This weekend’s Premier League action saw a huge set of fixtures for the top 3 sides, with Arsenal taking on Brentford at the Emirates and a mouthwatering clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at the Etihad. Results going the right way for the Gunners would see them return to the summit of the league for the first time since Christmas.
Mikel Arteta made two changes to a side that hammered Sheffield United, with Leandro Trossard replacing the injured Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale replacing David Raya.
A superb ball into the box saw Declan Rice leap high and head home into the back of the net to send Arsenal into a well-deserved lead.
Despite chances for Arsenal to double their lead, the first half looked to be heading to an uneventful close. That was until a lapse in concentration from Aaron Ramsdale saw his clearance end up in the back of his own net right on the halftime whistle. Arsenal now had it all to do again in the second half.
The second half saw Arsenal control the tempo and the flow of the game, however almost went behind on two occasions had it not been for two quality saves from Ramsdale, making up for his earlier mistake.
Time was beginning to run out for the gunners, with just 5 minutes of normal time they needed a goal. A pattern of link-up play between skipper Martin Ødegaard and Ben White provided the Arsenal right back with enough space to float a ball into the box. He perfectly picked out Kai Havertz who made no mistake and buried the ball past Mark Flekken to send the Emirates into oblivion.
Arsenal were able to hold onto all 3 points, a significant achievement that demonstrates the difference in mentality from last year, a game that saw Arsenal drop key points at home to Brentford. No such mistake was made this time around.
The result that followed on Sunday would certainly have encouraged Arsenal supporters all across the world, with a draw between Liverpool and Man City leaving Arsenal top of the league with 10 games to go.
Awaiting Arsenal now is a crucial Champions League knockout tie at the Emirates. Mikel himself has encouraged every fan in that stadium tomorrow night to make as much noise as possible:
“The stadium is going to have an energy you have never seen in your life. Bring your noise, bring your passion and something beautiful is going to happen.”
So to every Gooner attending tomorrow (myself included), I echo Mikel’s message to get behind the team from the very first minute to the very last.
So tomorrow, Arsenal take on Porto at the Emirates Stadium. The stakes? A place in the Champions League quarter-finals, for the first time since 2010.
The post Arsenal reclaim top spot – Arsenal 2-1 Brentford appeared first on AFTV.
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