Sunday lunchtime has The Bees back in action. Our first game since Ivan Toney was called up for the England squad. No doubt set for another nice kick about with the boys. Table topping Arsenal the visitors but with confidence sky high following the 5-2 tanking of Leeds United last time out, we won’t be afraid of anyone who might try to play in our house. Guys there is only one team on that f**king pitch – and it’s us! Just ask Jesse Marsch. Or Erik ten Hag. Yet with the trip to Southampton curtailed following last Friday’s news about The Queen, could momentum have been lost? Or will it be seen as an extra game in the back pocket ahead of returns for Ethan Pinnock and Christian Norgaard (errr…)? Sergi Canos has already been deemed fit for the weekend. What price a return from the bench and another moment to match last season? You know, when he scored our opening goal in a game where the The Bees beat the Gunners and topped the Premier League.
Of course, this time around it is Arsenal who have come flying out of the traps. Their 3-1 defeat at Manchester United in the previous fixture being the only reverse on an otherwise unblotted copy book. Five wins on the bounce prior to this has seen them top of the league table going in to this weekend’s abridged fixture list and, to be fair, looking magnificent. Manchester City may have traded in Gabriel Jesus but he has found his feet, fast. Granted, not as fast as Erling Haaland at the Ethiad but, to be fair, not even Ivan is banging them in that quickly.
Arteta’s other impressive summer signing from City, Oleksandr Zinchenko, is unlikely to feature in this one. Thankfully. He is one of several injury-related question marks but the strength in depth they now have means that whomever features in the first XI is sure to provide a top (top) level threat. Then again, one could say the same about Brentford. Whilst Manchester United was the headline grabber, for me the performance agasint Leeds United was up there with our most impressive in years. Ben Mee just magnificent at the back and, on any other day, would have been star man in this game by a country mile.
Then, Ivan stepped up and did his thing. Three goals of the highest quality. A trademark penalty, ‘that’ free kick and then the presence of mind and calmness of finish to hold his position until executing that quite delightful chip over half the Leeds defence. No wonder Marsch took his frustration out on Keith Stroud. Jesse hold on. As popular music’s B*Witched once sang. As if any could forget the double-denim sporting toe-tappers’ first single not to top the hit parade.
We digress. As ever. C’est la vie. Ivan very much the man of the moment. Arsenal the team on fire. The game one to absolutely whet the appetite. If for no other reason given what happened last season in what a first ever fixture at this level for just about all Bees’ fans, barring a few. It’s a quite incredible memory to have but, equally, one to now recall in fond terms rather than rely on as any barometer of form. That was then. This is now. Both teams have changed. Both teams are better. With Thomas Frank utilising his five substitutes every game, Brentford are very much set up with a starting and finishing XI. Yoanne Wissa very much doing his thing from the bench in quite delightful style. Aaron Hickey giving Rico Henry a run for his money down the opposite flank.
And, for the record, how Rico has missed out on England selection is a question I’d love to put to Gareth Southgate. Gareth, if you are reading… ok, he isn’t, but I can’t be alone in wondering that one. Moreso, given some of the out of form ’staples’ selected once again. Rico’s chance will come and what better time or place to show why he should have been called up than Sunday at the G-Tech. I’m sure the England coach will be in attendance and whilst, of course, Ivan Toney will understandably be the centre of everyone’s attention, let’s not put it past Rico to show what he has too.
I can’t wait for the one. The decision to cancel football last weekend, when every other sport continued as per, a decision I am struggling with. Surely it should have been all or nothing ? We can’t change it now but we can make up for lost time. The build up and conclusion will likely be more sombre than normal – the announcement from the club telling you that – but once referee David Coote gets things underway you can bet on the roof being lifted off.
The other Brentford story form the week was another home shirt. Whilst, of course, we’ve blazed trails in retaining last season’s kit, there has been a slight tweak. A quite wonderful tweak. Long sleeves are back. Almost non-existent amongst any Premier League team, Umbro have supplied us with this most wonderful of features. As a complete and self-confessed shirt nerd it has always been my default choice, albeit one denied since the Championship (one of a few yellow Skyex aways, obtained c/o ‘other sources’, aside). Now they’re back. The club shop has them in stock and this Sunday will see yours truly wearing it in anger.
Perhaps with a jacket, given the weather has turned…
Leeds United fell apart (again) a fortnight ago. You can catch up on all of that, here. Will it be Arsenal’s turn on Sunday? I can’t wait to find out. See you there.
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
That remark by Toney was used to fire up his team just ahead of the reverse fixture. Best left unsaid.