This time around, it was the Gunners who achieved the same feat, courtesy of Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the game with just seconds remaining.
It was as cruel a blow as they come after Bryan Mbeumo and then Neal Maupay had seen goal bound efforts cleared off the line with the net beckoning. Last gasp defence of the highest order from an Arsenal backline determined to earn the win that would see them ascend to the penthouse suite in the Premier League hotel. That they did it was with no real thanks to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Gtech crowd taking great pleasure in reminding the hapless shotstopper – who seemed to be playing in clown shoes, such was his inability to control any ball played to feet – that he was both England’s number four and an inferior version of David Raya. At least, that’s the ‘family friendly’ version.
Yet it was a game where chances were at an absolute premium. The action was frenetic. Exciting. End to end. Yet both teams had defences on full lockdown mode whilst the midfield battle remained an intriguing one. As much, given the replacements needing to be deployed by Thomas Frank.
We all knew the Bees’ injury situation going in to this one yet the team saw further changes with regulars Nathan Collins, Mathias Jensen and Mads Roerslev also ruled out. Collins, at least, we were already aware of but the reveal of additional absentees when the teams were announced did cause a pause for thought. As much as to where Saman Ghoddos would fit in (right wing back, as it transpired) and how Yehor Yarmoliuk would fare on his full debut. Both were magnificent. Both helped the Bees go toe to toe with one of the strongest teams in the country. The Brentford squad showing new depths of versatility in front of a crowd who backed them from the off .
When the ball did break, the Bees were saved by VAR just prior to half-time. Leandro Trossard straying ahead of everybody to nod past the solid Mark Flekken (whom it was great to see has also added ‘catch’ to his repertoire rather than electing to punch every time). Chants about going ‘top of the league’ having to be redacted by the otherwise somnolent travelling support.
Prior to that, Bryan and Wissa had combined for the best chance in the opening period. The later robbing Ramsdale as he dithered, only for the former’s follow up shot to be stabbed clear from the line by England and Republic of Ireland international Declan Rice.
Yet it was Neal Maupay who looked as though he might win it for the Bees late on. His wonderful downward header, from Mbeumo ball in, arrowing towards the bottom corner. Ramsdale not even close to it but as the Gtech prepared to let out the most almighty roar, there was Oleksandr Zinchenko with the clearance off the line.
With that, the moment was lost and whilst the Bees gave no quarter, the game looked set for what would still have been a well-earned and hard-fought point. That is, until Bukaya Sako delivered in the sweetest of crosses for Havertz to do the ultimate in damage. It was a teasing ball that swung in the air and fell so perfectly that even this most out of form players was able to guide it home from close in.
Hearts broken. Guts wrenched. Punches suckered. A mere four minutes of additional time – a bizarre anomaly given how often referee Mr. Robinson was obliged to delay proceedings in order to steer Arsenal back to the correct place from which to take dead balls and throw in – was insufficient to level things up. To even create a chance.
Say what you want about Arsenal but their ability to kill a game when going ahead and grind out a 1-0 is impressive. Somebody should really write a chant about it.
That’s their thing, of course. For Brentford it was as uplifting a defeat as we’ve had in a while. A quite wonderful display where we matched the league leaders every step of the way. A game highlighted by a more than impressive first start for Yermoliuk and Saman Ghoddos proving a mockery of everybody who questioned his return. The Iranian Messi following up his ‘goal of the month’ against Burnley with s cracking performance filling in at full back
Next up, Luton Town. Play like this and it’s going to be a lot of fun…..
Brentford: Flekken , Ghoddos (Zanka 90), Ajer, Pinnock, Mee, Janelt, Onyeka (Lewis-Potter 90), Nørgaard, Yarmoliuk (Baptiste 72), Mbeumo, Wissa (Maupay 72