Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Emirates Stadium this evening, just days after the Gunners secured a significant win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Following such a high-profile victory in midweek, expectations were naturally elevated for Arsenal to deliver a similarly convincing performance against Brentford. That sense of momentum was evident in the early stages, as they started strongly, full of confidence against a typically stubborn opponent.
Arsenal created early opportunities and looked determined to take the lead. One goal was ruled out for offside, a moment that highlighted their attacking intent and urgency. Despite their early dominance, they were unable to find the breakthrough, and Brentford began to grow into the match, creating some problems of their own during the first half. Nonetheless, it was Mark Flekken who had the busier evening between the two goalkeepers, with the Brentford shot-stopper called into action on multiple occasions.
Despite Arsenal’s pressure, the teams went into half-time goalless. The home side needed a response after the break, much like the one they produced in their European outing earlier in the week. That response came when Thomas Partey eventually found the net, finishing a move created by a well-timed pass from Declan Rice. The goal lifted the atmosphere and gave Arsenal a deserved lead.
However, the advantage was always going to be fragile without a second goal. Brentford refused to be discouraged and maintained their structure and attacking focus. Their persistence paid off when Yoane Wissa equalised, stabbing the ball home from close range to bring the visitors level.
The equaliser quietened the home supporters, but Arsenal continued to push forward in search of a winner. Despite their efforts and dominance in possession, they were unable to break Brentford down again. The match ended in frustration for the Gunners, who would have hoped to build on their impressive Champions League result with a victory at home.
Ultimately, it was a missed opportunity for Arsenal to capitalise on their strong form, as they were forced to settle for a single point in a tightly contested fixture.
Our premier league season in a nutshell. Brentford no real threat, take the lead and fail to win.. The changes in the second half, didn’t work. Taking Tierney off as a LB and bring MLS on as inverted opened that side right up.
MLS was awsome mate when he was on that pitch…..are you serious
Both could be true – MLS might have played well individually, but it might have been a bad tactical change.
Not sure he was awesome
We were 1-0 up when we came up and ended up drawing 1-1
As a lb how can that be awesome?
I am not blaming MLS, i am blaming his position as an inverted LB. We ne er had that problem with Tierney. Thats where the goal came from. MLS not at LB as per Arteta style.
Arteta saying, I will prove my point. Partey at RB works and so does an inverted LB😤 NO IT DOES NOT.
Arsenal are speeding to break their records for the number of drawn matches. 25 points dropped from draws alone will not make you Champions. Arsenal could win tonight only by outscoring because Brentford have strikers in Mbuemo or Wissa who can score out of nowhere. It has become Arsenal esque to discontinue and dump the euphoric momentum of fans. Tonight they made me flat and anxious of Wednesday.
Can’t have 25 points dropped from draws, it’s two points dropped each draw, makes 24
So disappointed. We got to turn our attention to the trip to the Spanish capital to face the reigning UCL champions. COYG!
Tierney should keep the LB slot against a marauding Madrid front line. MLS still has a lot to learn about the art of defending. Arsenal’s left side was left ajar for Brentford to attack and get their goal
?!!!
He was in the box because it was a corner. They played it short and we didn’t get enough people out to meet the ball – no reason to think that’s MLS’ fault specifically because his role was probably to stay in the box.
That tackle on Martinelli?
If it was the other way round certainly we would have been 10 men down
Definitely Golden. Since the early days of Wenger upto Arteta same old with ref bias. This is why Arsenal are better off with UCL where English refs do not have a chance to spoil Arsenal’s progress. Thanks Golden!
We are players short and need rest to 1st 11 still Butler-Oyedeji can’t get some minutes. Also why Risk Partey at RB. At this point what Arteta want to achieve. This guy never learns to rotate.
I had one eye on the game but with a much changed team and Wednesday to worry about it wasn’t much of a spectacle. With the league gone before kick off, it had the air of a match with little to play for towards the end of season but with much to gain in a few days time
Give credit where it’s due to our manager,league is done so resting
Some players was called for and I’m glad he done that so timber ,Odegaard and saka will be fresher for the onslaught that will undoubtedly come our way ,probably wouldn’t have brought them on at all .
Scored then made the subs straight away which for me was a mistake but it is what it is .
So, Arteta starts and plays people whom we can’t afford to miss the madrid match.
White picks up knock in practice.
Partey at rb again says it all, and Jorginho rib injury.
They are all a doubt for madrid now, AFC’s most important match in 20 years.
Arteta is writing his own epitaph.
Wouldn’t you say that it was just bad luck with White rather than point the finger at Arteta?
From another perspective, surely there has to be an element of respect for the league and for all the ticket holders who’ve parted with good money to go?
Are they playing football or wrestling in training? Merino damaged his shoulder, Kai damaged his hamstring, now Ben. Can all these be termed as “bad luck”?
Tell that to Mikel to respect ticket holders and hire proper players. Did the fans ask for Sterling? Or Calaufori Or GabJ? Typical of the fan club to blame everyone else other than the manager.
Every man and his dog knows we drop points when TP plays RB, yet he played again at RB and we dropped points. Well you may blame Raya’s socks color for the equalizer.
🙄
White just came off of knee surgery and we need him for madrid, after the madrid match play him.
league is dust in the wind, has been for a solid month.
Respect is getting to the CL final period as top 4 is good enough.
Respecting the league would be integrating you now, and resting or selling off our permanent crocks!
Aaron, so what would your starting 11 have been for yesterday’s game ?
Could have played MLS, youth, Zinc or even Tierney at rb, and or moved Declan to Partey’s place, you know the one we hired him to do, and move MLS to Declan’s place etc.
So, many options for Partey, Declan, and Saliba.
Arteta has known about CL schedule for 5 years, but he blows our players up in cup games, all of them, instead of picking one to go for, and never rotating our key players- like ever. You know the 3 that have had surgeries and are going to be out for months.
Does not even matter who started the game, it matters who we rested and finished the game with the ability to play against madrid and rested for maximum effort there, not Brentford for goodness sakes.
In a game that Arsenal were controlling, Arteta decides to take off Tierney and Zinchenko, why?.
They won’t be starting the Madrid game in midweek will they. So I don’t see the logic from that point of view.
I hope that Partey is okay Wednesday, because if he isn’t then Arteta will have a lot to answer for. Why Partey was in the starting line up is baffling at best.
even if we had issues at right back, I still would have looked at other options, a risk not worth taking on Partey in my opinion.
And as for Odegaard when he came on are you serious, We got worse not better. Now I never thought I would ever say this as I’m no Zinchenko fan. But to be fare to him, he is suited to the midfield than at left back. And I’d play him in front of Odegaard.
Odegaard offers nothing. People go on about he’s been injured, that was 6 months ago, and as for him becoming a Dad, so what he’s not the first and he won’t be the last player to become a Dad. Stop making excuses for him, he should not be club captain, and as for his influence on the team, what influence.
Do we really need to explain the selections and substitutions? Fitness issues. Tierney’s game time has been limited; so has Zinchenko’s. With our injury problems in defence who should have played at RB?
There’s nothing baffling about the choices that were made.
David,
I don’t care what you say regards Tierney and Zinchenko, I stand by my comments. They won’t start the game on Wednesday so with the team controlling the game, there was no need to take them off.
And as for Partey, knowing that he’s a bigger injury risk on past experience’s, I still maintain that I’d have looked for other solutions at right back.
I believe that Partey picked up an injury and had to come off. If he misses Wednesdays game, no doubt you’ll be the first one to come out and defend Arteta, something you always do.
And you never defend him Derek. Any sniff of a chance to have a go and bosh!
I just love the hypothetical cr@p. Zinchenko and Tierney COULD have been injured and been unable to come off the bench next week if needed. Nwanieri COULD slip in the shower and get concussion and it might mean that Saka is forced to play for 90 minutes or that Sterling could be recalled to save the day. All maybes and what ifs. What was your choice for RB under the circumstances?
There was no NEED or explanation why Tierney and Zinchenko had to come off for MLS and Odergaard. Plus, it didn’t work yesterday, doing it for the sake of it. The reason we are where we are in the league is failing to hold onto leads. Just like yesterday. Nothing to do with injury because we started with a so called weaker team and ended with a so called stronger one. That couldn’t do what the weaker one did.
Your opinion Reggie and as you have stated it didn’t work. It doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worth trying because it could have. It’s being wise after the event
There was no need, thats the whole point and ut didn’t work. Not opinion.
As I said
It could have so why was it wrong to give game time to all those going to Madrid?
The league was a dead rubber so the perfect opportunity to be competitive against Brentford without causing unnecessary over use of anyone who can put on an Arsenal shirt on Wednesday
SueP,
With all due respect, what absolute drivel. With Wednesday in mind Zinchenko and Tierney should have played the whole game. Arsenal were in complete control of the game, so there was no need to tinker with the team.
As for Partey being at right back, I note that David asks me who I would have played at right back. Well as we are out of contention for the League, I wouldn’t have been adverse to playing an academy player there.
With the performance that Partey put in against Real Madrid the other night, it was a no brainer to give him the day off. Although he’s been relatively injury free this season, his past record should always be in the back of Arteta’s mind. Now I hear that Partey is injured, and if he is that’s down to Arteta. Plain and simple.
And your darn right I won’t defend Arteta. When he takes stupid risks like he has with Partey he fully deserves the verbal bashing he will get, and yes I’ll be firmly at the front of the cue to give it to him.
I just hope that Partey’s alright for Wednesday, but it’s no thanks to Arteta.
No respect there Derek when you write, with respect and drivel in the same sentence
SueP,
I agree and I apologize, and retract that part of my post. 😉👍
Of course, you look for any chance to criticise. You have given no reasonable options for the RB position. There’s nothing inherently wrong in MLS and Odegaard playing for 15-20 minutes. And it has been a long time since ZInchenko and Tierney have each played a full match which is likely to have been factored into substitutions.
But it cost us the game David. It certainly didn’t make us any better. I am also sure all the players brought on, didn’t fancy a battle before next week. You never see the picture, only excuses for failure. That don’t wash.
Zincand and Tierney were playing ok, will not be playing next week. Why bring them off?
The only explanation I can offer is that Arteta wanted to give a bit of match practice for everyone who will be going to Madrid on Wednesday. I’m not saying his decision was right but that’s the best I can come up with. Ringing the changes to ensure some match practice wasn’t in itself a bad policy and must have given Arteta food for thought
The match yesterday was overshadowed by the CL and the fact that the EPL is over. It would imo be disrespectful to the league and the supporters to put out a severely weakened team
Precisely Derek. It just didn’t make sense and cost us AGAIN.
The league jug has long gone, it’s like no one really wanted it this season, Liverpool may have been a little surprised how easily it has fallen in their lap.
Having said that this game must have come as a massive distraction, my only concern was Partey massive involvement.
But maybe the gaffer wanted to maintain his winning stat, so it is what it is, now we must rest today and resume preparation for the Massive one on Wednesday
Injuries to Tomi, Calafiori, White and Gabriel and the failure to start KT more often has impacted on our season to the extent that we appear incapable of managing games and holding on to leads.The ultimate test will arise in the second leg against RM next week where we simply cannot afford to concede early or the roof could cave in.The match is far from over and I only hope Thomas Partey will be available ,for without his “presence” which matches that of any RM player, we may struggle to exercise the control we need.With regard to the Brentford result,while they are a very well organised ,spirited side I thought we deserved to win , but once again we conceded a “soft” goal which has been a characteristic of our season I’m afraid.
It’s okay. It’s not like we had all our best players out there and Liverpool have won the title
We need to concentrate
We have a great opportunity to get to the Semi-Finals
We need to concentrate on Real Madrid. It would be a major upset
Our defense needs to defend like their lives depend on it. And it would be nice to score first
COYG
That goal we conceded was so pathetic, given how we had failed from so many opportunities. I honestly thought that Saka was going to make it 2-1, no one I would’ve rather had on the ball at that moment in that position, but i guess he has had a long time out and he is just human, we tend to forget that.
My thought as well. Why not we see this typical own goal like injury in other clubs? It requires scrutiny. Thanks mate for adequately expressing my concern with practical examples.
When would be the time Saka scores that final decisive 1 goal which wins us the match? When Arsenal need 1 goal to win Saka never scores rather squanders chances as evidenced v Brentford. If you notice guys last season in our 1st leg match v Munich at Emirates, Saka was in a better position to score a sucker punch but rather he opted to win fake penalty which the ref ruled out and Arsenal finally drew that match. Since that match I studied the values of his goals in which if the score is tied 0-0 or 1-1 Saka could NOT give us that crucial goal that make Arsenal collect the 3 points. Same story yesterday when he dallied whether to shoot or not at end of the match. It could have been 2-1 winning the match. I wonder if he himself knows this shortcoming.
What gives anyone the assurance, Partey will perform well in the second leg?
What if the reason Partey has stayed fit, for this long is due to the fact that he’s now playing as a RB.
What if Partey didn’t play against Brentford and we lost 1-0?
What if Partey didn’t play against Brentford but got injured from the first minute against Madrid?
There you have it, Rowland – a load of what ifs and being apparently wise after the event
SueP,
Of course there are a lot of what if’s in Rowland’s post.
But there’s a better chance of Partey staying fit for the Madrid game if he was rested versus Brentford.
Why gamble with such a key player in your team, was it really worth it.
That is what’s called bad management, plain and simple.
Derek, Raya, Saliba, Kiwior and Rice will all be key players for the game in Madrid. Should Mikel have rested them as well ?
Herr Drier,
I hear what your saying. And no unfortunately we’re not in a position to rest all the big players, but in Partey’s case and with his injury record although it’s been better this season to be fare, it was bad management in my opinion to risk Partey in this particular game.
What game is bigger, Brentford or Madrid. It’s a no brainer.👍😉
Derek, any player can suffer an injury in any game. If Partey didn’t play on Saturday who would’ve played at RB ? If you say someone from the academy please say which one.
Herr Drier,
Josh Nichols could have played there on this occasion.
Yes I agree that any player can get injured. But all I’m saying is why gamble with Partey when you consider his track record overall. It was just not worth the risk in his case as far as I’m concerned.
Again I’ll ask the question, which game is the bigger one. Brentford or Madrid, I think you know the answer don’t you. 😉👍
Yet he wasn’t even on the bench Derek.
Every game from now on is a big game. For the glory, yes Madrid is big, as is, 🤞, winning the CL, but finishing in the top 4 is better financially.
Herr Drier,
The fact he wasn’t on the bench is down to Arteta, he was able to pick him if he wanted to. But decided to play Russian roulette with Partey instead.
To be honest I wouldn’t have cared less who played at right back in this particular fixture, just not Partey.
And as for the financial comment, the Brentford game was never going to effect a top four finish was it. If we can’t stay in the top four now for the rest of the season, then what’s that say about our team and manager, come on!.
Derek, it tells me that Mikel doesn’t think that JN is ready yet for the PL.
Iirc, coming second last season meant we earned about £8m more than the third placed club. Every penny counts when we need to pay the wages of whoever we sign this summer. Surely even you can acknowledge that 🤔
In certain circumstances red cards seen in domestic leagues, the resulting penalty to ban the player be made applicable starting from the next European matches. Mbappe saw red today v Alaves for a rash leg breaking foul. But he is going to play v Arsenal on Wednesday. The foul was too horrendous to let him play in the next Madrid game. Disadvantage Arsenal!
The milk was spilt a while ago and the fact that we can’t clinch games is down to being undermanned thanks to a two amateurish transfer windows. Amazingly we will most likely still manage to finish second during Liverpool’s perfect season where luck, an astute manager and no other team stepping up to challenge them all went their way. As for Arsenal’s injury woes, this is not normal. We saw bad seasons with Wegner regarding injuries but even within his shoe string budget in comparison, he was able to fill the team with players playing their correct positions, at least. I don’t have the medical evidence to back up my claim, but whether it’s the training or player management,something is not right this season.
Joe. S, players playing in the correct positions ? Gibbs, a left winger playing left back. Bendtner, a CF playing on the wing. Arsharvin a number 10 playing out wide on the left. Eboue, a right back playing in midfield.
Thanks for the reminder, H.D. I had forgotten what desperate times those were when Wegner had to really squeeze that lemon hard to get a team on the field. Bendtner on the wing. Oh my! If the glass were half full we could say Wegner was the original innovator of the ” inverted” and ” false” roles.
The 2024/5 EPL season dossier is closed even for the defiant looking Arteta! Signed sealed and delivered to Liverpool. Onto the UCL to valiantly withstand the inevitable onslaught of Real Madrid at the 1.5 billon redeveloped SB stadium. COYG!
This result does not bother me the slightest!
It’s all about Champs League right now.
COYG!
Kia,
Exactly. 👍👍👍👍👍😉
A reply to Herr Drier,
You talk about every penny counting and about needing the money to pay these so called star player’s we’ll be buying in the next window.
Well the clubs past record shows there complete lack of caring about every penny, how else do you explain the contracts that they gave to Nketiah and Nelson amongst others.
Derek, if the club hadn’t have resigned those players, they would’ve left on a free, and then we wouldn’t have got a penny for them. As it was, we made a profit on Nketiah, and will more than likely do the same with Nelson.
Herr Drier,
And what a mega deal they got from Palace, and I’m sure clubs will be cueing up for Nelsons services. 🤦♂️
Derek, £30m for a CF who struggles to find the net ain’t bad. Were you expecting us to get more for him ?