Arsenal lose the spark

They were eliminated against Manchester City in the FA Cup, lost their second league game of the season against Everton and, against Thomas Frank’s Brentford, they were unable to take all three points. All teams suffer potholes, and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has received his. Despite the poor performance of the Gunners During the first half, when the visitors deserved more than the Emirates Stadium box, Leandro Trossard seemed to be the one to return the London side to winning ways. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sergi Canós, former player of the Beesnow at Olympiacos, was able to smile after a hard week when Ivan Toney raised his shirt to dedicate the final 1-1 win. Although Pep Guardiola’s pupils still have to face their corresponding game on day 23 of the Premier League, the Citizens will have another opportunity against Aston Villa to cut points from the Premier League leader.

The grayest version of Arsenal

Active but little lucid. Bossy but innocuous. The start of the game by Mikel Arteta’s pupils, no matter how much ball possession they had, was not the best. The Gunners they did not stop looking for Bukayo Saka on the left flank and the English international did not stop hitting, or at least trying to, on it. Although without success. Against a very well-planted Brentford on the pitch and a very safe David Raya under the sticks, the internships of the local ‘7’ were not enough. This made those of Thomas Frank grow, to the point that they were the Bees who staged the first real danger action of the first half.

Only the crosshead saved Mikel Arteta’s men from starting the match below on the scoreboard. Before the first half hour, Ivan Toney hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from inside the box after a great combination on the edge of the box with Bryan Mbeumo. Now yes, Arsenal had to wake up. And who better than their fans to do it. Given the loss of presence suffered by the Gunners As the minutes went by, the acoustics and commotion at the Emirares Stadium kicked in. But not with those. Another powerful shot from the visitors’ offensive reference, this time from outside the area, forced Aaron Ramsdale to intervene. Arsenal was not there and Thomas Frank seemed to win the game, for the moment, over Mikel Arteta.

no time to celebrate

Even though the Gunners they came out with another face after 45 minutes, there was no way. Imprecise in passing, slow in circulation and harmless from set pieces, the first big chance after the break was also for Brentford. Ivan Toney had it again, but his low shot leaves brushing the stick. Arsenal did not react. It was then that Arsenal had no choice, once again, but to turn to the usual: their fans. Martin Ødegaard acted as captain, cheering the supporters from midfield Gunners and the Emirates Stadium responded. The injection of encouragement that Mikel Arteta’s men needed.

A few minutes later, the support of the stands materialized on the scoreboard. Leandro Trossard, whom Mikel Arteta had brought onto the field of play a few minutes before, scored his first goal with the London elastic at 66′. The Belgian finished off at the far post at will and, then yes, the temple Gunner exploded. But the visitors had not said their last word. Before the home team could even savor the 1-0 score, Ivan Toney scored the equalizer. The third time was the charm. After a series of rebounds inside the area, the English striker headed Christian Nørgaard’s extension into the back of the net. Brentford, VAR review through a possible offside, made it 1-1 with 15 minutes to go. A goal with a very special dedication and well worth a point for Thomas Frank’s men. While the Citizens celebrate the favor of Brentford, the Bees they are only five points away from Europe.