Arsenal 2-1 Brentford: 5 talking points from Premier League win

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (2nd R) dances with Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (L) as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 19, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is challenged by Josh Dasilva of Brentford during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4. Granit Xhaka Refuses the Captain’s Armband

In what could potentially be a huge story to come out of the game – although in the grand scheme of things means absolutely nothing – Granit Xhaka refused to take the captain’s armband from Alexandre Lacazette after the Frenchman was substituted late in the second half.

Eddie Nketiah took the armband from Lacazette and sought out Xhaka, only for the Swiss international to show zero interest in taking it. The whole situation was somewhat odd.

Nketiah was then forced to hold onto the armband until the next phase of play to then which Kieran Tierney took charge and was captain for the remainder of the game. There is sure to be some interesting dialogue on this going forward, in what was a weird situation all-around.

It’s not like he hasn’t worn it since being stripped of it, and perhaps it’s Xhaka showing humility in the situation because he knows Tierney is next in line. Equally, he might not want anything to do with it anymore, and he’s just doing a job until the summer when he leaves.

Who knows? It’s all conjecture. But there is no denying that it was a peculiar situation.

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