Arsenal 2-1 Brentford: 4 positives & negatives of crucial win

3. Arsenal Are Looking Much Sharper

When the half-time whistle blew and the Gunners failed to make their dominance count on the scoresheet, immediately there were some nervous faces who were concerned that a repeat of the previous home game against Burnley would be on the cards.

This was very different, though.

In that game Smith Rowe was clearly lacking match sharpness, there wasn’t the same control and drive from midfield without Xhaka and Partey, and Saka couldn’t get into the game with the amount of precision he usually has.

Arsenal were much sharper against Brentford. Much more fluid, and clearly much fitter. Odegaard was purring on the pitch with his confidence soaring, Smith Rowe drove at the Brentford defence with more of his usual panache, and everyone was cleaner in possession and resolute without it. The triangles built were precise and crisp, with movement off the ball quick and dynamic.

In terms of parallels to draw the scoreline was the only one as this was clearly a team closer to the level of match sharpness they’ll need considering there will only be one game per week for near enough the rest of the season.

Looking at the Burnley and Brentford matches in isolation offers up huge encouragement in terms of quality. Everyone found another level on Saturday.

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