Second Viewing 2021-22 | Brentford vs. Arsenal

Lineup

4-2-3-1 from the onset for Arsenal, with no surprises the team selection once the Aubameyang and Lacazette absences became public. Bukayo Saka got the final 30 minutes, pushing Gabriel Martinelli centrally for ~10 minutes. Reiss Nelson got the final ~20.

The final substitution: Backup left back Nuno Tavares taking Calum Chambers’ spot at right back, despite two actual RBs being on the bench.

On to the game…

Minute by Minute

Analysis

Discussion of this game starts with the absence of Aubameyang and Lacazette, Arsenal’s two most experienced players and fully half of their most expensive signings ever. They might not have been any better with them. They certainly couldn’t have been worse.

Arsenal were run off the pitch by a hungrier, more disciplined Brentford side playing in their first ever Premier League game, and their first in the top flight since 1947.

Instead it was the Gunners who looked like Premier League newcomers. Arsenal took 22 shots, but accumulated a total xG of just 1.2 (0.05 xG per shot).

Eight came from outside the box. Only four were on target.

Nearly two years into Mikel Arteta’s reign as Arsenal manager, the team still looks bereft of attacking ideas. The team appears so reliant on the cross that they’re missing relatively easy opportunities through the middle:

Against Brentford, Arsenal’s sole modes of attack were the Tierney cross (of which he sent in 13), or asking Smith Rowe to beat two players to open space in behind. The Gunners showed little in the way of a plan B, even when Brentford overplayed the wings.

Collectively they were a disaster. Individually they weren’t much better.

Chart

Player Ratings

CB Ben White [+2 Att | -11 Def | -9 Ovr | 90 Mins]

Arteta’s shiny new toy instead resembled a bucket of rusty nails. As far as debuts go, White’s was, to put mildly, one to forget.

Twitter analysts seems to have focused on his inability to beat Ivan Toney in the air. I thought he was okay there.

Where he wasn’t was in repeatedly letting players in behind. For a player of his pace, that screams lack of concentration more than lack of ability. Calum Chambers and Bernd Leno bear the bulk of responsibility for the first goal conceded, but the only reason it’s a scoring chance in the first place is because White fails to track his runner:

He had three separate -2 sequences, the one above, and these two:

He did show glimpses. Arsenal bought him because he can do this:

That’s a 40-yard ball on a rope, and one that directly contributes to a scoring chance at the other end. More of that, less getting turned inside out, please.

CM Albert Sambi Lokonga [+1 Att | -1 Def | 0 Ovr | 90 Mins]

Arsenal’s other debutant had a considerably better showing. Forced into action because of the Thomas Partey injury, Sambi was everything White’s debut was not.

He was assured defensively:

…confident on the ball:

…and incisive with his passes:

Like any young player, there were times he tried to do too much:

I’d much rather that though, than the sideways passes we’ve come to expect from Mohamed Elneny.

LB Kieran Tierney [+5 Att | 0 Def | +5 Ovr | 90 Mins]

One of two starters to end the day greater than +1, Tierney was effectively Arsenal’s plan A, B, and C. He created Arsenal’s best scoring chance of the day:

Tierney attempted 13 (!) crosses on the day, completing five of them to the tune of 0.6 xA. No one would benefit more from a world class target forward than he would. I mean…

That is a delicious cross that bounces on the six-yard-box line. I could have clipped three others just like it. Needless to say, there was no surprise when, late in the game, he said “fuck it” and took one on himself:

Arsenal could do with another Tierney or two in the team.

CAM Emile Smith Rowe [+13 Att | 0 Def | +13 Ovr | 90 Mins]

Arsenal’s new number 10, Smith Rowe was unreal. We’ve all seen the turn about 100 times, but it’s too good to leave out:

He was central to everything good in Arsenal’s game. Look at his movement off the ball:

He played a part in nearly every scoring chance the Gunners created. Here he erases two players in midfield; three passes later, Arsenal are inside the six with an opportunity to score:

He’s not JUST technical. Look at his acceleration:

Smith Rowe was consistently around the ball, and far and away Arsenal’s most creative player:

His performance deserved better than a 2-0 loss.

Looking Ahead – Matchday 2: Chelsea

Chelsea were everything Arsenal weren’t last week—and that was without N’golo Kanté and Romelu Lukaku. Both are set to feature on Sunday against Arsenal.

The Gunners have made a habit out of taking points off of their London rivals of late though. Last year they took six points from six in the Premier League, and they beat them in the 2020 F.A. Cup Final just over a year ago.

Still, the gap between the sides remains massive. Chelsea won the Champions League last season. Arsenal didn’t even qualify for Europe.

With Gabriel still out injured and Pablo Marí looking incapable of playing Arteta’s high line, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arsenal make adjustments at the back. That could mean Rob Holding coming in for Marí, or even a complete formation shift to three at the back. Goodness knows something different is needed.

Call me crazy, but I think Arsenal nick points off Chelsea again. Martin Ødegaard imminent return should give the Gunners an additional technical player in attack, and I’m not convinced Lukaku will hit the ground running.

Prediction: Arsenal 1 – 1 Chelsea