Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford: Smith Rowe & Saka seal 2-1 win

Arsenal battled to three points against Brentford on Saturday as second half goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka secured a crucial 2-1 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium, with Christian Norgaard striking late on for the Bees.

Mikel Arteta’s side had nine days of rest between matches, time that appeared adequate enough for Takehiro Tomiyasu to return from a calf injury.

Despite being fit enough to make the squad, the manager opted to keep Cedric Soares at right-back and not rush the Japan international back.

The only other change saw Emile Smith Rowe come into the forward line in place of Gabriel Martinelli, who served his one-match suspension after being sent off the in the 1-0 win over Wolves.

Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford as Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka score to secure 2-0 Premier League win

Arsenal has two penalty appeals turned down early on in a dominating start from the Gunners, one that continued throughout the first half as they carved open numerous opportunities in a lively performance.

The chances went begging though, and penalties weren’t awarded, with Lacazette the only player to get the ball in the back of the net. Sadly, he was offside in doing so.

But it took a matter of seconds after the break for the Gunners’ dominance to tell when Smith Rowe picked the ball up out on the left, drove into the Bees’ box, danced past a few challenges and fired low into the far corner.

As it began getting nervy inside the Emirates Stadium with Brentford pushing for a late equaliser, Thomas Partey fed Saka on the break and the Hale Ender hit a stunning strike across goal and in off the post to wrap up three vital points, although there would be no clean sheet as Norgaard frustratingly tucked one home late on.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – Brentford’s shape out of possession allowed Ramsdale to be more creative with his distribution, but there were more than a few loose moments that felt more than slightly panicky. In terms of the usual goalkeeping stuff, he had nothing to do.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 8/10 – There was some real swagger for Cedric Soares, coupled with the occasional brain fart he’s capable of. One minute he’s delicately cushioning a ball 60 feet into the air and hitting a gorgeous diagonal, and the next he’s misplacing a five yard pass.

Overall, though, very good. The positives were much more prevalent. Another solid display.

Benjamin White (CB) – 6/10 – Played his part in Arsenal’s right-sided group as he picked out Saka down the line and fed Cedric more often than he would usually play in Tomiyasu on account of the backup’s more adventurous approach. Guilty of some loose passes out from the back, but defensively did his job well.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Sloppier playing out from the back than we’re used to. Brentford’s best opportunities came when the ball was given away by the Arsenal defence and Gabriel played his part in that. He did add some steel as it got nervier in the second half though, standing strong to Bryan Mbeumo.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Very tidy performance from Tierney who cleaned up a number of hairy moments at the back comfortably and kept Arsenal ticking over as result.

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