Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Brentford: 5 things we learned – Pass, pass and pass

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal scores his sides first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal scores his sides first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. Guendouzi impresses and will learn

If not for a stupid foul on the edge of the penalty area that led to Brentford’s only goal of the game, I would have said that Matteo Guendouzi was the best player on the pitch. His conducting of the play from midfield was truly masterful. He passed beautifully, he moved attacking plays forward, rather than just make the conservative, safe passes, he created and he controlled. It was lovely.

And then, he went and stupidly committed a silly, unnecessary foul right outside the 18-yard box. Inevitably, Aaron Judge curled the freekick past Bernd Leno and the game completely changed. Arsenal may have gone on to win, but Guendouzi did his best to upset their complete dominance.

He will learn from his mistake. He is 19. It would be foolish to expect him not to make these kind of mental errors at times. As long as he understands what he did wrong and what he must do next time, then he will be all the better for it. And so will this team, because this is a wonderfully talented player indeed.