By oldest Right then, let’s get into how I tackled breaking down that Arsenal lineup for the Brentford game. Fancied doing it properly like I always do, seeing as I follow the Gunners week in, week out.
Starting Point: Checking the Tea Leaves
First things first, I needed to know who was actually gonna play. Woke up early Saturday morning buzzing for it. Grabbed my phone and checked the official Arsenal app. Sure enough, the starting XI was posted – thank god they usually do this about an hour before kickoff. Saw the names pop up: Ramsdale in goal, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko at the back… nodded along mostly. Expected Trossard over Martinelli on the left, felt Arteta might fancy his control against Brentford’s physicality.
Digging into the Why
Just knowing the names ain’t enough though, is it? Had to figure out the thinking behind it. Sat down with my notebook. Wrote down the formation first: looked like our usual 4-3-3 on paper. But we all know it’s more fluid than that.
- Midfield Puzzle: That midfield trio jumped out – Ødegaard ahead of the double pivot, like always. Havertz and Rice sitting deeper. Questioned in my head straight away: “Is Arteta sticking Havertz there for more height against Brentford’s long balls? Does he think Kai can hassle their midfielders?” Scribbled that down as a key tactical point.
- Attack Decisions: Seeing Trossard start confirmed my hunch. Reckoned Arteta wanted someone who could drift inside and link play, maybe more than Martinelli’s pure pace out wide against their defence. Made a note: “Control vs Chaos – Leo for the control?”.
- Defence Stability: Back four was straightforward, no Saliba or Gabriel madness! Only change was White at right-back instead of Tomiyasu? Bit surprised, thought Tomi might get the nod. Wondered if pace overlapping Saka was the priority.
Watching it All Unfold
Got comfy for the match. Made proper notes as it went along.
- Early on? Zinchenko drifted into midfield constantly, like he does. Brentford seemed ready for it, pressed him hard a few times. Winced a bit.
- Havertz in that deeper role? He was okay. Won some headers, worked hard. Did he dictate play like Partey used to? Not really. Not sure that spot is nailed on for him yet.
- Trossard looked bright! Got the vital touch for Havertz’s goal! Worked hard defensively too. Good call, Mikel!
- Saka got kicked bloody again, surprise surprise. You could see him limping. Held my breath every time he got tackled.
Noticed when Kiwior came on late! Straight swap for Zinchenko. Pure game management, seeing it out. Sensible.
Putting the Pieces Together After Full Time
Whistle went, got that vital win. Great. But now, time to make sense of the whole thing for my post. Looked back through my messy notes.
- Key Players Identified: Ramsdale’s saves were massive. Saliba and Gabriel rocks again. Saka’s creativity even after the knocks. Trossard proving the selection right. Rice just everywhere.
- Tactical Nuggets: Confirmed my thoughts on Havertz’s role – physical presence needed, control preferred. Zinchenko’s hybrid role remains vital but risky. The structure mostly held, especially late on when Brentford lumped it forward.
Finished writing it up, trying to explain the choices and how they panned out simply, without getting bogged down in tactics board jargon. Point was to show why Mikel picked that team and how it basically worked. Bloody relieved they got the three points in the end – makes the analysis feel better! Still scratching my head about how long Saka keeps playing through the pain though.
