Arsenal: 4 talking points from Brentford horror show

4. Balogun & Martinelli Show Their Inexperience

When news dropped that skipper Aubameyang and Lacazette were both unwell and would miss the clash, Folarin Balogun was thrust into the starting side for his Premier League debut.

Having him lead the line was always going to be a tough task and having Martinelli out wide added another layer of difficulty to what would be a baptism of fire. In the first half Arsenal’s front three of Balogun, Nicolas Pepe and Martinelli were largely unsighted.

While Arteta’s hand was forced with three senior strikers absent, we know that at this stage at least, the young frontline didn’t click. Balogun may be better for the experience but watching the front three struggle to gel, pick up similar positions as each other and flood the wrong areas, it’s clear that this was a trio without a single appearance alongside one another.

Pepe did ok in some aspects, improving as he moved centrally in the second half, but Martinelli struggled to make any impact whatsoever and the disciplined Brentford central defenders marked Flo out of the game.

It was an awful night for Arsenal.

The same problems that have plagued them over the years still remain and with two tough games coming up, it is not inconceivable that there could be zero points on the board come the international break.

Arteta’s seat is getting hotter with every passing day.