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: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal holds back Yoann Barbet of Brentford as he argues with Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal 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: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal holds back Yoann Barbet of Brentford as he argues with Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal 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) /

2. It’s a mentality

There was a point midway through the second half that I was rather worried for Arsenal’s chances. While they were 2-1 up, Brentford had just scored a lovely freekick thanks to Aaron Judge and were pressing for an equaliser. I half expected them to get it, even with the dominance that the Gunners were enjoying prior to Judge’s set-piece strike.

In the end, the Gunners were semi-comfortable winners, especially once Alexandre Lacazette scored the third and final goal. But there was the odd moment that caused some strife. Bernd Leno wasn’t completely untested in goal and Brentford did have a few opportunities to put dangerous crosses into the box.

The winning mentality of other teams to just shut this game off when two goals to the good at half-time isn’t present in this squad. Even though they went on to win this match, they didn’t make it easy for themselves. I am sure it is something that Emery will be hammering home over the coming days, weeks, months and ultimately years.