Arsenal vs Brentford: 3 key tactical areas to exploit

Arsenal are finally back in action after yet another lengthy wait between matches as they host Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

With January now in the past it’s time to only look forward. That five-game winless run was anything but reassuring even when factoring in the selection difficulties, so to kick February off with a massive three points against Wolves was richly welcome.

That was part one of a three-game shootout in February, one that concludes with Bruno Lage’s side heading to the Emirates Stadium, and features Thomas Frank’s Brentford in between.

Having succumbed to a crushing defeat on the opening day of the season, it is time for Arsenal to right some wrongs when they host the Premier League strugglers on the weekend.

Arsenal vs Brentford: 3 key tactical areas to exploit when Thomas Frank and Mikel Arteta go head to head in the Premier League

And struggling they are.

Their recent draw 0-0 home draw with Crystal Palace was their first clean sheet since November, and ensured they’ve claimed maximum points from just one of their previous eight league encounters. Despite some early promise it has been a tough debut season in the top-flight for the west Londoners.

Even with concerns over Takehiro Tomiyasu and the absence of Gabriel Martinelli this is a fixture that Arsenal will be viewing as nothing other than three points.

When two teams are battling at opposite ends of the table it generally implies that the side near the top just needs to play their own game to a high enough standard to claim the win. Arsenal have better players and are at home, so just be better.

That discounts the tactical aspect of matters and this Brentford team has weaknesses that are there to be exploited by Mikel Arteta and co, those that if nailed should see them cruise to victory.

1. Pontus Jansson & Kristoffer Ajer Lack Mobility

Two towering central defenders with two similarly sluggish turning circles.

Setting up in a 3-5-2 shape, the strength of the Brentford back three is in their physical dominance and height, supplemented by the wide cover received from both pairs of wing-backs. In their defensive block they tuck in to form a five and limit spaces in between all of the defenders. That compactness should, in theory, frustrate their opponents, but the Bees have still managed to leak goals this season: 40 in 25 matches.

Where opposition sides have joy is in dragging the pairing of Kristoffer Ajer and Pontus Jansson out of position. Interchanging across the forward line, usually with a wide player and the centre-forward, forces the Scandinavian duo to be drawn out of position and vacate spaces in central zones.

Confusing these two, even if only briefly, opens gaps. Therefore constant movement across the front line, including Alexandre Lacazette pulling one of them out of position is a key tool the team need to utilise to carve open presentable opportunities.

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