.
The game continued. Arsenal in the ascendency but no way through. Brentford magnificent, holding back wave after wave of pressure. Penalty shouts against Mads Roerslev and then Nathan Collins (the Havertz dive) turned down. The home fans silent. Desperate. The Bees’ support cheering on the team and reminding Ramsdale that he was an inferior version of his replacement – It was noisy in our end but I think the words were along the lines of “a ship David Raya”.
It was he who was most relieved of all when Havertz finally, finally found the way through on 85 minutes. The turn and gesture said it all. The Arsenal fans then finding their voice and even started to sing in the 89th minute. 2-1 the score and there it stayed. Three points that saw them take the top spot. Brentford left empty-handed.
That’s football. It hurts. It feels rubbish. Arsenal are an amazing team so kudos to them for grinding out the win. In eventually breaking us down. Technically brilliant although tediously over-elaborate. They deserve better fans than silent flag wavers and tourists, that’s for sure. Brentford once more patched up yet coming so close to another stunning result. Once more left empty-handed and close to the bottom quarter of the table.
Any further discussion of the game can wait. For now, our regular look at the star player and top five. As always, we give five points for first, four for second place, three for third etc with the totals added up game by game to find an overall winner after game 38.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 28 (vs Arsenal)
1st (Star player: 5 points) – Vitaly Janelt
Here. There. Everywhere. The early departure of Christian Norgaard made Vitaly’s role even more crucial yet, as ever, he rose to the occasion.
Double the amount of tackles than anybody else in the Brentford team, he dominated the middle of the park. Not to mention putting himself about in the back line, too . No bad thing given how often Arsenal had the ball down our end yet were unable to make that fatal incision through a resolute rea-rguard action.
Another of those games where one can only marvel at transfer strategy that found him for peanuts yet has gone on to see Vitaly crash through the hundred game barrier and add a few ‘zeros’ to his value. Well played.
2nd (4 points) – Yoane Wissa
Let’s be honest, this was a game played down ‘the other end’. Arsenal having enjoyed 72% possession and 17 attempts at goal when the final whistle blew.
So it was essential we had an outlet to try and relieve that pressure. A man to keep on running at, and through, our hosts whenever possible. A man with the presence of mind and composure to be there when the opportunity presented itself.
His equaliser was all down to blood and guts determination. To self-belief. To knowing his enemy. It was THE moment of the game for Brentford and after a team performance where there were such fine margins between all who made the top five, it was sufficient to grant him a third, successive ‘four pointer’ in our chart.
If Mark Flekken and his defence were a brick wall down one end, Ramsdale was as useful as a wall of vape smoke down the other. When the crucial chance came, it was Wissa who blew him away.
3rd (3 points) – Keane Lewis-Potter
KLP’s selection was one of those pre-game moments where a supporter’s selection and that of the head coach remains as vastly different as ever. In a season where we‘ve had more at left back than Burnley have had wins, his was the latest name added to the role of honour.
The second injuries were revealed, the gut screamed that it should have been Vitaly filing this position instead of Sergio / Aaron / Rico / Saman. Something he has, of course, done on more than a few occasions this campaign. Instead, KLP was drafted in from his emergency role on the right to this emergency role on the left.
To quote the late, great Brue Forsyth – didn’t he do well? There aren’t too many players with the confidence to go up against Bukayo Saka. Somebody who, and say this in hushed tones, we could only admire when he was on the ball. Yet KLP did wonderfully. His calmness allowing Vitaly to fill that crucial midfield berth.
4th (2 points) – Mads Roerslev
What KLP did on the left, Mads did on the right. He was instrumental in the first few minutes when his timely interception presented what looked certain to be a glorious chance at goal for the Arsenal.
His game built from there. Not only in stemming the incessant build-up play but with the Bees under the most intense pressure, playing down the flanks in search of Wissa or Ivan. Mads and KLP were both instrumental in Brentford trying to swim against the tide.
5th (1 point) – Nathan Collins
He has had his moments in recent games but I thought he was great on Saturday. The TV cameras, and Thomas Frank, would both pick up his second half header at 1-1 that Ramsdale would somehow claw away. It was so close to giving us the lead but, in truth, I was more impressed by his consistency at the back.
Every time there was a crucial challenge – and there were plenty – it seemed to be Nathan getting in the way. There he was again and again. The number 22 shirt conspicuous by it’s ongoing presence in the heart of the action.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 28)
All of which means no changes to the top five although KLP leads the chasing pack. He’s now just one point behind fifth placed Mark Flekken with Vitaly Janelt and Wissa amongst those making a late run.
With just ten games to go, there’s everything to play for.
1st – Christian Norgaard (43 points)
2nd – Ethan Pinnock (37 points)
3rd – Bryan Mbeumo (31 points)
4th – Mathias Jensen (28 points)
5th – Mark Flekken (26 points)
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