Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal are via to the fourth spherical of the EFL Cup after an entertaining, if arduous fought, 1-0 win over Brentford final evening.
Mikel Arteta made loads of modifications with some regulars within the again 4, Aaron Ramsdale returning in aim, Emile Smith Rowe beginning his first sport since Might 2022, and a debut for 19 12 months previous winger Charles Sagoe Jr. Brentford had a few key gamers lacking however put out a reasonably robust aspect, so I assumed our first half was fairly pleasing.
We ended it having had 65% possession, and plenty of the ball of their half. We had some moments the place issues didn’t fairly come off proper on the key second. We noticed flashes of what Smith Rowe can deliver, with some pretty mixtures and direct operating, whereas Eddie Nketiah nearly bought on the top of/labored some taking pictures positions. It was the striker who made our aim early on, a mistake on the again from Brentford noticed him get behind their defence, and whereas I assumed he would shoot, he pulled it again for Reiss Nelson who completed calmly contained in the publish to make it 1-0.
Smith Rowe went on a run which noticed the keeper deny him with save, what a solution to mark his return that will have been, whereas on the different finish Yoane Wissa blazed Brentford’s finest probability of the half large.
The second half was loads totally different although. Though we nonetheless had extra possession, Brentford have been loads higher and performed with much more depth. The stats bear it out, that they had 15 makes an attempt on aim in that second interval, and it required us to defend extraordinarily properly. Ramsdale made one glorious fingertip save which noticed Wissa’s shot crack again off the publish, there have been blocks galore, not least an unbelievable one when Jakub Kiwior’s arse was the distinction between 1-0 and 1-1, and the strain was nearly relentless at one level.
To be truthful to Mikel Arteta, he recognised that and made modifications, bringing on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus for White and Sagoe Jr. Very shortly afterwards it in all probability ought to have been 2-0 when Kai Havertz bought down the left and performed a pleasant ball to Nelson, however his left footed shot curled simply exterior the publish. Eddie confirmed unbelievable tempo to poke a shot on the keeper, however Brentford labored the channels, understanding they might go full Delap and lash in a load of lengthy throws after they bought into our half.
The defensive stats inform fairly a narrative from this sport, while you see them laid out. Takehiro Tomiyasu made 6 clearances, and blocked 3 pictures; Gabriel made 9 clearances; I discussed Kiwior’s blocked shot, however the stand out metric from him was his safety on the ball, making 71 passes at left-back with a completion of 93% (solely Jorginho made extra passes).
It wasn’t simply the defenders although. Reiss Nelson put in a superb shift, working arduous to chase again in large areas; Jorginho made 7 tackles and three interceptions; and Havertz had 4 tackles and 5 clearances to his identify as his peak in our field was very helpful at occasions.
Afterwards, Arteta mentioned of the second half:
It’s a whole lot of duels, then it’s free kicks, it’s lengthy throws, it’s a must to defend each time, deliver all people again and attempt to get out and win territory from there and they’re actually good at that. Once we don’t play that properly, you’ll want to have some massive defensive moments and we had that, some massive blocks within the field and Aaron making an enormous save as properly.
Brentford huffed and puffed however they weren’t allowed blow our home down, and the sport completed 1-0. I feel it was a little bit churlish of Thomas Frank to say we bought ‘very fortunate’ on this one. It’s by no means simple for a supervisor after they lose, and there are video games when it’s a must to maintain your palms up and say ‘I don’t know how we bought away with that one’, however this wasn’t a type of. As I’ve identified, the standard and dedication of Arsenal’s defending was the distinction after we’d gone forward, and on that foundation I don’t suppose there’s something fortunate about it.
Was it good? No, nonetheless I feel Mikel Arteta will likely be very happy with the evening’s work. As he mentioned beforehand, it was a chance for some gamers who haven’t performed loads, and I feel nearly all of them did very properly. Ramsdale made good saves and was sharp together with his passing; Kiwior was glorious; Jorginho, Smith Rowe and Nelson all had good video games, and Eddie was loads higher up high final evening than he was within the derby.
I’ve to present a particular point out to Tomiyasu although, he was my man of the match, and final evening was a reminder simply how good a participant he’s. Funnily sufficient, contemplating centre-half is his place within the Japan nationwide aspect, this was the primary time he has ever began a sport for Arsenal there, and he was glorious. His versatility was evident too, as he went to right-back when Ben White went off, then again into the center once more for the ultimate jiffy. He all the time appeared to be in the precise place to make the block or get the ball away.
So, when a supervisor is in search of his ‘fringe’ gamers to play properly, I feel he bought that from final evening’s efficiency, and that may solely be factor when he reveals afterwards he’s bought 7 injured gamers again at London Colney. What number of of them will likely be out there for the weekend we’ll have to attend and see, however there needs to be loads of encouragement from what we noticed final evening.
Proper, that’s it for this morning. We’ll an Arsecast for you a little bit afterward at this time, so hold a watch out for that.
Have one.
