One to file under ‘bad day at the office’. Brentford welcomed Arsenal to the GTech on Sunday lunchtime and left on the wrong end of a 3-0 reverse. The destruction of Leeds United last time out now nothing more than a happy memory rather than something that could have been used as a springboard to even bigger and better things. The 11th hour posptponment of our game at Southampton following the death of Queen Elizabeth II very much slamming the brakes on our momentum. In an understandably muted GTech yesterday, it was our visitors who were able to pick up where they’d left off before – the top of the Premier League table.
There are no regrets on this side. No anger. Arsenal outplayed and outclassed Brentford at every step of the way. Thomas Frank’s decision to opt for three centre backs one designed to try and contain our opponents. It had worked so well last season but this time around we seem to have settled (been pushed into) more of a more traditional back four. A set up that allowed us to attack en-masse with the two full backs still pushing up. Instead, The Bees began on the back foot and struggled to get beyond that. The visitors going for the jugular from the off and giving us little or no breathing space in a midfield that was still missing Christian Norgaard. With little news on his longer term recovery, one can’t imagine he will be back and match fit any time soon.
On the plus side, Ethan Pinnock was hanging with Buzz and Buzzette outside the ground before kick off. The prognosis for his own return something the player said would be after right International break. Good news indeed, although who then misses out the sort of problem Thomas Frank must relish trying to unravel.
That’s one for the future, for now it is all about Brentford and Arsenal. The Gunners brutal. Devastating. Giving a clear demonstration of why they are the only team in the land keeping Manchester City off the top of the table. The sternest test faced by The Bees so far this season by some distance. It was a test we had no chance of passing after William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus had given our guests a two goal lead with less than a half hour on the clock. Two headers. Two goals. Too bad for Brentford. The midfield packed tighter than a pair of Tom Jones’ jeans. Our own Triple Js – Jensen, Janelt and Josh Dasilva – unable to make any real headway. Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey putting in the hard yards down the flanks.
Bryan Mbeumo with the closest chance just prior to half-time but that was it. Very much playing second fiddle on an afternoon where the atmosphere was the only thing flatter than the pint of Guinness served up during the interval. Truly the worst pint I’ve ever experienced – and there have been some bad ones over the years. Brentford very much with a problem clearing our lines, it would seem. Not for the first time yesterday.
If anything, it set the mood for what came next. Fabio Vieira ending any thoughts of a fairytale comeback for Brentford within minutes of the restart. His shot from outside the box beating everybody to fly home off the inside of the post. It was devastating. Game over, Man. Game over. Anther forty minutes to struggle through. The only feasible option left being that of goal difference containment. Something David Raya did his level best to maintain. Arsenal, on the other hand, when not attacking doing everything possible to channel all of football’s dark arts. Injuries. Niggles. Time wasting. Cramp. Hammy pratfalls. Referee Mr. Coote unable, or seemingly unwilling, to do anything about any of it.
The sad thing being there was no need for any of it. They were the better team on this occasion. We haven’t been owned this much since Matthew Benham took over. It just gave an ever more frustrating feel to an already frustrating afternoon. Any thoughts of coherent flowing football snuffed out by shenanigans and shithousery. Arsenal, the only team to sit down longer than popular music’s James.
That’s on them. They won. So it could be said that the gameplan worked. To be honest, a strangely muted Brentford team could have still been playing now and I don’t think we’d have found a way through. One Ivan Toney free kick momentarily suggesting a replay of ‘that’ moment against Leeds United but it went over. Mikkel Damsgaard also with a half-chance but that was about it. Hats off to Arsenal. Likewise their fans who, along with the Bees, gave the perfect display during the pre-match silence, the national anthem and then the 70th minute applause.
For me, the applause on the 32nd minute for Robert Rowan was equally poignant. This with the feeling of much more a spontaneous, personal and fan lead gesture. We’ll never forget.
The sad news continuing late into the night when the GPG shared this update…
There can’t be many amongst us who didn’t know or, at the least, recognise Howard. An absolute legend of Griffin Park and a Bee through and through. Along with former manager Fred Callaghan’s sad passing also being announced, it’s been a sad week all round. I’m sure the club will do all they can to remember these two Bees’ legends when we are all together again for Brighton.
For now, time for International break. We’ve the the small matter of Ivan Toney in the England squad. Friday night in Italy could be a whole lot of fun. What price on him to score ? Well, 13/8 for an anytime bet. I might make a small investment. Purely for research purposes.
The only other unfinished business from the game yesterday is that of our Star Man and top five player awards. That piece has gone live and you can find it here….
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
Most important thing first the passing of two Brentford/Griffin Park greats Fred Callaghan and Howard “Billy the Fish” Billings. Both legends in their own right …. and for those of us of a certain age they’re both indelible etched in our minds of Brentford history late 20th century.
The game ….. well we sat deep against a team of past masters of keep ball …. not a clever tactic. Arsenal don’t like it in their face and getting roughed up. We did neither. Our midfield was virtually non-existent …. thereby letting Arsenal boss the midfield. I don’t think this is a great Arsenal team personally ….. they’ve only played against one top six team so far ….and were beaten so the table is a bit smoke and mirrors at the moment. I’d put money on Arsenal achieving only a Europa position at best this season. If teams look at them and think we’re going to play rough and in their face Arsenal will drop points. They don’t like that game plan against them …. there’s no steel or hard men in their team to deal with it or dish it out. Which is all the more disappointing we didn’t test them with that game plan. Norgaard missing is massive for us …. let’s not underestimate that. He rarely loses tackles and if he does he hunts them down like a dog possessed!
There’s enough on the bench that can play the rough physical game …. Onyeke ,Baptiste. Zonal marking is questionable …nothing worse defensively than seeing Hickey for example chasing a man down only for the man to run out of “Hickeys zone” to carry on and skip past another midfielder/defender.
We didn’t show up yesterday and Arsenal had an easy ride …. I don’t think Arsenal are top 4 stuff and sides that bully them will get points.
Thomas’s post match comments should be less about blowing smoke up Arsenals arse and admitting he got his tactics wrong and the fact we didn’t turn up.
He said other than Arsenal and a few other teams our performance would have warranted a draw at least or better a win against most teams ….. hmmm not sure about that Thomas …. time to take your rose tinted specs off and hold your hands. No shame in that.
Anyway onwards and upwards COYB’s
How original. They don’t like it up em! Crystal Palace drew at Anfield. Bees beat Man U. Arsenal thrashed the Bees. They’re doing ok.