Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction – Video
Arsenal kicked off 2025 in the best method, taking all three factors in what was a tough away recreation 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 unwell to play. Mikel Arteta revealed afterwards that even a few of those that performed had been affected, however insisted that his resolution to start out Ethan Nwaneri was in regards to the 17 12 months outdated deserving it moderately than the rest. Extra on him anon.
We started effectively, with loads of the ball of their half, but it surely was the house facet who went forward. A Martin Odegaard go was intercepted of their half, they took it ahead, the spectacular Bryan Mbeumo took it on, acquired 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 delicate aim to concede.
It may need been a really completely different night time after Raya let a shot slip by way of his palms, however not for the primary time this season his unimaginable response instances bailed us out. Because the ball bounced in direction of the online, he raced again shortly to paw it to security, and the replays confirmed simply how shut it got here to entering into. Had it gone to 2-0, it will 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 acquired 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 go residence the rebound from shut vary. Was it essentially the most stunning aim ever? Removed from it, but it surely was sensible centre-forward play from the Brazilian who was in the best 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 in opposition to a crew with – then at the very least – the joint finest document 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 ft delivered a cross which Brentford couldn’t clear effectively 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 distinct match. Brentford barely threatened, we saved issues underneath management, and within the context of the schedule we discover ourselves in, I believe we performed a recreation 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, taking part in with precisely the peace of mind we wanted from him at 3-1 up.
The again 4 had been strong, Partey had a superb recreation 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 unfavorable observe 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 come back, once you see their document 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 crew confirmed quite a lot of composure, was very calm emotionally as a result of we wanted that in right now’s recreation and as effectively had the best want to maintain insisting, attacking them and do it in a method 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 superb outcome in opposition to a facet who’ve been wonderful at residence this season. It seemed at the very least banana-skin adjoining, with the accidents and absences and the early aim for them it grew to become extra sophisticated, however we reacted rather well and I believe we completely deserved all three factors. It’s additionally actually, actually essential 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 best, and stated:
That was a choice we made as a result of I assumed he was the perfect participant to play within the place to start out the sport and since there was a narrative there, along with his debut right here. He made his Premier League debut and generally that feeling is available in and you’re feeling it’s the best 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’ method to give him his first Premier League begin, however maybe there’s one thing extra to take from yesterday. It’s all the time robust away from residence, and I believe he got here by way of this recreation 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 choice.
In the identical method Myles Lewis-Skelly took a giant step ahead after being handed a begin within the Champions League in opposition to Monaco, I believe this may very well be the second for Nwaneri. We’re brief on numbers in assault, and whereas clearly it’s unsuitable to match 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 must be very happy along with his night time’s work, and I count on to see extra of him any more – whether or not it’s on the best or elsewhere.
A ultimate factor on him: given the significance of set-pieces to this crew, it was notable he was on condition that duty yesterday. The ‘straightforward’ choice can be Odegaard, but it surely’s one other little feather in Nwaneri’s cap that he was trusted – and offered respectable supply too. So total, a really pleasing method 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 a few of the sickness points, and repeat the feat once we journey to Brighton on Saturday.
Proper, let’s depart it there. We’re gonna have an Arsecast Additional 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, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod must be out round lunchtime. For now, have a superb one.
