3 positives and negatives from 1-0 Brentford Carabao Cup win

Positive #2: Emile Smith Rowe

It was so good to see Smith Rowe back in the starting lineup, and even better to see him playing well, particularly in the first half. The 23-year-old shone in the first 45 minutes and was very unlucky with his effort from close range that was saved by the Brentford goalkeeper.

It was by no means his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, but it was an important one nonetheless. If Smith Rowe can rediscover the form he displayed before his injury, he will be a very important player for the squad and could help us mount another serious title challenge this season.

Negative #2:  Defensive errors

Another negative that has also been present in almost all our games so far this campaign is individual defensive errors. As has been the case in the majority of those games, the errors made against Brentford did not lead to us conceding, but that does not make them any less concerning.

As per The xG Philosophy, Brentford recorded an expected goals figure of 1.5, a portion of which came as a direct result of our defensive errors, and, on another day, we would have been punished.

Along with our inability to maintain control over matches, Arteta must also find a way to eradicate these needless mistakes.

Continue on the next slide…