If anything, one could have been forgiven for thinking Brentford’s players knew more about the course and distance. And who wants players who failed to get Arsenal into Europe last season? Who wants the team that lost 2-0 at Brentford? There was a world of difference in Premier League experience between these sides, but that did not show. They are rebuilding a squad but that involves moving on many of the current personnel. Midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe was a driving force for Arsenal but couldn't drag his side to a goal as familiar problems persisted What are Arsenal under Arteta? A team in transition? Seriously, again? Arsenal appear to have been transitioning for a decade or more now, under three managers. Brentford with a philosophy and a self-belief that Arsenal simply do not have anymore. Friday night’s encounter could not have been more different. Brentford had already been relegated Arsenal won. A time when England could play Portugal and win 10-0, as they had a day earlier. It was May 26, 1947, when Brentford last played a game in the top division of English football. Better in the first-half and resilient under pressure in the second when Arsenal tried to mount a revival. Brentford, it must be said, were magnificent. Ben White failed to deal with it and Christian Norgaard arrived with more intent than Arsenal’s defence combined to power it past Bernd Leno, who seemed as bemused by events as anybody.Īnd that was Arsenal done. And what was true then is true now.īrentford substitute Mads Bech Sorensen launched one, Ivan Tomey rose with Callum Chambers and Pablo Mari, neither of whom showed the necessary conviction, and the ball bounced – actually bounced, like in a kids’ game – in the six yard box. Since the days of Tony Pulis and Rory Delap at Stoke. How long have we been saying that now? Since long before the end of Arsene Wenger’s time. It was a very Brentford goal to score, forged at a training ground beneath Heathrow’s flight path, and a terribly Arsenal goal to concede, a comedy of soft, defensive errors from players who should have learnt by now.įorget corners, Arsenal can’t even defend throw-ins. Arsenal only came into the game at the start of the second-half and any momentum they built ended when Brentford scored their second goal on 73 minutes. On the night, and for the hard yards getting here.
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