Result: Arsenal 3 – 1 Brentford
Competition: Carabao Cup
Date: 26 September 2018
Venue: The Emirates Stadium
Arsenal go through to the next round of the Carabao Cup with a win over Brentford at home. They were bright in the first half, leading 2-0, but allowed Brentford to get back into the game with a free kick midway through the second half. It was a nervy match from then on as Brentford raised the tempo but Arsenal substitute, Lacazette, scored in injury time to provide some much needed relief to Arsenal fans watching.
ARSENAL STARTING XI
The Arsenal team: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Holding, Mustafi, Monreal, Guendouzi, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Welbeck
Subs: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Holding, Mustafi, Monreal, Guendouzi, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Welbeck
0′ – EYES ON SMITH ROWE
Just like with the Europa League, it’s another fairly experienced B team on the pitch with a young Emile Smith Rowe playing in midfield. He’s impressed in pre-season so we’re hoping he can seize his chance in the cups. Arsenal also welcome back Arsenal old boy, Nico Yennaris who captains the Brentford side.
1′ – LENO MISTAKE
A routine back pass to Leno almost turns into a nightmare as the ‘keeper mishandles the ball when receiving it to feet. The ball spins past his feet and looks like it was headed for the goal but slowly rolls out for a corner. Are all the ‘keepers this anxious on the ball?
4′ – ⚽ WELBECK SCORES! ARSENAL 1 – 0 BRENTFORD
Mkhitaryan plays a short corner to Guendouzi. The young Frenchman crosses in for Danny Welbeck who nods in a free header. A dream start for the Arsenal.
6′ – SMITH ROWE GOES CLOSE
The youngster latches on to a lobbed ball to spring past a Brentford high line. Unfortunately, he only manages to shoot into the side netting.
8′ – ELNENY THE PRESSING AGENT
Elneny is instigating the press for the team albeit from a deeper position. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. Welbeck and Iwobi have also been active in the press and have been playing at a good intensity.
14′ – HOLDING BLOCK
A chipped ball over the Arsenal defence leaves the team scampering but Holding gets back just in time to block a shot on goal by Watkins.
17′ – MKHITARYAN MISS
A one-two between Mkhitaryan and Iwobi sees the former shin the ball when trying to receive the ball at pace. A better first touch would have seen the Armenian through for a second goal of the match.
18′ – PENALTY CALL
Iwobi receives a tackle in the box but calls for a penalty is waved off. Unlucky.
25′ – GUENDOUZI INJURY SCARE
The young Frenchman looks to have twisted his ankle in an awkward challenge with Yennaris. He walks quite gingerly after wincing in pain on the ground.
27′ – YELLOW CARD LICHTSTEINER
The Swiss international goes into the book for a cynical push on Canos in a duel for the ball.
34′ – HOLDING BAILS OUT MUSTAFI
Mustafi falls too easily while jockeying his opponent and allows him to go through on goal. Holding swoops in to provide the block as the last man.
35′ – YELLOW CARD, KONSA
The Brentford man trips Lichtsteiner to earn himself a yellow.
36′ – ⚽ WELBECK WITH A SECOND! ARSENAL 2 – 0 BRENTFORD
A beautiful team goal starts with some passes from deep. Mkhitaryan receives the ball deep in his half and dances past Brentford players before passing to Iwobi who slips in an overlapping Monreal. Monreal then squares it to an unmarked Welbeck who taps in for a simple finish.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 2 – 0 BRENTFORD
Arsenal lead thanks to 2 goals by Danny Welbeck. The team has looked bright throughout and are deserving of the lead. The double pivot in midfield has also been industrious with Elneny coordinating the play in the centre very well.
46′ – SO CLOSE FOR WELBECK
Iwobi snuck past his defender to pull in a low cross for Welbeck. A last ditch cross by a Brentford defender denies Welbeck from a hat-trick.
47′ – MKHITARYAN CHANCE
Lichtsteiner lobs a ball in after a short corner was played. Mkhitaryan times his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and receive the ball. His attempt on goal is saved by the ‘keeper.
49′ – IWOBI GOES CLOSE
More scintillating build up play by the game. Iwobi receives the ball just outside the penalty box and lashes it on goal. The shot goes just over the bar. Arsenal have turned up the pressure in the second half.
51′ – BRENTFORD CHANCE
Canos finds some space outside the penalty box and shoots for the corner but it goes just wide.
53′ – SMITH ROWE CROSS/SHOT
Another good break by Arsenal. Smith Rowe is in acres of space on the left but his indecision to either cross or shoot results in neither as he skies it for a goal kick.
57′ – ⚽ GOAL BRENTFORD
Guendouzi concedes a needless free kick outside the penalty box. Judge scores a delightful curler from the free kick to get back into the game.
58′ – CANOS GOES CLOSE
The winger finds space on the inside left and goes close with his attempt. Arsenal are rattled and have lost some of their shape and composure. The momentum is with Brentford.
62′ – YELLOW CARD, WELBECK
A poor tackle by Welbeck as he swipes at air when trying to win back the ball. Mike Dean sees it as a dangerous tackle and books the striker.
63′ – SUBSTITUTION
Lacazette comes on for Smith Rowe. Emery is looking to put this game to bed.
65′ – BRENTFORD CHANCE
Judge attempts another shot from the outside of the box but Leno saves comfortably. Brentford are starting to find gaps in the Arsenal final third.
70′ – MONREAL HEADER SAVED
A brilliant reflex save by Brentford ‘keeper, Daniels, to keep out a Monreal header from close range.
75′ – SUBSTITUTION
Torreira comes on for Mkhitaryan in an attempt to beef up the midfield. This sees Elneny pushed forward.
76′ – BRENTFORD CHANCE
Brentford shifts the ball nicely around the Arsenal third. Barbet strikes from distance but Leno saves the attempt.
80′ – OOOHHH
Lichtsteiner shoots from distance but it hits Lacazette on route to goal. Elneny picks up the rebound but his cross is blocked for a corner.
83′ – SUBSTITUTION
Aaron Ramsey comes on for Elneny.
86′ – LACAZETTE FIRES WIDE
A flurry of one-twos between Lacazette and Ramsey ends with the Frenchman shooting far and wide under pressure by a Brentford defender.
88′ – CALLS FOR PENALTY
Barbet falls around the edge of the box when sandwiched between 2 Arsenal defenders. He calls for a penalty but it’s not given.
90 + 3′ – ⚽ LACAZETTE! ARSENAL 3 – 1 BRENTFORD
A late skirmish finds Lacazette sealing the win with a stoppage time strike. He has been poor since coming on but his superior talents help put the game to bed.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 3 – 1 BRENTFORD
The second half was a much nervier affair with Brentford equalizing through an excellent free kick. The away team had their tails up and made it tough for Arsenal but the Gunners held out for a win and even scored in injury time. On to the next round.
Great fluidity and control in the first half but completely lost our rhythm once they scored; we really shouldn’t be shaken so easily. Otherwise, well done boys!
My Brentford season ticket holder friend said 3-0 to us. Close but a clean sheet too much to hope for…
I´m quite liking this string of wins
Anyone know when was the last time we won 6 in a row?
So now we play well in the first half and not the second?
Winning is a good habit. I like it.
Good to see Kolasinac back involved. Means we can start resting Nacho in the Europa with him fit.
Who’s gonna be first to trot out the old ‘if Welbeck can learn to finish consistently he would be a great player’ cliche again ????
He is a great squad player
He absolutely is….let’s just value what he does bring & enjoy when he does score.
He’s been scoring quite regularly to be fair
Also very underrated aerial power
I was surprised his chin was not involved in this goal
A scoring MACHINE!
Welbeck is the perfect sub if you are winning narrowly. He is disciplined, helping defensivly and can score from time to time. I don’t see him renewing though…
He has never complained once and cannot see any reason why he wouldn’t accept a new contract if it was offered to him. An underrated player who rarely lets us down. So unfairly criticised.
Happy he did well, but a little sad not to see Eddie at any point.
Agree that we were very fluid, but Iwobi and Mhiki looked lost at times.
Credit to Brentford for putting us under so much pressure, they clearly identified Holding as a weak link and made him wobble a bit – which I think is a shame as he’s done well this season.
Oh well, 3-1 win And 3 goals for our strikers!
i think Iwobi was good going forward and also won the ball back a few times, and ran with a lot of energy.. inspiring games from him lately
I’ll admit that Henrikh was a little inconsistent, but he was more consistent than not. Iwobi was great throughout. Seems like you’re picking on the wrong two guys.
so he was inconsistently consistent?
consistent in patches
Downvotes I can understand given my negativity, but please can someone explain why im wrong about any of Iwobi, Mhikitayran or Holding?
The former thinks he’s faster than he is, the latter was being reprimanded by Lichensteiner, Elneny and Mustafi throughout, while Mhikitayran was admittedly involved in both goals but disappeared at times.
Would welcome a contrasting view.
I want to publicly apologize to Emery. I vehemently disagreed with Cech being the #1 goalkeeper. I also apologize to Cech for doubting his abilities. I’m now 100% convinced Emery made the right decision with the goalkeeping situation.
Yeah I think Leno could have done a bit better with that free kick.
Based on one mistake? I too have been impressed with Cech but do we constantly have to jump from one extreme position to another?
Of course
“do we constantly have to jump from one extreme position to another?”
Yes, we do. We’re arsenal fans, that’s what we do
Football fans, not Arsenal fans.
Ha, fair enough. Let’s give Leno a few games before writing him off though.
I just think Leno is too small to command the box. Maybe it’s because I’m used to seeing Cech, but Leno looks really tiny in the net…doesn’t look imposing at all.
Spot on, Bro. Leno needs to learn from the master himself, Cech.
No idea what Ramsay was trying to do for lacas goal
Ramsey
Positives – Danny’s a really good player to have as a 3rd choice striker and Monreal looks solid as usual. Iwobi seems to be thriving a lot under Emery and he looks a different player this season. Sharp and powerful. Disappointments – Elneny. Thought he played well in the first half and guided the midfield strongly but faded when Brentford cranked up the pressure after their goal. Made some poor decisions in attack. Was really rooting for him especially with that strong first half. A mixed bag – Guendouzi’s technical ability and confidence is fantastic for someone so young though… Read more »
Ooohh and Holding had a decent game too. I would prefer him to Mustafi for a starting spot with Sokratis.
Mustafi is a liability
i thought guendouzi did well. but youre spot on about elneny. i dont know if it was because of the pairing of elneny and guendouzi or just elneny alone we didint had much control of the midfield and elneny looked completelyout of control at times
Guendouzi looked knackered in the latter stages of the match. I was suprised elneny came off instead of him, although he did do a good job today overall.
Notice we seemed less vulnerable the moment Torreira came on. The guy just has such smart positioning, he boosts Arsenal’s defensive security 20% when he’s out there – in my opinion.
Re: CM vs DM, seems to be the case for all our midfield players except Torreira.
Either way, we don’t play any CM at all. Emery has clearly set up a double DM pivot on a 4231 or 4222. That became evident when Torreira came in and he pushed Elneny up the 10 role – certainly for his pressing ability – instead changing to a 4141 like AW used to do.
In the 2nd half Arsenal were comprehensively outplayed by Brentford at home. Is this cause for concern?
It only *felt* like they’d equalized, they didn’t actually 😛
It’s mkhitaryan not mhkitaryan
My bad! Edits made.
It’s Pedant, not Vedant.?
Second goal was Emeryball… Delightful buildup.. I think I had an orgasm watching that.. And yeah I know its only Brentford but still…
Payoff from playing from the back?
Brentford pressed high up the pitch, Matteo back pass to Leno, who sent it to Lichtsteiner (50/50), Mkhi won the second ball and there was Brentford open wide.
Props to the beautiful execution.
Agree that was lovely! But Mkhi’s decisive and skillful shift into second gear in the buildup to the second goal was much more than just “winning the second ball”.
Should be pushing for a start in the league along with Iwobi and Welbeck.
Lacazette is our most natural finisher since Henry. The guy is world class in front of goal.
Yep I loved his goal today. The way he brushes those two players off…”out the way lads, apologies but I’ve just got to stick this in the back of the net”
Mkhi is such a wonderful counter attacking player, he eats up the grass with real pace and ball retention. Will certainly get lots of play time cos he’s a typical Emery type of player