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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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7/10 – Everything he did in the first two thirds of the pitch was calm, collected and beneficial, but when he got into the final third of the pitch his composure abandoned him. Still, did his defensive duties very effectively, as ever.

Seemed to do everything in his power not to get an assist for Saka by delaying on the ball.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – Some of his passing in the final third wasn’t quite as crisp but he did a neat job cleaning up loose moments and reacting to second balls. Really took command of central areas and set Arsenal off on a number of occasions.

Refused the armband late on. An interesting sidenote.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 9/10 – Ran the show. What a joy to watch: the flicks, tricks, dummies and feints aren’t just for show either, they serve a purpose.

Popping up on the right and cutting inside he fed a few delightful passes into the box, seeing the runs of Saka all afternoon, and working his socks off.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 – There were less take-ons from Saka in the game as Cedric provided the majority of the width meaning the Star Boy played closer to goal, but his shooting boots abandoned him as he struggled to add the cutting edge.

However, when the crucial moment came, he pulled out a sensational finish from a tight angle to wrap up the win for Arsenal.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 4/10 – There was plenty of neat work from the captain early on as he connected the dots centrally, yet decision making was his enemy as the times when he took shots off were moments when he needed to be feeding other players.

That was the crux of the issue for Lacazette. He looks completely bereft of confidence and it impacted all parts of his game. He desperately needs a goal.

Emile Smith Rowe (LW) – 8/10 – Getting closer to full match sharpness, Smith Rowe grew into the game with increasingly penetrative moments, driving at the Brentford backline and breaking through their lines.

It took mere seconds after the break for him to remind everyone of his magnificent talent, with a superb run cutting in off the left finishing with him bending a low effort beyond David Raya.

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Substitutes

Nicolas Pepe – 7/10 – Lively introduction from Pepe who should have got a penalty late on. Looked sharp and had a few neat moments in possession.

Eddie Nketiah – N/A – Came on to play his role in messing around with the captain’s armband for about five minutes.

Jon Moss – 2/10 – There are watering cans that have better decision making than Jon Moss. Couldn’t get away without a mention. Dreadful showing from him.