Arsenal 0-0 Brentford LIVE: Table-topping Gunners survive an early scare as the high-flying Bees hit the woodwork in the first half… as Mikel Arteta’s men look to re-establish eight-point lead
Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Brentford.ย
Host commentator
Here we go – second half is underway!
So as we’ve said, there’s a big 45 coming up for Arsenal.
The crowd were still fully behind their players, but there was a hint of nerves creeping into the Emirates Stadium, and it will be interesting to see what happens when we get to 10/15 minutes left.
There are some good options on the bench – Trossard and Jorginho spring to mind – but it seems like Arsenal might have to change their approach in this second period to have the best chance of taking something away from this one.
Brentford just have to maintain their concentration at the moment, and they should be able to get through relatively unscathed.
We’re about to get going again in the second period – will it be more of the same, or will we get an early opener to open things up a bit?
Let’s find out.
All-square still.
We go in all-square after an excellent first-half performance ๐
๐ด 0-0 ๐#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/nlriR47UKR
โ Goalless at the break
๐ Let's keep pushing pic.twitter.com/C8l4KiXHHk
Ivan Toney’s effort has been the closest we’ve come to an opener in this one, and there’s an argument that Thomas Frank will be disappointed by what he’s seen.
Arsenal have been bright with the ball at their feet getting up the pitch, but they have really struggled to get through the low block of the Bees.
Nketiah has been well nullified by the visitors, and has hardly had a sniff, while the usually prolific Saka and Martinelli have been restricted to a few half-chances by the Brentford deefence.
Brentford have been more than an obstacle, though, and have had the two best chances of the half through Henery and Toney, but the ball still hasn’t found it’s way into the goal.
Plenty to be happy about for Frank at the break, but he will probably be thinking that his side should be ahead.
A big 45 minutes needed from Arsenal, who will want to remind the rest of the country why they’re at the top of the league after last week’s defeat and a relatively quiet first half at home.
And that’s that for the first period!
Nketiah does brilliantly to carry the ball clear and must carry it about 60 yards up the pitch before Roerslev recovers to get the ball out for a throw.
Arsenal are finishing the half the stronger, and have several crosses blocked in quick succession as they look for a timely opener.
We’ll have two minutes added on here.
Arsenal look to have a bit of confidence back with several quality triangular quality passing moves, but it’s still not enough to carve any openings.
Brentford have stayed firm to their credit, and are on the verge of finishing a very good haf of football on the road.
Close from the Gunners – and it would surely have been foal of the season.
White overlaps Saka once again on the right and hangs up a great ball into the back post.
It finds Xhaka clear in the box, who heads it to the edge of the area for Martinelli to hit on the volley, but it’s just over the bar.
Well-worked from the hosts.
Saliba wins a free-kick off Toney – that’s a brilliant battle already.
Toney doesn’t need to give the foul away though, and Odegaard can put the ball into a dangerous area from out on the right flank.
It’s a decent ball, but Toney gets a head on it and the Bees can clear.
Arsenal win the corner after a good cross to the back stick from White, and Roerslev is forced to concede the set-piece.
Arsenal take it short, but don’t make much use of it and win a throw on the opposite flank.
Arsenal are now coming under pressure from the visitors, who are trying to move the action area further and further up the pitch.
It brings a succession of half-chances – more like quarter-chances – to the Bees before Arsenal carry the ball away and look to attack through Zinchenko.
It’s good defensive shape from the Bees, though, and Zinchenko is forced into a pass that he can’t quite execute.
Toney then has an effort from range that moves dramatically in the air and draws a good stop from Ramsdale.
It was a really strong start from the hosts, but Brentford have done really well to get a foothold in the game and restrict the dynamic attackers that the Gunners can unleash.
The Bees have been compact in defence, and the hosts have visibly struggled for fluency in attack as a result.
Toney wins a foul on the halfway line after Saliba drags him down, but it’s really good centre-forward play from the English striker.
Martinelli looks to have picked up a bit of a sore one to the face and is getting a little bit of treatment, but he’s back up and raring to go in no time.
Arsenal are pulled up when about to launch an attack for a foul and it’s a free-kick for Brentford.
just over 10 minutes to go in this first half that has absolutely flown by.
It’s another corner for Brentford after White concedes the corner, and it’s another good opportunity for Brentford to get the big men involved.
Ben Mee comes so close to getting the goal, and it’s a real centre-half’s header in the box, but he gets across the ball and it slams into Martinelli.
It’s really poor marking though and Arsenal get away with another one.
And we’re straight down the other end and it’s a compact and resolute Brentford that keep Arsenal out once more.
Brentford have done really well to spot the out-ball that Mbeumo offers on the left, and he has done well to get straight back up the pitch from a deep defensive position several times this afternoon already.
Arsenal get a free-kick after a coming together between Norgaard and Partey.
Should score!
Ivan Toney has his head in his hands – but he did so well in the build-up.
Arsenal struggle to clear the ball, and Toney and Mbeumo pounce on it.
The Cameroonian gets his head up and cuts the ball back into the middle of the box, and Toney lashes a strike on goal but it clatters into the crossbar.
Brentford are back on the defensive now, and have all 11 men back behind the ball.
Odegaard wriggles clear on the right to send the ball into the box, but it’s repelled and Martinelli wins a corner.
Odegaard launches it toward Martinelli un marked on the edge of the box, but it is cleared by Brentford.
The first goes short, where will the second go?
Mbeumo sends it into the mix, but it’s cleared relatively easily and it goes all the way back to Raya.
The Spaniard launches it towards Norgaard in the Arsenal box, but over hits it.
It’s a big early physical battle, and it brings another corner off a Pinnock strike at the near post.
Brentford have only had 23% of the ball so far, but they don’t seem to be phased at all.
An attack down the left-hand side yields a corner – can the big men make use?
Raya once again called into action – he’s been a busy boy this afternoon already.
Martinelli and Zinchenko combine down the left, and the Ukrainian drops his shoulder and bursts into the box to have a crack, but it’s just too close to the Spanish goalkeeper.
You get the feeling that the Gunners feel they have a point to prove, they’re attacking this one with plenty of energy.
Arsenal are appealing for a penalty with Saka down in the box.
The English forward has the ball at his feet and plays a good one-two to burst into the box, but with Henry’s hands seemingly in his back he stays on his feet in order to get his shot away.
Raya saves comfortably and Saka goes down, but there’s nothing coming from it.
Toney has offered a few warning signs of the physicality that he can bring against the Arsenal defence, but it’s Arsenal who look the more likely to score.
A Gunners attack looks to carry a bit of bite with it through the middle of the pitch, but Odegaard’s pass is over hit and runs out for a goal kick.
Partey and Zinchenko combine well down the left, but Roerslev does really well to force the Ukrainian back.
The hosts remain patient and keep the ball in the left corner for a few more phases, but it bounces clear to Raya.
Brentford then have the ball in the back of the net but it’s pulled back for a foul in the build-up.
But the hosts loook to be going through the gears now. Martinelli does brilliantly to play a one-two with Odegaard and darts in behind the back four for the Norwegian to find him.
He draws Raya out of his goal and earns a corner for the Gunners.
He is frighteningly quick once he gets going.
Zinchenko has a dig from inside the box from the corner, but cuts underneath it and it sails over the bar.
But it’s the visitors who have the best chance of the game so far.
Ivan Toney gets the ball out on the attacking right-hand side, and he sends a brilliant ball in to the centre of the box.
Rico Henry goes to meet it on the penalty spot, but Ramsdale does well to close down the angle, and he puts off the left-wing back enough that the shot is off target.
He should have done better with that chance, though, and he’ll hope his not made to rue his mistake soon.
It’s been a pretty fast start for the hosts, who look to get on the ball early on and have already got every player on the ball at least once.
The atmosphere is pretty frenetic as the supporters look to buoy their side on to another blistering start.
Odegaard has a shot blocked on the edge of the box.
Ivan Toney was the only player on the pitch not to kneel ahead of kick-off.
The Brentford star has been vocal in his opinion of the gesture, and looks set to continue with his own stand over the next two weekends.
He said last season: ‘’Everyone agrees we have been taking the knee for however long now and still nothing has changed.
‘We are kind of being used as puppets.’
And we’re live!
It’s an interesting match up, with Brentford favouring a back 3/5.
Arteta’s side famously like to pop the passes around the edge of the box and look for the opening if they can’t hit you on the counter, so you would expect the visiting side to stand very rigid at the back in an attempt to stop that from happening.
Arsenal’s latest anthem ‘North London Foreveer’ – the verdict is still out on that one – gets a quick burst before the players all take the knee.
There’s a huge roar from the Emirates to welcome the players onto the pitch, as they walk past a massive banner bearing the No Room For Racism logo.
Another banner goes around the fans reading ‘Love is Love’.
They’re lining up in the tunnel, and there’s a look of supreme confidence on those Arsenal faces.
Ramsdale in particular is looking very relaxed – don’t think I can think of a time I’ve seen him looking anything less than 100 per cent confident in himself, in fairness.
Brentford have emerged now, and the first thing you notice is just how tall that Bees XI is – Ajer in particular is a giant next to compatriot Odegaard, as the pair shake hands ahead of the game.
Time for those final preparations…
โ๏ธ Going through the gears
Kick-off ๐ pic.twitter.com/qOcNP1yFvr
A little more than ten minutes now to go in this one – and it is sure to be a huge 90 minutes in the title race.
A win could see all the wind that has been in their sails thus far return to Arsenal, but a draw or a loss could see City make up important ground in their pursuit of the leaders.
Arteta will also have an eye on the midweek clash with City, which promises to be one of the matches of the season.
Will he look to rest a few of his stars later in the game if the Gunners are winning?
Or will he be more keen on seeing out a result.
Brentford would love to have a say in the narrative of the title this afternoon, that’s for sure.
Brentford, perhaps surprisingly, have the second longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (9).
Only Newcastle (16) have gone longer without suffering defeat in the top-flight.
The visitors could also record their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the top-flight for the first time.
They last managed as many games in 2020.
๐#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/2uqiw8GgMY
๐ On location#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/y2597Ho9OM
Back in the side this afternoon ๐ช#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/D5Btozon7Q
Arsenal arrived at their home ground a little earlier, with quite an eye-catching doorman on duty at the Emirates.
Weโve arrived ๐
๐ Emirates Stadium pic.twitter.com/m5VbCgXORg
๐จ Designs on display
Our new Emirates Stadium artwork, created by the Arsenal family โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/EzbOsuQRV7
Arsenal are looking to complete a league double over the Bees, having beaten them 3-0 earlier in the season in west London.
Should the Gunners manage it they’ll have secured a 47th double over one team, beating them home and away.
No other team has ever managed more.
This fixture – as with all games over the next two weekends – will feature heavy coverage of No Room For Racism, with the logo and branding set to be visible all over the Emirates.
And players will be taking a knee ahead of kick-off to support the campaign, which aims to underline that discrimination of any kind has no place in sport.
๐พ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ. ๐พ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ.
We all have a role to play to show there is #NoRoomForRacism pic.twitter.com/lMG0evGlOK
So as we’ve mentioned Arsenal lost last week to a surprisingly outstanding Everton, so they’ll need a big performance this afternoon to bounce back in the perfect way.
And as a result of that shock upset last time out, Gunners legend Paul Merson thinks that it’s a game that Arteta and Co ‘HAVE’ to win in north London.
Read all about what the ex-striker had to say about the game at the link below.
So the Gunners make no changes – something of a recurring theme this season – as they look to bounce back from that surprise loss last week.
Brentford however make a few tweaks, with Hickey, Wissa and Dasilva drop out to make way for Ajer, Roeslav and Janelt, as the visitors look to have switched tactics to go with a back five this afternoon – at least on paper!
Brentford were very impressive against Southampton for their 3-0 win last weekend, but can they pull off another upset and consign the Gunners t two consecutive defeats for the first time all season?
And the visitors…
Your Bees starting XI this afternoon โค๐#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE | @bluejeansnet
Here’s how the home side are lining up then…
๐ด ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โช๏ธ
๐งฑ White at the back
๐ช Odegaard in midfield
๐ Eddie leading the line
Letโs get back to winning ways – together! pic.twitter.com/k4Vzje7BcX
We’ll be getting the official XIs in just a few moments, but there are a few names we know won’t be turning out today.
Arsenal will once again be without injured pair Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus, who will remain out of the side for some time still.
Joining them on the medical table are Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, who are also expected to miss out.
For the visitors, three faces are absent for today, with Pontus Jansson, Thomas Strakosha and Frank Onyeka all unavailable.
The Bees have already arrived and taken a look around the venue…
๐ฝ POV: You are arriving at the Emirates#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/WZsrD5VdXM
It’s not exactly the game that springs instantly to mind when you hear the words “London derby”, but there’s still plenty of bite in this one.
Brentford famously shocked the Gunners on their first taste of Premier League action, and there was a hint of histrionics after the game with Ivan Toney goading a few of the Arsenal players.
And the numbers suggest it’s one of the most evenly-contested of cross-town clashes – both sides have won six of the 16 meetings, with the other two being played out as draws.
Arsenal do dominate the encounter in recent years, with that stunning 2-0 win on their Premier League debut earning Brentford a single win in the last seven.
Nice kick about with the boys. โฝ๏ธ @BrentfordFC
Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to Sportsmail’s live Premier League action – and we’ve got a real cracker in store for you all!
It’s the leaders Arsenal who play host to Brentford in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners getting another chance to extend their lead at the top to eight points.
Kick-off in north London is scheduled to be 3pm, but stick with us as we bring you all the latest news, updates and stories from around the game in our build-up.
๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐
๐ Brentford
๐ 3pm (UK)
๐๏ธ Emirates Stadium
๐ Premier League pic.twitter.com/1u6jsBEzVG
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