FRANK: I WON’T BUZZ OFF
At the same time, his defensive partner William Saliba gave a superb demonstration of his own power by heading Arsenal in front after just 17 minutes.
His flicked header from Bukayo Saka’s outswinging corner hit the far post and was clawed away by David Raya, but not before the ball had clearly crossed the line, as the technology confirmed a few moments later.
Arsenal continued to dominate and doubled the lead after 28 minutes when Xhaka clipped an uncharacteristically delicate chip into the area for Gabriel Jesus, straining his neck muscles, to power back across goal and past Raya.
His spiralling dance was in support of international teammate Vinicius Jnr, who was since his international recognition, there was nothing to aid his cause for a World Cup berth.
Envy
His Arsenal marker William Saliba even got on the scoresheet ahead of him with a deft flick from a corner before Gabriel Jesus doubled the lead. criticised in Spain for doing something similar in the Madrid derby.
The former City player then span away with his fingers to his ear, telephone-style — perhaps suggesting that Brazil coach Tite give him a call having overlooked him for the friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia.
Say
Effectively, the game was over before half an hour but, maybe because of Toney’s twitter intervention last season, Arsenal still had plenty to say for themselves.
They were at their most eloquent just after half-time, with new signing Fabio Vieira, in the starting line-up with Martin Odegaard injured, pausing 25 yards out to curl the ball home,
Dead-ball specialist Toney, who has scored all 18 penalties he has taken for the Bees, had to manufacture his only chance from a second-half free which he flicked up and volleyed over the bar.
And that was it. Not much chance of adding to his five goals and two assists this season. And even less of a dress in off the near upright.
With Brentford hardly able to lay a glove on Arsenal, Arteta could even treat Gunners fans to a glimpse of the future.
Change
He brought on Ethan Nwaneri — at 15 years and 181 days, the youngest-ever Premier League player — for the final few minutes, child protection rules forbidding him to change with the rest of the team.
“How s*** must you be, he’s only 15!” they sang, and “he’s got school in the morning!”
They finished with“Ivan
Toney, a stroll in the park”, proving you can send out a pretty strong message the oldfashioned way, without the need for social media. rehearsal for facing Italy and Germany over the next week. The closest he came to scoring was his social media own goal.
Toney might get one match to stake his England claim ahead of Tammy Abraham or Marcus Rashford this week. First and foremost, Gareth Southgate needs Harry Kane to stay fit.
But yesterday was revenge served cold by Arsenal. By the end of a one-sided contest, the travelling Arsenal fans sang: “Ivan Toney, a stroll in the park.”
Straight after the match, centre-back Gabriel repeated the original Toney tweet with a love heart. The score had been settled. Now Toney needs to move on to a different challenge.
Ramsdale .......................................... 7 White ................................................. 6 Saliba ................................................. 8 Gabriel ............................................... 7 Tierney .............................................. 7 Partey ................................................ 8 Xhaka ................................... 8 Vieira ................................................. 7 Saka .................................................. 7 Martinelli ........................................... 6 Jesus ................................... 9
Nketiah (Martinelli 78) Lokonga (Partey 78 mins) Tomiyasu (White 86) Marquinhos (Saka 90+2) Nwaneri (Vieira 90+2)
Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 14
Oct 1 Oct 6 Oct 9
Bournemouth (away) .... PL Newcastle (away) ......... PL Brighton (home) ........... PL
Tottenham (home) ........ PL Bodo/Glimt (home) ....... EL Liverpool (home) .......... PL
THOMAS FRANK has pledged his future to Brentford despite admiring glances from Premier League rivals.
Bees boss Frank was last week linked with Brighton and Leicester and took it as a big compliment, even if he insists he is not interested.
Asked about the links after the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, Frank said: “Very simple answer. I’m here at Brentford, very happy.
“Arsenal showed a lot of respect and we must have done something well.”
The Dane also insisted it is not a distraction.
He said: “Can’t speak for the players, but I’m reading very little, these rumours.
Aware
“I’ve been told to be a little aware of it if you get questions and of course it’s nice to be linked with it because we have done well.”
Brentford had an off day while Arsenal were at their best.
He added:
“It’s never as good as it looks and it’s never as bad as it feels.
“For example, when we beat Man United
4-0 it was well deserved but probably not 4-0 and today when we lost 3-0 to Arsenal, it was well deserved but maybe not as dominant as
3-0.
“They are the form team with Man City and to get anything we had to perform at 10 out of 10.
“But you could also see how much it meant to Arsenal.
“Look how they celebrated the first goal, big huddle.
“They had to work very, very hard.”