Arsenal vs Brentford 09/03/2024 - KO 17:30

[HCZ_Reborn]

The last time we played this lot at home, they were one of the form teams in the Premier League and we were shot for confidence because we’d just lost to Everton the previous week.


Form of both sides couldn’t be more different. The suspension of Ivan Toney didn’t do much for Brentford’s confidence, and it hasn’t improved much since he’s returned (don’t rate him…think we can/should do better in a front man)

They’ve also lost seven out of the last eight away games in the league


So obviously 0-3 Jimmy Hill hat-trick

[HCZ_Reborn]

Also, given we play a day earlier we go top with a win. And if Liverpool-City draw, we stay top

[Mac76]

despite your attempts to hijack it, I'll still say 0-3 Toney hatter.

We should obvs win this and ideally it's another situation where we can go 3-0 or 4-0 up within 50-60 mins and rest players again, given what we have next week.

But it might not be as straightforward as some of our other recent games, I still feel we are very reliant on an early first goal to get into full stride adn if Brentford can take the game to us it could be a bit more stretching.

If CIteh don't score for 70 mins you still know they will come through, but in contrast I worry about us being able to do the same, despite some late comebacks last season.

Also Toney has bossed Saliba in the past unlike any other player I've seen.

[Mac76]

Also, given we play a day earlier we go top with a win. And if Liverpool-City draw, we stay top

Thanks, none of us knew that

[HCZ_Reborn]

Thanks, none of us knew that

In fairness, if I take yourself as a paradigm case. My experience has taught me never to assume what you know :d

[HCZ_Reborn]

despite your attempts to hijack it, I'll still say 0-3 Toney hatter.

We should obvs win this and ideally it's another situation where we can go 3-0 or 4-0 up within 50-60 mins and rest players again, given what we have next week.

But it might not be as straightforward as some of our other recent games, I still feel we are very reliant on an early first goal to get into full stride adn if Brentford can take the game to us it could be a bit more stretching.

If CIteh don't score for 70 mins you still know they will come through, but in contrast I worry about us being able to do the same, despite some late comebacks last season.

Also Toney has bossed Saliba in the past unlike any other player I've seen.

The game at their place was marked by their outright refusal to take the game to us. The reason City couldn’t score until the 70th minute was because the goalkeeper kept Brentford in it, they offered nothing bar one half chance in the first half. Plus City had the same issue breaking down Chelsea a few days earlier and Bournemouth (despite getting an early lead) a few days later

And actually even if they do come out swinging, I think it just gives us more space to counter with.

Saliba and Toney have only come up against each other twice. So in respect of bossing him, the 1-1 game despite the dodgy VAR decision…Brentford were more than worth a draw and I don’t think any player particularly had a great game that day. The reverse fixture last season, Toney was kept quiet for most of the game (from what I can remember mostly by Gabriel) so didn’t really have much of a chance to boss Saliba. So not really sure there’s anything that’s indicative of what’s to come

None of this is to say it will definitely be a walkover, Brentford could suddenly discover form that they’ve not shown in ages but recent results suggest they are more than a bit leaky defensively, and they aren’t always overly ambitious in attack.

[Marc Overmars]

I don’t expect this one to be comfortable, Brentford are definitely capable of making this a tough game for us even though they’ve not been as good this year.

Saying that, it would be quite unforgivable to miss the chance to gain points on at least one of City or Liverpool. So I would happily take a pub win here.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t expect this one to be comfortable, Brentford are definitely capable of making this a tough game for us even though they’ve not been as good this year.

Saying that, it would be quite unforgivable to miss the chance to gain points on at least one of City or Liverpool. So I would happily take a pub win here.

It’s all relative (as I’m sure I say a lot) will it be comfortable compared to say Sheffield United or Burnley ? No…they will offer more of a fight than that. They in fact probably have a bit more teeth from an attacking sense that most teams we’ve played in this seven game winning run

I don’t expect we will thrash them, but I’m inclined to say we should win comfortably….maybe one or two hairy moments but I would plump for 3-1

[Letters]

Bit nervous about this one.
I chastised Wengerbabies for declaring games “must win” early in the season.
Up till Christmas there’s no such thing really. But it’s showtime now, if we don’t win to go top today, with the other two contenders playing each other tomorrow, then it’s game over.

[Marc Overmars]

Bit nervous about this one.
I chastised Wengerbabies for declaring games “must win” early in the season.
Up till Christmas there’s no such thing really. But it’s showtime now, if we don’t win to go top today, with the other two contenders playing each other tomorrow, then it’s game over.

Yeah it would be a bit of a disaster really to not win this. Which might sound silly as we’ve won the previous 7 but given the game after this is at the Etihad, we could be out of contention very quickly.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I was nervous about the Newcastle game, I know they were god awful on the road but they had won at Villa Park recently and we had just lost to Porto and was bit concerned about potential hangover.


This one? No I’m fairly confident. If Arteta has any brains he will have played down the going top with a win aspect.


We are a team that is very confidence oriented but we do seem full of confidence. I suppose the only doubt is I’m not sure we’ve won more than seven league games on the trot under Arteta but I don’t think that is particularly a psychological barrier.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Trossard in for Martinelli. Hmm I know he came off injured on Monday, but thought he’d be back for the weekend. As long as it’s nothing serious probably not the worst time for him to pick up a knock.


Oh yeah and Ramsdale in for Raya…but that was obviously expected

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz.
Subs: Hein, Cedric, Zinchenko, Partey, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah, Jesus.

Brentford: Flekken, Roerslev, Zanka, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Onyeka, Janelt, Wissa, Toney.
Subs: Strakosha, Maupay, Jensen, Ghoddos, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Yarmoliuk, Ji-soo, Arhtur.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Mac’s favourite player back :haha:

He won’t agree but this is good, we need more options in defence. Kiwior has done well enough to keep his place, but with rotation in mind it can’t hurt to have another full back available .

[Marc Overmars]

Really hope Ramsdale has a good game, last thing we need is the keeper debate propping up again.

Probably will be his last game for the club too so I’m sure he’ll want to deliver.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Really hope Ramsdale has a good game, last thing we need is the keeper debate propping up again.

Probably will be his last game for the club too so I’m sure he’ll want to deliver.

Yep

Shaking like a shitting dog during the reverse fixture. I think even if he’s chosen Raya as his first choice. Ramsdale should have got more games. Even if for no other reason than he’d have no choice but to play Ram for at least two games this season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kiwior misses it, great ball in.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Blatant yellow for Onyeka

[HCZ_Reborn]

Toney won aerial duel before that to put Wissa in, good defending from Kiwior. Need to watch out for Toney in the air

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gabriel booked.

[Marc Overmars]

Not a great start.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trossard. :doh:

[Marc Overmars]

Toney won aerial duel before that to put Wissa in, good defending from Kiwior. Need to watch out for Toney in the air

Don’t know if my eyes are deceiving me but they seem a bit more imposing than us.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not a great start.

Well actually we started quite well, but I think we are getting a bit intimidated by their physicality. Giving away too many set piece opportunities too a team that can profit from them

[Marc Overmars]

RICE!!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

RICE!!!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Excellent, whilst I don’t think it will be a good idea to stand off this team too much. I think it gives us scope to use the counter…they’ve already had a player booked stopping Trossard

[Letters]

BABY!

[Letters]

Excellent, whilst I don’t think it will be a good idea to stand off this team too much. I think it gives us scope to use the counter…they’ve already had a player booked stopping Trossard
Oh well done messing up that sequence of posts <_<

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saliba bodied Toney. :bow:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Oh well done messing up that sequence of posts <_<

Do I want to know what possessed you to refer to Rice by that name?

[Letters]

Do I want to know what possessed you to refer to Rice by that name?

Two people posted “RICE!!!” so I posted “BABY!” which was supposed to complete the sequence to make the popular chant. But you posted in between <_<

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a pass from Jorginho.

Oh Havertz.

[WMUG]

Havertz :doh:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Two people posted “RICE!!!” so I posted “BABY!” which was supposed to complete the sequence to make the popular chant. But you posted in between <_<

Well obviously I didn’t deliberately piss on your bonfire

It’s just that there is such a thing as Serendipity :haha:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ugh fucking Havertz, second time now he’s shit the bed

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Peter Capaldi gets a yellow.

[Marc Overmars]

Fucking hell Ramsdale.

Ruined another title challenge for us.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-1, Ramsdale. :doh:

[Letters]

Well obviously I didn’t deliberately piss on your bonfire

It’s just that there is such a thing as Serendipity :haha:

I could just delete your post with my GREAT POWER!! :d

[HCZ_Reborn]

That’s what happens when you choose to bench your former first choice keeper for months.

[Letters]

1-1, Ramsdale. :doh:

#RayaWouldHaveSavedThat

:doh:

[HCZ_Reborn]

I could just delete your post with my GREAT POWER!! :d

You could, but the damage has already been done to your attempt at spontaneity. There’s no unringing that bell

[HCZ_Reborn]

#RayaWouldHaveSavedThat

:doh:

Wasn’t about the lack of a save, he holds onto the ball too long and when he does kick it out it’s straight against Wissa and into the net.

[Letters]

That’s what happens when you choose to bench your former first choice keeper for months.

I don’t really “get” rotating ‘keepers.
Injuries to them are relatively rare and they don’t work hard enough physically to need a rest.
I would note Arteta isn’t the only one to do it, but always seems strange to me

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So obviously needed to go out wide.

So dumb.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don’t really “get” rotating ‘keepers.
Injuries to them are relatively rare and they don’t work hard enough physically to need a rest.
I would note Arteta isn’t the only one to do it, but always seems strange to me

He's not rotating him. Raya is on loan from Brentford.

[Letters]

Wasn’t about the lack of a save, he holds onto the ball too long and when he does kick it out it’s straight against Wissa and into the net.
I’m not watching.
I continue to think that Raya was an odd signing but his distribution is better and while I don’t think there’s a significant difference in quality I’m warming to the idea that Raya suits our game better and Arteta got this one right.

We need to let go in the summer. He’s been a poor number 2 and he could be a decent number 1 elsewhere as he was for us.

[Letters]

He's not rotating him. Raya is on loan from Brentford.
Ah :good:

Me :pal:

EDIT: I thought maybe it was ahead of Porto

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsdale just doesn’t have the concentration levels needed.

If we don’t win this game now it’s a brutal end to his career with us.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t really “get” rotating ‘keepers.
Injuries to them are relatively rare and they don’t work hard enough physically to need a rest.
I would note Arteta isn’t the only one to do it, but always seems strange to me

But the point is he knew he’d have to play Ramsdale today

The argument as far as I can see it is, although a goalkeeper is less likely to get injured than an outfield player…having two reasonably good keepers and rotating a) keeps them both happy and b) in theory anyway :haha:, you shouldn’t be saddled with a complete muppet between the sticks if a keeper either gets injured or picks up a suspension or their loan agreement means they can’t play against the parent club

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ramsdale just doesn’t have the concentration levels needed.

If we don’t win this game now it’s a brutal end to his career with us.

For me this wasn’t concentration it was lack of confidence

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well done Ramsdale.

[Marc Overmars]

For me this wasn’t concentration it was lack of confidence

Either way, just like Southampton last year, he’s ruined it.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Either way, just like Southampton last year, he’s ruined it.

He’s also stopped us from going behind.

Don’t get me wrong horrendous error, but we are very wasteful not just wasteful but nervous

[Letters]

He’s also stopped us from going behind.

Don’t get me wrong horrendous error, but we are very wasteful not just wasteful but nervous
Which is worrying. We’re supposed to be confident title contenders, not nervous kittens.
It’s happened again? :(

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jorginho off, Jesus on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a save from Ramsdale.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What an effort from Rice.

[Letters]

My neighbour seems to think we scored?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

HAVERTZ!!!!

[Letters]

Worth every penny! :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford, FT!!! WOOOOO!!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Phew?

I don’t think we were great today, but I think some credit goes to Brentford for that . This was a completely different team going forward than the one we played in November.

Then again we’ve had it so easy of late that it’s easy to forget that there are capable premier league teams out there

[Mac76]

Kai Havertz scores again, GTFI, we need to be able to win games like that and we did, amazing in the ground

[Letters]

We’ve been living in a bit of a bubble of sweeping teams aside, it was never going to go on like that. Sounds like we had to grind one out today, but you need to be able to do that.
And so to The Ethiad…

[HCZ_Reborn]

We’ve been living in a bit of a bubble of sweeping teams aside, it was never going to go on like that. Sounds like we had to grind one out today, but you need to be able to do that.
And so to The Ethiad…

Mothafucka did you just say the same thing I said but reworded ??? :haha:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Kai Havertz scores again, GTFI, we need to be able to win games like that and we did, amazing in the ground

The sweetest thing is that although they won’t admit it, Chelsea fans must be seething that we appear to be getting more out of him than their club ever managed.


“Oh Cole Palmer is much better??, ok cool…you enjoy him, and enjoy mid table”

[Marc Overmars]

Brilliant win. Really encouraging that we did it while dealing with some jeopardy.

On to Porto. :sick:

[Letters]

Also. Fuck Brentford. They are proper scrotes and tried to muscle us out of it like Stoke used to.
The inevitable “should Havertz have been on the pitch” debate was had on MoTD.
I thought he should have been booked for the dive, but I also thought the first booking was a bit harsh. And we should have had a pel when Trossard (I think?) was hauled down by the neck!

So :fingers:

[Letters]

Also, pleased Ramsdale atoned, up to a point, for his first half brainfart.
The reflex save was excellent and athletic to get to Toney’s outstanding effort.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not sure if I agree Brentford were like Stoke. Definitely a physical side without doubt, the difference is Stoke were ridiculously cynical, a lot of off the ball fouls, lot of time wasting etc.

I don’t mind a side being a bit physical as long as they aren’t just being thuggish with it.

[Letters]

Obviously I only saw the highlights but they seemed to be trying to physically bully us. All the nonsense going on at corners.

[Mac76]

Also. Fuck Brentford. They are proper scrotes and tried to muscle us out of it like Stoke used to.
The inevitable “should Havertz have been on the pitch” debate was had on MoTD.
I thought he should have been booked for the dive, but I also thought the first booking was a bit harsh. And we should have had a pel when Trossard (I think?) was hauled down by the neck!

So :fingers:

Yes, the bookings for Gabriel and Havertz were both harsh IMO, thought the ref was awful, he bought all the Brentford tricks with timewasting etc and was strutting around like he was the star of the show

[KSE Comedy Club]

Yes, the bookings for Gabriel and Havertz were both harsh IMO, thought the ref was awful, he bought all the Brentford tricks with timewasting etc and was strutting around like he was the star of the show

Deffo correct there.

I didn't see one card for their continual timewasting in the second half.