Brentford vs Arsenal 01.01.2025 KO 17:30 GMT

[HCZ_Reborn]

A fixture that only Skysports will be able to tell you why they decided to schedule it for today, as opposed to yesterday or Monday but there we go.


The Havertz in midfield experiment has to end, it didn’t work last season and it’s not working now. The fact that we looked better simply by bringing Merino on, tells you how ineffective we are playing him there


Play Rice at 6, Partey at 8 and Calafiori at left back. Then play Jesus on the right, Martinelli/Trossard on the left and Havertz up front. There’s no need to complicate things.


After the miserable failure that saw us win 5 games in 11 and give succour to a Liverpool team we should have beaten comfortably at the Emirates, pretty much every game from here on out is a must win. In a fair world Arteta’s job would be on the line, and online imbeciles wouldn’t be showing our calendar year form as if it’s anything more than a curious statistic.


But we don’t, so we have to put up with him even if the looming humiliation does come to pass. But we should still make every effort to make sure it doesn’t

[Letters]

I hope we win, tbh

[dazthegooner]

After the Ipswich gane when Rice was being interviewed he mentioned that he's stronger as a number 6 but Arteta like's him at 8 (well that's what I got from it anyway)

[HCZ_Reborn]

After the Ipswich gane when Rice was being interviewed he mentioned that he's stronger as a number 6 but Arteta like's him at 8 (well that's what I got from it anyway)

Well the explanation for that is simple. Arteta is a cunt more interested in proving himself to be brilliantly unorthodox than doing the basic and simple things. Whilst I think people wanting us to adopt the hire and fire method of Chelsea are not thinking straight (assuming they are capable of thought at all), the head coach/manager should be little more than a functionary who oversees training and makes sure that the correct team is picked for match days….and without major trophies should be kept at the club no longer than three seasons. That we allowed this inexperienced arrogant individual whose grasp exceeds their reach to do a power grab and make himself manager, shows that half the problem is the ownership’s indifference

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-3 tbh.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I think this will be another struggle. I think because of the way Brentford have gone for games this season (especially at home) I think we’ve forgotten how they played against us last season….especially at home. We have to expect that almost every team will play a deep block against us (unless they ate stupid) because it’s a clear weakness of ours…again because of who we have as coach.
Like always if we get sloppy and concede the first goal, we statistically have a negligible chance of coming back to win the game…that means Havertz in midfield has to be out of the question…especially with a team that as much as it will defend will go for us on the counter

[HCZ_Reborn]

Also given that despite our usual solid record in the last couple of seasons away from home defensively, we haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home in the last 7 games (conceding 10 times in those 7) we probably need 2-3 goals to make sure we win this game

[dazthegooner]

Think we'll just sneak it 2-1

[Marc Overmars]

1-2

[The Wengerbabies]

Forgot all about this.

Football :rose:

Must win

[HCZ_Reborn]

Team to play Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Rice, Kabia, Trossard

I don’t even know where to begin. What’s happened to Havertz.

Stop Playing Partey at 6. Stop playing Merino at all…if he’s got to play, play him as a sub after we’ve taken the lead…he’s too slow to play in a creative position and his passing isn’t good enough.

If Havertz is sick/injured, Jesus should have been played on the right with Nwaneri next to Odegaard

I’m not confident

[Mac76]

I'm not yet a huge fan but I expect Merino's there to give some solidity, Brentford are quite a physical team

Good to see Nwaneri start but seems a weird match to pick as opposed to Ipswich at home...

As for Havertz it must be an injury or personal reasons, I can't see a reason for him being out of the squad otherwise

[HCZ_Reborn]

Nwaneri was presumably picked because of the injury/illness or otherwise unknown reason for Havertz’s absence. Otherwise he’d presumably have stuck him up front.

Merino isn’t especially that good physically either, he may have looked that way in Spain but doesn’t look especially like he’s confident being pressed.

I don’t know. I honestly can’t remember the last lineup I had much confidence in. Arteta for me, just does not know what he is doing

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Team to play Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Rice, Kabia, Trossard

I don’t even know where to begin. What’s happened to Havertz.

Stop Playing Partey at 6. Stop playing Merino at all…if he’s got to play, play him as a sub after we’ve taken the lead…he’s too slow to play in a creative position and his passing isn’t good enough.

If Havertz is sick/injured, Jesus should have been played on the right with Nwaneri next to Odegaard

I’m not confident

Brentford: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Yarmoliuk; Wissa
Subs: Valdimarsson, Schade, Jensen, Meghoma, Konak, Maghoma, Ji-Soo, Yogane, Arthur

[Mac76]

Nwaneri was presumably picked because of the injury/illness or otherwise unknown reason for Havertz’s absence. Otherwise he’d presumably have stuck him up front.

Merino isn’t especially that good physically either, he may have looked that way in Spain but doesn’t look especially like he’s confident being pressed.

I don’t know. I honestly can’t remember the last lineup I had much confidence in. Arteta for me, just does not know what he is doing


Sort of my point really, he's given Nwaneri too little game time up until now and here he is now making a very rare start against the team with the joint best home record in the league

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'm alright with our team tbh

Odegaard and Nwaneri presumably will interact a lot. If he's on the right of course.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Sort of my point really, he's given Nwaneri too little game time up until now and here he is now making a very rare start against the team with the joint best home record in the league

Again I wasn’t disagreeing with you, he should have started against Ipswich but just stating that presumably he’s only starting now because of another player being unavailable.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'm alright with our team tbh

Odegaard and Nwaneri presumably will interact a lot. If he's on the right of course.

That’s not the problem I have. The problem i have is Merino starting and Jesus playing up front. In the absence of Havertz I’d sooner have Trossard up front

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal. :bow:

[Mac76]

nasty tackle on Martinelli goes un-carded - after all it's not as bad as kicking the ball away is it :rolleyes:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Brentford almost open us up by going Route one within the first five minutes

[WMUG]

Nwaneri on corners is interesting.

[Mac76]

Odegaard sends one into space

[Mac76]

Mbeumo does Calafiore - 1-0

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Mbuemo

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Well Odegaard caused that goal ...and he has been doing shit like that for a lot of this season!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

That’s game over (well in terms of getting a win I mean), there’s about a 10% chance of a draw

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great finish by Mbuemo BTW.

I don't think their is any forward in our club who could do that except Saka of course.

[Letters]

That’s game over (well in terms of getting a win I mean), there’s about a 10% chance of a draw

A little melodramatic at this stage, but given how hard we seem to find scoring it's...less than ideal

[Marc Overmars]

Us. :lol:

[The Wengerbabies]

Forgot all about this.



Should have stayed forgotten :rolleyes:

[WMUG]

Jesus pussies out of pulling the trigger after beating 2 men, leading to Brentford immediately winning the ball back anyway. :rolleyes:

[Marc Overmars]

Bet Liverpool cannot believe how easy this title win is going to be for them.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Jesus pussies out of pulling the trigger after beating 2 men, leading to Brentford immediately winning the ball back anyway. :rolleyes:

He has reverted back to form.

Only an idiot would insist we don't need a serious striker, especially seeing what Mbeumo just did

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Raya seems to be feeling the nerves back here at his old side

[HCZ_Reborn]

A little melodramatic at this stage, but given how hard we seem to find scoring it's...less than ideal

No melodrama involved I'm basing it on statistics. In Arteta’s tenure as coach we have come back from conceding the first goal to win a game away from home three times and only once in the last almost four years (roughly about 30 times have we conceded the first goal in that time)

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Its really funny that it takes an injury for Nwaneri to start a EPL game.

I think he's been the most comfortable forward so far.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jesus Raya. :haha:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

WTF is going on with Raya!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

JESUS!!!

[Mac76]

Jesuuuuuuuuuus!!!!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Can't believe we scored that without Havertz.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great shot by Partey who I think has been excellent so far.

[Marc Overmars]

Get in!

[WMUG]

No melodrama involved I'm basing it on statistics. In Arteta’s tenure as coach we have come back from conceding the first goal to win a game away from home three times and only once in the last almost four years (roughly about 30 times have we conceded the first goal in that time)

What about when we equalise in games where we've been behind?

[WMUG]

Wissa :lol:

Nice try.

[WMUG]

I did exactly what Raya did the other week, only I didn't have the excuse of it being a fizzing shot, it was just a bouncing through-ball that I completely fucked up.

I did just about manage to recover though :lol:

[Mac76]

Odegaard needs to give Nwaneri the ball more often

[HCZ_Reborn]

What about when we equalise in games where we've been behind?


Three wins, six draws and two defeats

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Mbeumo seems to be getting the best of Caliafiori in all the one on ones....beginning to wonder what he'd do to Lewis-Skelly.

[Mac76]

Mbeumo seems to be getting the best of Caliafiori in all the one on ones....beginning to wonder what he'd do to Lewis-Skelly.

MLS is a bit better as a defender than Cala IMO

[WMUG]

Three wins, six draws and two defeats

https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/C5612AQFKQCinuG7TEw/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/0/1620234277641?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=SLTc_jXLW7op8K6Ck7QuxfsSINOOsquwrud07kn0GUk

[Letters]

No melodrama involved I'm basing it on statistics. In Arteta’s tenure as coach we have come back from conceding the first goal to win a game away from home three times and only once in the last almost four years (roughly about 30 times have we conceded the first goal in that time)

The "at this stage" is the key thing. I'd be interested to see how those stats break down in terms of when we go behind. When it's early as it was today it's a bit early to write us off. But we just generally seem to be struggling our way through games, I am worried Liverpool will canter to this title. But anyway, at least we're back in this one

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If I was a Brentford fan, I'd be livid that the ref stopped the game because of Jesus.

[WMUG]

Perfect chance there to put Nwaneri 1 on 1 with their fullback.

Obviously we don't, we recycle then almost immediately lose the ball anyway.

It's really quite infuriating.

[WMUG]

The "at this stage" is the key thing. I'd be interested to see how those stats break down in terms of when we go behind.

Off you pop to Excel then ;)

[HCZ_Reborn]

The "at this stage" is the key thing. I'd be interested to see how those stats break down in terms of when we go behind. When it's early as it was today it's a bit early to write us off. But we just generally seem to be struggling our way through games, I am worried Liverpool will canter to this title. But anyway, at least we're back in this one

Nope has absolutely no bearing, additionally in most of the games where we concede the first goal we never score once in reply. We’ve also lost twice to Aston Villa by 1 goal to nil where we’ve conceded inside the first ten minutes (one was after 90 seconds).

We conceded to Newcastle this season in the 12th minute and couldn’t get back into the game, so time really isn’t a factor

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-1 HT.

[Mac76]

1-1 HT

better than versus Ipswich but we're still too slow in attack, not enough movement, we're relying too much on little flicks into a packed pelanty area

if only Arteta knew how to really unleash what this team has to offer in attack

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think we might need at least 2 more goals to win this as I can see Brentford scoring another goal.

We really don't have quality forward players, especially when Odegaard isn't purring. If we win this, or not, we really need to invest in quality forward players who are goal threats this January.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

1-1 HT

better than versus Ipswich but we're still too slow in attack, not enough movement, we're relying too much on little flicks into a packed pelanty area

if only Arteta knew how to really unleash what this team has to offer in attack

Totally agree with you and silly chips and lobs are getting to me. Put the ball on the ground as that's strength of the players we have on the field. Also, I think Merino is getting in everyone's way trying to head every single ball.

[Mac76]

Perfect chance there to put Nwaneri 1 on 1 with their fullback.

Obviously we don't, we recycle then almost immediately lose the ball anyway.

It's really quite infuriating.

Yes we don't play the quick pass to get people in, Odegaard's guilty as much as anyone of taking too many touches and allowing Brentford to organise at the back

[HCZ_Reborn]

Sherlock needs more fibre in his diet

[Mac76]

Totally agree with you and silly chips and lobs are getting to me. Put the ball on the ground as that's strength of the players we have on the field. Also, I think Merino is getting in everyone's way trying to head every single ball.

Yeah Merino's a huffer and puffer but not in tune with the team at all

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MERINO!!!

[WMUG]

Statistics :pal:

[Mac76]

Set piece again ole ole

Merino :bow: :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Martinelli 3-1

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MARTINELLI!!!!!

[Mac76]

Martinelliiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!

What a strike

[Marc Overmars]

Get the fuck in!!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Missed the second goal but that was a good strike from Martinelli.

Hopefully we can play Arteta ball and control this game out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Decent from Martinelli and Jesus.

[dazthegooner]

Nice quick throw from Reya but over hit it a bit ;)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nwaneri. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Calafiori, Merino and Nwaneri off, Lewis-Skelly, Rice and Trossard on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wait I got confused who came off

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ahh Merino went off.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Odegaard off, Jorginho on.

[Mac76]

Zin on to see if he can throw it away in the last couple of minutes

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Brentford 1-3 The Arsenal, FT! :bow:

Well done.

[Marc Overmars]

Well earned win that.

Same again at Brighton please.

[Mac76]

3-1 to us, a better second half, more enterprising and it paid off

:scarf:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Over to you Liverpool says Keown.

We play next you moron.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I always feel nervous even when we are comfortably in front and more often than not we are good at closing out games where we’ve established a lead

Anyway February 2023, that was the last time we conceded the first goal away from home and went on to win. In the nine games between then and today we have lost six and drawn three.


A record that needs improving upon for sure. However a record that is pretty solid is our record against London teams. We’ve played our final away game in the capital for the season and have won 4 and drawn two. In fact we’ve only lost once in our last 18 London Derbies away from home

[Letters]

Nope has absolutely no bearing, additionally in most of the games where we concede the first goal we never score once in reply. We’ve also lost twice to Aston Villa by 1 goal to nil where we’ve conceded inside the first ten minutes (one was after 90 seconds).

We conceded to Newcastle this season in the 12th minute and couldn’t get back into the game, so time really isn’t a factor

Ok.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Over to you Liverpool says Keown.

We play next you moron.

Oh Leave him alone, he’s a lovely guy despite not being that bright :lol:

Remember going to a few away games when he was still playing and he was always the one geeing up the away crowd with a raised fist and a snarl (probably trying to scare us into making noise :haha:)

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ok.

www.soccerbase.com

This is my magic repository of knowledge, it contains every result for every team more or less going back about thirty years

If you are bored at work one time, collate your spreadsheet…and you’ll find that in the vast majority of instances where we conceded first and lost (going back to December 26th 2019), the first goal was scored by the opposition in the first half.

Use the knowledge responsibly !!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Well earned win that.

Same again at Brighton please.

Missed a lot of the 2nd half but I must admit with the way things started, the boys impressed me a lot with this win.

Hopefully we build on it and take the positives... the main being IMO Nwaneri should be getting more minutes in this side.

Over to you Liverpool.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Oh Leave him alone, he’s a lovely guy despite not being that bright :lol:

Remember going to a few away games when he was still playing and he was always the one geeing up the away crowd with a raised fist and a snarl (probably trying to scare us into making noise :haha:)

He now has a book or maybe does soon, after previously inferring you're a loser if you read a book. :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Over to you Liverpool says Keown.

We play next you moron.

Oh do we, lol made the same mistake :lol:

[Letters]

www.soccerbase.com

This is my magic repository of knowledge, it contains every result for every team more or less going back about thirty years

If you are bored at work one time, collate your spreadsheet…and you’ll find that in the vast majority of instances where we conceded first and lost (going back to December 26th 2019), the first goal was scored by the opposition in the first half.

Use the knowledge responsibly !!

:good:

I am a big fan of statistics but I'm not sure how valid stuff like "Arsenal haven't won an away game when they've gone behind since..." is.
I mean, we have a good record generally so it's not going to be that many games. And most away games when you go behind you're probably going to lose. And it obviously depends on the opposition, against bigger sides if you go behind you're probably not going to get an away win. With Brentford it seemed a bit too early to throw in the towel. That said, we do struggle for goals (again, the stats don't show that, but there are too many "we could play till midnight and not score" games.).

This season seems to constantly be on the brink of disaster but here we are still clinging to Liverpool's coattails. And we're now only 1 point off where we were at this stage last season. I'm not expecting us to go on the kind of run we did last year but I don't think we need to in order to win the league. I don't think Liverpool are going to go on the kind of run City did last year either.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:good:

I am a big fan of statistics but I'm not sure how valid stuff like "Arsenal haven't won an away game when they've gone behind since..." is.
I mean, we have a good record generally so it's not going to be that many games. And most away games when you go behind you're probably going to lose. And it obviously depends on the opposition, against bigger sides if you go behind you're probably not going to get an away win. With Brentford it seemed a bit too early to throw in the towel. That said, we do struggle for goals (again, the stats don't show that, but there are too many "we could play till midnight and not score" games.).

This season seems to constantly be on the brink of disaster but here we are still clinging to Liverpool's coattails. And we're now only 1 point off where we were at this stage last season. I'm not expecting us to go on the kind of run we did last year but I don't think we need to in order to win the league. I don't think Liverpool are going to go on the kind of run City did last year either.

I think Fergie's Man U sides and Peps earlier Citeh with a prime De Bruyne will disagree with you on the bold part.

Even without the stats, I got the point HCZ was trying to make. Getting the 3 points was a herculean task once we went down, especially when you are playing a team with the best home record in the division. BTW their record is well deserved.

This result was pretty impressive TBH and it was against the grain.

[HCZ_Reborn]

:good:

I am a big fan of statistics but I'm not sure how valid stuff like "Arsenal haven't won an away game when they've gone behind since..." is.
I mean, we have a good record generally so it's not going to be that many games. And most away games when you go behind you're probably going to lose. And it obviously depends on the opposition, against bigger sides if you go behind you're probably not going to get an away win. With Brentford it seemed a bit too early to throw in the towel. That said, we do struggle for goals (again, the stats don't show that, but there are too many "we could play till midnight and not score" games.).

This season seems to constantly be on the brink of disaster but here we are still clinging to Liverpool's coattails. And we're now only 1 point off where we were at this stage last season. I'm not expecting us to go on the kind of run we did last year but I don't think we need to in order to win the league. I don't think Liverpool are going to go on the kind of run City did last year either.

The amount of games where we’ve conceded the first goal away from home between February 2023 now is 9


Man City 4-1 Arsenal

Forest 1-0 Arsenal

Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

Man City 2-2 Arsenal

Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal

Fulham 1-1 Arsenal


Yes I understand the argument that it is relative to who you are playing, but when you take away that two of those games are against City…and even the game against Bournemouth where we are down to ten men for most of the game.


Forest, Newcastle, Villa, Fulham - 1 point from those 4 games, and what connects them all? The goals were all conceded in the first half, and despite territorial dominance and lots of huff and puff we score one goal in those games. This is largely a continuation of the problem we all know we have when it comes to playing against teams that use the deep block.


We struggle and that struggle is intensified when teams have something to hold onto and don’t need to come out as much

[Mac76]

I think Fergie's Man U sides and Peps earlier Citeh with a prime De Bruyne will disagree with you on the bold part.
.

Tbf Fergufuck knew he'd get a pel and an extra 10 mims ET whenever he needed it

[Letters]

Oh! This is on ITV. Might watch as MrsL has gone out

[Letters]

FFS, now I’m posting in the wrong thread!
This was about the Newcastle game!