During the 13th minute of the match, Mbeumo scored a powerful shot, Kalafiori failed to block it and could only look up in despair, while David Raya watched the ball rolling inside the goal with deep thought. This was Brentford's eighth time this season scoring a goal with their first shot on target, showcasing Frank's disciples' astonishing ability to seize the initiative early in the game, having achieved an impressive record of seven wins, one draw, and one loss in their last nine home matches. Despite being trapped in a challenging away game where the rhythm was controlled by the opponent, Arsenal did not lose confidence. They turned the tide with a masterclass in breaking through a dense defense, earning them valuable three points.
Long-range shots as the solution
After successfully seizing the initiative, Brentford did not completely abandon their offensive efforts. Before Jesus scored, Raya made an incredible save to prevent the game from spiraling out of control. Brentford retreats quickly on defense and does not easily give opponents fast counter-attack opportunities; their strong suit is the tug-of-war and physical battles in positional play. Arsenal struggled to find a path to penetrate into the penalty area through small group combinations after continuous lateral passes failed to unsettle the opposition. In response, Arsenal decided to seek opportunities directly.
Gabriel sent the ball directly to his teammates inside the penalty area. Arsenal organized consecutive attacks relying on persistent pressing, and frequent turnovers created chaos and opportunities. After Brentford's defense adjusted their positions multiple times, they finally exposed a weakness, which Thomas exploited with a long-range shot that provided Jesus with a chance for a follow-up shot.
Apart from the absence of Saka, Havertz and Rice were also unable to start due to physical reasons. Arteta had warned everyone in the pre-match interview about the psychological preparation needed for the difficulty of this game. Trailing 0-1 in a tough away game, Arsenal needed a hero to turn the tide, and Jesus' outburst came at just the right moment.
Corner kick design refined to perfection
Goals in open play come from chaos, and scoring from set pieces is also about seizing victory from disorder. During Odegaard's injury period, Arsenal's corner kick offense was sealed off, with many teams blocking the goal entirely during defense, drawing the referee's attention to debates over whether Arsenal players were interfering with the goalkeeper.
From Merino's goal-scoring process, we can see that Arsenal still uses inswinging crosses for corners. Arteta does not assign specific players to interfere with the goalkeeper but instead "surrounds" him, blocking his route out, forming two layers of firepower within a confined space around the goal. Even if they cannot secure the first point, there is a significant chance to capture the second fall and complete a shot on goal.
Crossing pattern properly adjusted
Three minutes later, Martinelli's goal sealed the victory, coming from Nwaneri's cross. Notably, when Nwaneri pulled to the side for a solo attempt, Tinnemans tried to overlap, which contrasts with Saka's previous situation where he could only pass back after being double-teamed on the flank.
During Odegaard's injury period, Saka's forced crosses almost became the only routine for Arsenal's positional attack, with little fluidity or support around this strong point. Nwaneri received special treatment in his first start, indicating that Arteta has learned from the team's previous consecutive shutouts (against Newcastle and Inter Milan).
"Decimated lineup" dispels doubts about winter transfers
Facing a home team adept at setting up a defensive wall, Arsenal dissected the dense defense with long-range shots, crosses, and set pieces, delivering a masterclass in breaking through a packed defense. Considering the absence of several key players in this match, Arteta's ability to conquer a tough away ground under such circumstances is commendable, reflecting the players' state and resilience.
Over the past half-season, Arsenal's attacking efficiency has been inconsistent, performing below external expectations. Saka will need some time to recover, and Havertz has not scored many goals. Just as enthusiastic media were suggesting transfer targets for the Gunners, Jesus' burst during the Christmas-New Year period silenced the critics. In the middle of the 2022/23 season, Arteta had pushed for winter transfers with a self-destructive substitution in the FA Cup, leading to the signings of Trossard, Jorginho, and Kiwior. With upcoming League Cup and FA Cup matches, Arteta no longer needs such risky moves.