ROLE REVERSAL
Gunners gain revenge on Bees to close on top four
SUDDENLY six months seems a very long time ago for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal were talked about as relegation contenders after three straight defeats at the start of a campaign that started with a horrible 2-0 defeat to Brentford. And Arteta (right) was feeling the pressure. But in yesterday’s return they were far more impressive than this scoreline suggested thanks to Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka getting on target – with Gunners fans loudly singing their names to Rocking All Over The World at the finish. Now they are now just a point off the Champions League spots with two games in hand to complete quite a turnaround in fortunes since August. Arteta recalled: “It was an unbearable time. It hurt and we learnt a lot as a team. “But we were united and that was a game-changer. “No one was blaming each other, everyone wanted to contribute and no one was hiding. That transmitted to the staff. “It’s a long way to go but we are a bit closer to the top four. “I’m very happy and we have to enjoy this journey. “We want to win every game. We want a big purpose to the season. Things can change very quickly.
“Emile and Bukayo love their song, they are players who have been playing well in our system.
They take the responsibility and manage to win games – that is very impressive at their age.”
Arsenal have been helped by a lack of games – this was only a fourth Premier League fixture of 2022 for Arteta’s men.
But they played with such confidence and verve in attack.
And the only criticism is they should have had a hatful having had 24 shots in this match.
Saka side-footed into the side netting, then saw a deflected shot saved by David Raya after Alexandre Lacazette had gone down under two Brentford challenges.
Lacazette had a goal disallowed for offside and then headed over from Cedric Soares’ cross before firing wide from an excellent position.
Brentford could not get out of their own half with Arsenal calling for a penalty when Cedric’s shot appeared to catch Yoane Wissa’s arm.
It was a major surprise that Arsenal did not find the net in the first half – but it took just three minutes to put things right in the second.
It was a fine goal – Smith Rowe drove down the left, cut in and fired low past Raya.
Arsenal secured the points 10 minutes from the end with Thomas Partey setting up Saka.
Their day did end in on a bit of a low as Christian Norgaard converted in injury time, with VAR awarding the goal after it had been originally ruled offside. Brentford severely missed Ivan Toney again and now sit only six points above the bottom three.
But boss Thomas Frank said: “Ivan is a big player for us, he should be available for Newcastle next week. We need that extra quality and Christian Eriksen will come into the team.
“We faced a very good Arsenal side, they showed why they have come quite far.
“They are big contenders for the top four.”