Premier League: Arsenal overthrow Brentford and remain runners-up to Liverpool

No respite for English football this holiday season. The 19th day of the Premier League offered a nice poster between Brentford and Arsenal this Wednesday evening on the lawn of the Gtech Community Stadium. At home, the Bees were organized in a 4-2-3-1 with Mark Flekken officiating as the last line of defense. Ahead of him were Mads Roerslev, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg and Keane Lewis-Potter. Vitaly Janelt and Christian Norgaard found themselves in midfield. Yegor Yarmoliuk, Mikkel Damsgaard and Yoane Wissa accompanied Bryan Mbeumo in attack. For their part, the Gunners were structured in a 4-3-3 with David Raya in the cages behind Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori. The midfield was provided by Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard. Up front, Gabriel Jesus took the lead in the attack with Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli at his side.

In the first half, everything got carried away quickly. Indeed, Mikkel Damsgaard was able to perfectly shift Bryan Mbeumo to the right of the area. The latter fixed Riccardo Calafiori, provoked and armed a cross shot which lodged on the right of David Raya’s goal which was well behind (13th, 1-0). The Bees wasted no time and quickly sounded the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s players believed they had reacted with this double opportunity. On a free kick from Martin Ødegaard towards the center of the Brentford area, Thomas Partey controlled and followed up with a shot that was initially blocked. The sphere returned to the left of the area where Ethan Nwaneri struck, but Keane Lewis-Potter pushed back (27th). Subsequently, launched in his left lane, Keane Lewis-Potter moved towards the surface and armed a shot which was deflected by David Raya, but the latter finally saved the danger in front of his line (28th). Brentford came close to doubling the lead. Shortly before the break, Arsenal bounced back. Following a mix-up at the entrance to the Brentford area, Thomas Partey struck hard towards the right of the goal where Mark Flekken pushed back. Gabriel Jesus followed well then concluded with a shot of his helmet going behind the back of Sepp van den Berg (29th, 1-1).

The Gunners are rolling!

During the second half, Arsenal continued as soon as they returned from the locker room. On a corner taken from the right by Ethan Nwaneri towards the Brentford goal. Mark Flekken, hampered by William Saliba, pushed back into the axis where Gabriel Jesus appeared to unleash a shot which was blocked by Sepp van den Berg. Mikel Merino followed and finished well, allowing the Londoners to take the advantage for the first time in the match (50th, 1-2). The Gunners were able to show resourcefulness to get back on track. On the right, Ethan Nwaneri crossed in front of the Brentford area towards Mark Flekken’s goal. Nathan Collins pushed back badly in the axis. Gabriel Martinelli was still present to follow well and finish on the right of the goal (53rd, 1-3). This is the Brazilian winger’s fifth goal in the Premier League this season. On the hour mark, Arsenal enjoyed their advantage with a long sequence of possession. Trailing and stunned, Brentford absolutely had to show much more if they wanted to limit the damage.

As the last half hour approached, Brentford could no longer really prove dangerous, while Arsenal controlled the tempo while remaining as enterprising as ever. On the left, Gabriel Martinelli overflowed, entered the area and served Gabriel Jesus in full run whose shot passed to the left of Mark Flekken’s goal (60th). Another long sequence of possession for Arsenal then took place. The Gunners managed to settle into the Brentford camp (67th). Brentford turned the ball around the Arsenal area without managing to get in (71st). Coach Thomas Frank attempted a quadruple change with the entries of Kim Ji-Soo, Paris Maghoma, Mathias Jensen and Kevin Schade (76th), which had little effect (1-3). In the standings, Arsenal moved back ahead of Nottingham Forest and once again became Liverpool’s runner-up, sitting in 2nd position, while Brentford was still scrutinizing the soft underbelly of the championship with this 12th place. Next weekend, the Gunners will travel to Brighton. The Bees will try to take a bite out of Southampton on Matchday 20 of the Premier League.