There is certainly an extra something on the line when it comes to playing the first game of the year. While for Arsenal and others, it doesn’t have the same impact as the first of the season and certainly sometimes the last, having that ‘W’ on the record for the first match of the year can be a real boost.
Arsenal managed to secure the all-important three points in West London at a ground where supporters had witnessed just one league defeat prior to the arrival of the Gunners. It seemed for a time that they would again be celebrating a scalp at the Gtech when Bryan Mbeumo set the ball rolling for Brentford, but three goals in response showcased the gap between the two teams.
Speaking of gaps, the lead Liverpool have forged is again cut in half and while Arsenal have played a game more, having the points on the board will always be preferred to matches yet to come. It was a great start to the year, and within it, there were plenty of intriguing takeaways from the encounter with the Bees.
Faith is rewarded
There has been, for some time, some scrutiny toward Mikel Arteta for how he has approached the utilisation of Ethan Nwaneri. The youngster has been, for all intents and purposes, overlooked when scenarios such as Martin Odegaard’s injury were thought to have opened a door.
However, Mikel Arteta was quick to suggest that it was not injury, nor illness, that has seen him choose the 17-year-old to face Brentford. Interestingly it appears that occasion played a part in the decision.
