Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal kicked off 2025 in the appropriate manner, taking all three factors in what was a tough away sport towards Brentford.
Rumours of a bug within the camp abounded pre-game, and when the group sheet was introduced there was no Kai Havertz, the German was too ailing to play. Mikel Arteta revealed afterwards that even a few of those that performed had been affected, however insisted that his determination to start out Ethan Nwaneri was in regards to the 17 yr outdated deserving it relatively than the rest. Extra on him anon.
We started nicely, with loads of the ball of their half, but it surely was the house facet who went forward. A Martin Odegaard move 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 publish 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 tender aim to concede.
It may need been a really totally different night time after Raya let a shot slip via his fingers, however not for the primary time this season his unbelievable response occasions bailed us out. Because the ball bounced in the direction of the online, he raced again rapidly to paw it to security, and the replays confirmed simply how shut it got here to moving into. Had it gone to 2-0, it might have been far more difficult to get one thing from the sport – that felt like a giant second. It was a large number of his personal making, however he did brilliantly to maintain it out.
Lower than a minute later we had been stage. It bought a bit scrappy on the sting of the Brentford field, a dodgy contact from Mbeumo ended up with Thomas Partey taking up a shot which the keeper saved, however Gabriel Jesus was there to move residence the rebound from shut vary. Was it essentially the most lovely aim ever? Removed from it, but it surely was good centre-forward play from the Brazilian who was in the appropriate 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 pictures to Brentford’s 4, and I believe we deserved to go in stage. It was then about what we’d do within the second half towards a group with – then no less than – the joint greatest file at residence within the Premier League. The reply was emphatic, two targets in a few minutes that fully 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 nicely sufficient, it fell for Gabriel Martinelli and his end gave the keeper no likelihood to make it 3-1.
After that, it was like a unique 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. Generally you’re feeling like one aim for the opposition would change issues, however they by no means appeared like getting it. After a primary half he received’t have been too keen on on his return to Brentford, I believed Raya was excellent within the second, taking part in with precisely the reassurance we wanted from him at 3-1 up.
The again 4 had been strong, Partey had a great sport anchoring the midfield, and we made a load of adjustments with out it impacting the way in which the sport was taking part in out to its inevitable conclusion. The one actually damaging word was a primary half reserving for Jurrien Timber which guidelines him out of Saturday’s journey to Brighton.
Afterwards, Arteta stated:
It’s a really tough place to return, while you see their file at residence, the way in which they play, the way in which they trigger points to opponents, very spectacular, on high of that, we went a aim down. So then, it turns into a giant mountain to climb, however I believe the group confirmed a number of composure, was very calm emotionally as a result of we wanted that in at the moment’s sport and as nicely had the appropriate want to maintain insisting, attacking them and do it in a manner that may trigger them issues, which is tough. So, total, I believe we deserved to win the sport.
By any measure this can be a excellent outcome towards a facet who’ve been glorious at residence this season. It appeared no less than banana-skin adjoining, with the accidents and absences and the early aim for them it turned extra sophisticated, however we reacted very well and I believe we completely deserved all three factors. It’s additionally actually, actually vital that gamers like Martinelli and Jesus present end-product proper now, in order that’s one other massive constructive to take from this one.
Understandably, the supervisor was additionally requested about Ethan Nwaneri who began on the appropriate, and stated:
That was a choice we made as a result of I believed he was the perfect participant to play within the place to start out 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 appropriate 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’ technique 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 via this sport with flying colors. He was good on the ball, courageous in possession, concerned in two of our targets, and what a efficiency like that does is reassure a supervisor {that a} younger participant is a very viable possibility.
In the identical manner Myles Lewis-Skelly took a giant step ahead after being handed a begin within the Champions League towards Monaco, I believe this might be the second for Nwaneri. We’re brief on numbers in assault, and whereas clearly it’s incorrect to check him to Bukayo Saka, he provides 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 ought to be more than 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 appropriate or elsewhere.
A last factor on him: given the significance of set-pieces to this group, it was notable he was on condition that duty yesterday. The ‘simple’ possibility can be Odegaard, but it surely’s one other little feather in Nwaneri’s cap that he was trusted – and offered first rate supply too. So total, a really pleasing technique to begin 2025. It’s the primary of two tough away video games this week, so hopefully we are able to relaxation up, recover from among the sickness points, and repeat the feat after we journey to Brighton on Saturday.
Proper, let’s depart it there. We’re gonna have an Arsecast Further for you in a short time too. We’ve put out the decision for questions on BlueSky @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or when you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod ought to be out round lunchtime. For now, have a great one.
