Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal kicked off 2025 in the fitting approach, taking all three factors in what was a tough away sport in opposition to Brentford.
Rumours of a bug within the camp abounded pre-game, and when the crew sheet was introduced there was no Kai Havertz, the German was too in poor health to play. Mikel Arteta revealed afterwards that even a few of those that performed had been affected, however insisted that his resolution to begin Ethan Nwaneri was in regards to the 17 yr outdated deserving it quite than the rest. Extra on him anon.
We started effectively, with loads of the ball of their half, but it surely was the house aspect who went forward. A Martin Odegaard cross was intercepted of their half, they took it ahead, the spectacular Bryan Mbeumo took it on, bought onto his left foot in our field, and his shot contained in the close to put up caught David Raya out. I believe he was anticipating a roller to the far nook, it was a pleasant end from an in-form participant, but it surely felt like a smooth aim to concede.
It may need been a really completely different night time after Raya let a shot slip by way of his fingers, however not for the primary time this season his unbelievable response instances bailed us out. Because the ball bounced in the direction of the online, he raced again shortly to paw it to security, and the replays confirmed simply how shut it got here to getting into. Had it gone to 2-0, it might have been far more difficult to get one thing from the sport – that felt like an enormous second. It was a multitude of his personal making, however he did brilliantly to maintain it out.
Lower than a minute later we had been degree. It bought a bit scrappy on the sting of the Brentford field, a dodgy contact from Mbeumo ended up with Thomas Partey taking over a shot which the keeper saved, however Gabriel Jesus was there to move residence the rebound from shut vary. Was it probably the most stunning aim ever? Removed from it, but it surely was sensible centre-forward play from the Brazilian who was in the fitting place, anticipated the rebound, and utilized the end. 1-1.
Whereas it was a primary half we didn’t create massively in, we nonetheless completed it having had 9 photographs to Brentford’s 4, and I believe we deserved to go in degree. It was then about what we’d do within the second half in opposition to a crew with – then at the least – the joint greatest report at residence within the Premier League. The reply was emphatic, two objectives in a few minutes that utterly knocked the stuffing out of them.
First, a nook from the left taken by Ethan Nwaneri noticed a Jesus shot blocked, however Mikel Merino was there to stab the ball residence for his second aim of the season. Then simply a few minutes after that, Nwaneri’s fast toes delivered a cross which Brentford couldn’t clear effectively sufficient, it fell for Gabriel Martinelli and his end gave the keeper no probability to make it 3-1.
After that, it was like a special match. Brentford barely threatened, we saved issues beneath management, and within the context of the schedule we discover ourselves in, I believe we performed a sport of containment. Typically you are feeling like one aim for the opposition would change issues, however they by no means seemed like getting it. After a primary half he gained’t have been too keen on on his return to Brentford, I assumed Raya was superb within the second, enjoying with precisely the peace of mind we wanted from him at 3-1 up.
The again 4 had been stable, Partey had an excellent sport anchoring the midfield, and we made a load of adjustments with out it impacting the best way the sport was enjoying out to its inevitable conclusion. The one actually destructive observe was a primary half reserving for Jurrien Timber which guidelines him out of Saturday’s journey to Brighton.
Afterwards, Arteta mentioned:
It’s a really troublesome place to come back, once you see their report at residence, the best way they play, the best way they trigger points to opponents, very spectacular, on prime of that, we went a aim down. So then, it turns into an enormous mountain to climb, however I believe the crew confirmed plenty of composure, was very calm emotionally as a result of we wanted that in as we speak’s sport and as effectively had the fitting need to maintain insisting, attacking them and do it in a approach that may trigger them issues, which is troublesome. So, general, I believe we deserved to win the sport.
By any measure this can be a superb end result in opposition to a aspect who’ve been glorious at residence this season. It seemed at the least banana-skin adjoining, with the accidents and absences and the early aim for them it grew to become extra difficult, however we reacted rather well and I believe we completely deserved all three factors. It’s additionally actually, actually necessary that gamers like Martinelli and Jesus present end-product proper now, in order that’s one other large optimistic to take from this one.
Understandably, the supervisor was additionally requested about Ethan Nwaneri who began on the fitting, and mentioned:
That was a choice we made as a result of I assumed he was one of the best participant to play within the place to begin the sport and since there was a narrative there, together with his debut right here. He made his Premier League debut and typically that feeling is available in and you’re feeling it’s the fitting one.
I used to be glad to see him get the nod, I’ve to say. I did surprise if Ipswich at residence may need been a ‘safer’ approach to give him his first Premier League begin, however maybe there’s one thing extra to take from yesterday. It’s at all times powerful away from residence, and I believe he got here by way of this sport with flying colors. He was good on the ball, courageous in possession, concerned in two of our objectives, and what a efficiency like that does is reassure a supervisor {that a} younger participant is a very viable possibility.
In the identical approach Myles Lewis-Skelly took an enormous step ahead after being handed a begin within the Champions League in opposition to Monaco, I believe this could possibly be the second for Nwaneri. We’re quick on numbers in assault, and whereas clearly it’s fallacious to check him to Bukayo Saka, he offers us one thing comparable in that place which is likely to be one thing the supervisor considers as he picks his groups all through this hectic interval. Nwaneri needs to be very happy together with his night time’s work, and I anticipate to see extra of him any longer – whether or not it’s on the fitting or elsewhere.
A remaining factor on him: given the significance of set-pieces to this crew, it was notable he was provided that duty yesterday. The ‘simple’ possibility could be Odegaard, but it surely’s one other little feather in Nwaneri’s cap that he was trusted – and offered respectable supply too. So general, a really pleasing approach to begin 2025. It’s the primary of two tough away video games this week, so hopefully we will relaxation up, recover from among the sickness points, and repeat the feat after we journey to Brighton on Saturday.
Proper, let’s go away it there. We’re gonna have an Arsecast Further for you in a short while too. We’ve put out the decision for questions on BlueSky @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you happen to’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod needs to be out round lunchtime. For now, have an excellent one.
