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A late winner from Kai Havertz saw Arsenal secure a hard fought victory over Brentford to go top of the Premier League.
Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Liverpool meant a victory against Thomas Frank's side would have seen the north Londoners move to the top. However, it was the Bees who looked most likely to score as both Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko both cleared efforts off the line.
Leandro Trossard thought he had given Arsenal the lead when he latched onto a rebound from a header from Gabriel Jesus, but the Belgian was found to be offside by VAR. Wwith the contest looking set to peter out to a draw, Bukayo Saka found Kai Havertz at the back post with a perfect cross, and the former Chelsea forward bundled a header home for his finest moment since joining Arsenal. Daily Star Sport looks at what Mikel Arteta did wrong against Brentford, despite the three points.
Lack of a focal point
READ MORE: Furious Mauricio Pochettino cancels Chelsea day off after Newcastle humiliation
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsdale makes huge howler as Arsenal fans say 'that's why you're not number one'
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Pitted against three hefty central defenders in Kristoffer Ajer, Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee, Gabriel Jesus had quite the job on his hands. The Brazilian recently admitted goal scoring was not one of his strength and that appeared to be the case once again here.
He constantly moved around the pitch to dry and drag the defenders out to follow him. However, the back three ensured they did not get stuck in, resulting in the Gunners playing meaningless passes without posing any real threat.
Perhaps it was fatigue from a quick international break turnaround and a long flight from Brazil. Either way, Jesus did not look to have his usual sharpness against Brentford.
All out attack
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Arteta knew he had to break down a watertight defence. So, inevitably, he named Gabriel Jesus, Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard in the starting eleven.
However, it was his seventh attacking introduction in Havertz who eventually broke the deadlock. At times, the starting five looked to be getting in each other's way, such was their desire to occupy the spaces in front of the Brentford defence. Eddie Nketiah and Havertz both looked to get in behind the defence and look for a through ball.
It was in that exact fashion which saw the Gunners break the deadlock and secure the win.
Witless without White
Ben White is one of the most unique defenders in the Premier League, and the Gunners looked like they missed his inventiveness from the back. With White missing the victory against Burnley before the international break, Arteta opted to start Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of the England international.
While the Japanese star is a dependable defender, White's ability to thread a pass through an opponent's lines and step into the midfield is vital to the Gunners' build-up play and their possession. Tomiyasu performed admirably and did not embarrass himself at the G-Tech Community Stadium.
However, the lack of cutting edge in Arsenal's build-up play was clear for all to see.
Aaron Ramsdale
With David Raya suspended, Arteta has no other choice but to start Ramsdale. However, the ex-Sheffield United goalkeeper looked nervous from the start of the match until the finish.
He was bailed out by the excellent Declan Rice when he was caught with the ball at his feet by Bryan Mbeumo, who saw his team-mate's open goal be cleared off the line by the ex-West Ham skipper. Whatever the reasoning behind Arteta's decision to bring Raya in at the start of the season, it has resulted in both goalkeepers looking shaky and under-pressure.
Ramsdale did manage to regain his composure and keep a clean sheet. However, it was a difficult afternoon for the former England international. If there continues to be a lack of clarity between Ramsdale, Raya and Arteta, then the Gunners' boss should expect more nerve-wracking evenings.
- Arsenal FC
- Mikel Arteta
- Brentford FC
- Premier League
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