Match 7: Brentford 0 - 3 Arsenal

Setting the scene

In Arsenal's previous Premier League match a way at Manchester United, they suffered their first loss of the season and the end to a perfect record held this season. Sitting at the top of the table, Arsenal had to bounce back immediately in order to keep up their form regardless of the fact that they would remain top whatever the result against Brentford would be. Before this fixture, Brentford sat in 8th position with three draws and a loss from six whilst Arsenal had five wins and a loss from the same amount. With Zinchenko and Ødegaard both out with knocks, they were replaced by Tierney and Vieira respectively, with the latter earning his first start and out to prove that he can claim that spot for himself. Elsewhere, Thomas Partey returned to the Premier League line-up and was familiarly partnered with Granit Xhaka in central midfield. On paper, this is how Arsenal and Brentford lined up:

Arsenal once again set up with a very flexible formation style whereby they could switch between a 4-2-3-1,

3-2-5 and 2-3-5, with Partey occupying the midfield role in all of the styles and fullbacks like Tierney and White able to shift into the partnership with him as well as Xhaka remaining in the midfield position to allow Tierney or Martinelli to occupy the wide area. White would occupy this area the least and would only do so when Arsenal were in transition with Xhaka or Tierney providing the other option in the midfield three as shown below:

With the re-introduction of Thomas Partey into the squad, Arsenal were able to play with greater freedom during transition as he was able to effectively evade tackles and find his way out of pressure thus allowing other players greater freedom and ability to explore space. With Fabio Vieira making his first start, there were doubts on how well he would adapt to playing in the starting eleven, but he showed fantastic tactical awareness slotting right into Arteta's system and how this was accomplished will be addressed in the following section.

How it played out

Arsenal started the game very strong and Xhaka was able to create a big opportunity for Martinelli in the second minute of the game which the Brazilian was unable to convert due to losing his footing. This was the first of many chances in a game where Arsenal were able to dominate and showed the strengths of the positional play system implemented by Arteta. Throughout the game Arsenal were able to control the ball with 64% possession and 2.6x the amount of shots Brentford had. The total xG for the game was Brentford 0.53 - 1.52 Arsenal, giving an average xG per shot of 0.117 for Arsenal and 0.106 for Brentford. Despite this similarity, the quality and number of chances created was heavily in Arsenal's favour with the home team having 10 shot creating actions and Arsenal having 23 shot creating actions.

Arsenal were able to outclass Brentford from back to front- able to evade the Brentford press through positional interchange and clever combination play. Whilst Saliba and Gabriel were under pressure, Thomas Partey would consistently provide a passing option and draw out midfield players for Brentford allowing space for Vieira to drop into. This was seen multiple times throughout the game and Partey was frequently able to find a way out of pressure either by dribbling away from his markers or through a pass into Vieira. Thomas Partey was essential for keeping the team ticking and finished the match with the most completed passes on the pitch.

One way in which Arsenal were able to build from the back was by utilising the positional freedom of the wide players. On the right, Saka and Vieira would often drop deep to provide an option when the ball was played out to White, creating space for them and in the back line as Mee was frequently drawn out of position by Vieira. Through their interchange, Saka was often able to provide space out wide for White to run into through Vieira dropping off and occupying space, thereby forcing Mee, Jensen and Henry to track or close down Saka and allowing multiple opportunities for a pass to Vieira or an overlap by White. This was the case for the second goal as shown below. On the left hand side however, Arsenal utilised the same system used so far this season, but with a greater emphasis on Martinelli drifting into central positions and Xhaka dropping slightly deeper and allowing Tierney to provide width. This is a more traditional system than when playing Zinchenko over Tierney and allowed Xhaka more time on the ball when deeper and Martinelli to occupy more dangerous positions as was the case for the goal from Gabriel Jesus. Additionally, Xhaka was also able to make late runs into the area and drop deep to cover in defence or midfield when needed, a regular occurrence when Tierney would push higher and more central.

Arsenal were also able to dominate the ball due to Brentford's poor pressing. By committing one striker to pressing two centre backs and Mbuemo blocking passing routes, Arsenal were able to ensure a numerical advantage in their defensive third using Partey to drop deep with Jensen unable to press him due to the nearby presence of Vieira.

Throughout the game, Arsenal were consistently able to work upon their foundation and played with more freedom than normal, demonstrating their understanding of the system and how to operate creatively within it. This was clearly shown by the two open play created goals which were both built through the new Arsenal playing style but assisted and scored through individual brilliance.

Goal & Big Chance Analysis

2nd Minute: Brentford 0 - 0 Arsenal (Martinelli Chance)

Snapshot 1:

Vieira has received the ball on the right half-space and looks up for a pass. Martinelli, Saka and Jesus all occupy the space on the right forward area whilst Tierney provides the width on the left. Vieira opts for a pass to Gabriel who is off image.

Snapshot 2:

As Gabriel progresses the ball, the Brentford back line must shift across in order to cover the highlighted space. Martinelli drifts central whilst Xhaka begins a run into the space and Tierney continues to provide width on the left in order to keep the space open for a run from a central player.

Snapshot 3:

Xhaka darts into the space, allowing a passing option for Gabriel into Martinelli who finds himself loosely marked. Tierney keeps trying to exploit the space and providing a wide option.

Snapshot 4:

Martinelli opens up his body when the ball arrives at his feet, bypassing the defenders tackle who has left his defensive line to do so, exposing the space for Xhaka to receive Martinelli's pass.

Snapshot 5:

Xhaka attempts a cut-back for Martinelli who has made a run into the space around the penalty spot.

Snapshot 6:

Martinelli collects the ball but is unable to sort his feet out and slips in the process of taking the shot, making it easy for Raya to gather the ball.

28th Minute: Brentford 0 - 2 Arsenal (Jesus Goal)

Snapshot 1:

Vieira plays a ball across the midfield into Xhaka whilst the Brentford shape is in a 4-4-2 formation as Henry has been drawn out due to Saka's positioning.

Snapshot 2:

Xhaka feeds the ball into Tierney in order to keep the defence stretched since Hickey has been drawn out wide. Saka, Jesus and Martinelli are positioned near the three Brentford centre backs.

Snapshot 3:

Tierney plays the ball back towards Xhaka whilst Martinelli has dropped out of the front line to provide a passing option when the ball comes central and leaving Mee with no one to mark.

Snapshot 4:

Xhaka has the ball in a dangerous position around the area as Tierney makes a run towards into the space near the near post. Martinelli provides a passing option centrally but Xhaka opts for a fantastic ball into the space behind Jesus.

Snapshot 5:

Jesus is able to get his head to the ball and find the far corner with a fantastic header over Raya's head.

49th Minute: Brentford 0 - 3 Arsenal (Vieira Goal)

Snapshot 1:

Saliba spins Toney as he looks to bring the ball out of defence. His forward run draws Jensen away from Partey opening up the space for a pass.

Snapshot 2:

A quick one-two is played between Saliba and Partey as Arsenal look to beat the press. Saliba has White to the right of him and Vieira ahead as he searches for a pass.

Snapshot 3:

Saliba gives the ball to Vieira whilst Ben White begins an overlapping run on the outside.

Snapshot 4:

Vieira progresses the ball forwards before playing the ball out wide to Saka, bypassing the midfield in the process and giving Arsenal a numerical. advantage in the wide position.

Snapshot 5:

As Saka drives forwards Ben White continues his overlapping run, causing Henry to drift slightly in an attempt to cover the space. Vieira and Xhaka sit centrally with no players around them and the Brentford midfield and defence are drawn to Saka.

Snapshot 6:

Saka cuts inside and runs at Janelt who was previously keeping an eye on Vieira. This causes Janelt to close down Saka, opening up a lot of space for Vieira to receive the pass from Saka

Snapshot 7:

Vieira shows his cool as he curls in a stunning effort from long range which goes in off the post.

Prominent Arsenal Performances

MotM- Thomas Partey:

Thomas Partey played a pivotal role for Arsenal this game and was a key element in ensuring Arsenal could cycle play and keep possession. He demonstrated why he is so essential to the team with his ability to play his way out of pressure or draw a foul in order to give the team some breathing space. Partey had the awareness to always be an option for a pass resulting in a 100% completion of the 73 passes that were played to him, all of which were non-progressive passes showing how he is used in order to keep the ball when Arsenal can't find a way through the opposition defence. Additionally, his passing output was fantastic, completing the most passes on the pitch with a completion rate of 86.7%.

Key performance- Bukayo Saka:

Saka could easily have been the man of the match against Brentford. His dribbling was a constant threat for Brentford and he was able to create many inroads and opportunities for the team with 5 shot-creating chances through the match. He was able to bag two assists, one of which was an accurate corner and the other a simple pass to Vieira in a good position for him to shoot from range. Saka had the highest progressive carrying distance on the pitch which drove Arsenal forwards and put Brentford under a lot of pressure. He also played the second most progressive passes on the pitch, showing not only his own determination but highlighting the attacking intent and belief in this Arsenal side.

Disappointing performance- Gabriel Martnelli:

Similarly to Tierney in the match against Aston Villa, Martinelli did not have a bad game by any means. He was unlucky to slip whilst taking a shot in the early stages of the game, which would have been a very easy finish, but after that point, his game largely subsided. This is exemplified by him having the lowest progressive carrying distance out of the midfielders and attackers despite having the second most amount of dribbles. For context, Saka completed the greatest total distance of progressive carries on the pitch and had the same number of dribbles as Martinelli. However, he did not have a bad game and was tied with Saka for the most shot-creating actions on the pitch.

Area to improve

1. Pressing: Although Arsenal dominated the ball and allowed very few passes between their defence, causing their goalkeeper to play long passes 62% of the time, 50% of which were completed, there was often very little "intent" or determination from the Arsenal pressing. The pressing style was less about winning the ball back in dangerous positions and more about forcing Brentford into wasting a pass and building from there. In order to compete with the best teams, Arsenal should implement a pressing style more akin to that of Liverpool in order to capitalise on an out of position defence.