First Half
Two goals from Danny in the first half had Arsenal cruising as the interval approached. His first came from a Matteo Guendouzi pinpoint cross after a short corner. The many Arsenal runs in the box confused Brentford who forgot to mark the only player who stood still; but what a fine header it was from Welbz.
The second goal was warmly applauded by Mr Emery as it probably encapsulated all he wants from his players on the break. Brentford were pressing high, eventually the ball came to Lichtsteiner in a 50:50 challenge – no contest, Micki slipped the ball inside his marker freeing Iwobi on the burst. The Nigerian cockney used his mirrors to perfectly judge the run of Monreal steaming up behind him. A perfect perpendicular pass to the waiting Mancunian and it was two nil.
Second half
Arsenal quickly lulled themselves into a false sense of security in the opening few minutes of the second period. Emile Smith Rowe had a couple of decent positions which came to nothing; his usual youthful confidence giving way to indecision or a bad choice. Brentford fought for their hive like workers not drones and started to create some chances.
Their free kick to pull the game back to 2-1 was excellent but resulted from Guendouzi giving away a nonsensical free kick in a dangerous position. Suddenly the commentator was interested – he started to think he might see what he was hoping for after all.
Lacazette came on for ESR and proceeded to stink the place out with a complacent attitude and poor use of the ball. His touch was off even when slipped through by Guendouzi in prime real estate territory. Another sub was required.
Enter Lucas Torreira, avenger of evil and possessor of large hairy feet capable of mopping up in front of the back four. Things started to settle and the final quarter of the game left the commentator a little bereft of excitement and lacking in hope that all his dreams of a Brentford comeback would still come true.
Lacazette finally showed some class as he stroked home the third in the dying moments and it was through to the next round we go.
Summary
Unai Emery’s first League Cup team was a strong one and in the final reckoning, it needed to be.
Ratings
Leno – not ready to displace the helmet as yet but steady and secure after an early blip….6
Lichtsteiner – struggled just a touch with the pace of his youthful winger but used his enormous experience to redress the balance….6
Mustafi – only one really comical moment giving the ball away and then falling over. Just the one hair-raising moment is quite good for him….6
Holding – don’t remember much that he did good or bad. Is that good or bad?….6
Monreal – Nacho is a real 100 percenter and was justly rewarded with an excellent slide rule assist. It’s a good job the Beast is back to share some of his workload….7
Elneny – he stood out for me simply because he did almost nothing of note apart from run around like a headless chicken. A DM he is not….5
Guendouzi – the odd sloppy pass but 95% of his work was rapid, incisive and clever. Was fouled quite nastily by Yennaris which Dean overlooked completely….8
Mkhitaryan – Henrikh played very well when we were on top but sometimes appears to lack the cojones for a scrap. Excellent use of the ball in the build up to the second goal….7
Iwobi – Another fine performance from Alex….7
Smith Rowe – Playing a little further forward seemed detrimental to Emile’s play though he showed some bright moments in the first period. He seems better coming from deep to me….6
Welbeck – two great goals which effectively won the game – is Brentford his level? – I sincerely hope not….8
Subs
Lacazette – one awful moment after another until his opportunist’s goal late on….5
Torreira – steadied the ship according to LB….7
Ramsey – didn’t really add much more than the player he replaced, Elneny….6
Mike Dean – just as bad as we all know he can be – fat, old and incompetent….3
chas
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Is it a Welshman, with a sheep getting his own back?
Hey Chas Blog Expert
My AA blogging is suffering. 90% of my commenting is before my traditional 8:30 crypto Skype meeting. That has been moved forwards. That’s bad enough, but this is on top of me having to log in every single time I want to comment and I do press the “remember me” buttons every time
Don’t know if this is relevant, but at the top of my AA page there’s a warning “this webpage is using significant memory” Eh?
The Nigerian cockney used his mirrors 🙂
Thanks Chas
Ok, now to log in to send this comment 🙄
No idea about the significant memory bit.
I don’t log in to comment either – so it always surprises me when some get the ‘having to log in for each comment’ problem.
My commenting details (name and fake email) are always just sat there in the appropriate boxes waiting for my next comment.
Sorry, no help at all.
Good result, good read.
Perhaps more people will comment when we lose.
aaaaaand, that’ll be LB’s last comment following this victory 🙂
Hi Micky/Chas,
I’m leaving for a week in half an hour, but I thought I’d comment on your “significant memory problem” on AA.
I had the same issue and my (less than subtle) and very computer savvy daughter looked into it and came to the conclusion that the site has very old code and it dumps all of it’s memory when you log in – therefore slowing down the process and occasionally causing the computer to “freeze”.
She switched me to Firefox and I log in on private mode (left click on icon) – which eliminates all of the ads on sites – this has lessened my systems memory usage and speed-ed up my processing.
This may be of no use – but just in case…………….GN5
Thanks for the great post and agree with most rating 🙂
Leno – I would give a 5 because the wall placement and his reaction time on the goal were not up to scratch and he had an early scare. Other than that, nothing good and nothing bad.
Licthen – 5 as well because he did not add or concede much. Struggled early on before finding his feet
Holding – 6. Did well and was commanding towards the end.
Mustafi – 5. Average
Monreal – 7 just because of his commitment
Guendouzi – 8 and my MOTM because of his energy, drive and ability to recover. Was tired towards the end and made one stupid pass that could have led to a goal for the opposition but besides that, our warrior in the middle
El Neny – 4. Where was he?
Smith-Rowe – 5. Good runs but often no product at the end. Much room for improvement but encouraging signs that he will be a courageous player.
Miky – 6. Expected more from him but had a good first half with an effective use of the ball. Should have scored.
Wellbeck – 7. Two goals and a good attitude.
Iwobi – 5. Frustrating. No creativity but full of running. Should run riots against such a team.
Subs:
Laca – 5. Awful until his goal.
Ramsey – 5. Anonymous and too keen to score so barely showed concerns for defensive tasks.
Torreira – 6. Slotted in nicely.
Echoing a pundit, I can’t see an Emery effect just yet. Was really hoping for a commanding victory but was left shaking until Lacazette goal
Fine chas. Thank you.
I would have given Smith Rowe (Lab) a 4. Given our midfield dominance I expected more. His decision making and control were poor.
As I was watching a dodgy stream for the first half I could not tell if it was Elneny or Douzi who was playing so well. Maybe it was both of them:-D
Defence was OK and Leno had little to do.
I would give Ray Hanna a 10.
Brilliant execution, loved it.
Iwobi has now matured physically but his game is so poor. He is a gifted player no doubt but he needs to grow tactically and in his decision making. The guy should be at least as good as Zaha.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11510281/aaron-ramseys-arsenal-contract-talks-break-down
I hope he stays and if he decides to leave, let us sell him for 30 Mln in Jan rather than nothing in June.
This is a genuine question, one that I do not understand or that there is something that I must be missing.
How and why would Arsenal be able to sell Ramsey in January when the Welshman knows that in the summer he will be able to double his wages as the team he signs for will not have to pay to buy him from Arsenal.
So my question is why would Ramsey want to leave in January and how on earth could Arsenal make him?
GN5
At your age, you shouldn’t put yourself down for experiencing systems memory usage and deterioration of speed processing
I’m hot on your heels
As for how Firefox helps, I have no idea. Always viewed it as a shit film, however much I like the idea of Clint Eastwood zooming about in supersonic jets belonging to the Russkies
Anyhow, for you, Chas and anyone else experiencing my problems, I solved it by switching from Safari to Chrome
LB
Would a Sanchez-like swap deal work?
Last thought, could Mkhi be Santi-esque in linking defensive midfield to attack?
Having asked that question, both Ouzi and Terry ( 🙂 ) are superb in that department as well as dm’ing about the pitch
Mmmmmm….hello pogba
RC78- yes Leno’s wall was not perfect, and his positioning was a little off, from tv view, but his pass to Lich led to the best Arsenal team goal of the season. That is what he is paid to do in addition to shot stopping.
Ramsey – if you threaten him not to play him for half a year, he will accept to leave and yes a swap deal would be acceptable. I d take Herrera for example from Man Utd. Less creative but more steely.
Mikhy – I think Mikhy can be like Santi but I am not sure he wants to be that kind of player and am not sure he will be given a chance to be that player.
Leno – his passing was fine especially on the goal but the first thing asked from a GK is to stop goals. The rest is a bonus. Look at Alisson – the guy is a good GK because he is above all a good shot stopper
Ramsey for Herrera makes sense. Herrera also out of contract soon. He won’t be the same profile as Ozil. He is more of a Xhaka in a way but he is better at defensive duties.
Herrera, LT – Miky, Ozil, Auba – Laca would be quite balanced actually
Then back up is:
Xhaka, Guendouzi, El Neny – AMN, Wellbeck, Iwobi
Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City
Lazio, Juve, Barcelona
all reportedly interested in Ramsey
If he were to leave, I think he would do well at Barcelona and Juve
As I cut the grass, hopefully, for the last time this year, I found myself contemplating again the Ramsey question. Having made some of my opinions on this player recently fairly clear, I think it’s time to nail colours to the mast, and tie them in with Cech’s also recent unusual criticism of the final Wenger years.
I don’t agree with Mesut’s £230,000 a week,or whatever it is, but it is comical that Aaron thinks he is worthy of anything remotely similar, and if he is holding out for money and is not particularly enthused by the new potential Emery era, so be it. Leave! Of course I would like something for him at Christmas to whatever level he is worth, but expect he does believe he can do better for himself, and that he’ll go for nothing in the Summer.
His departure would be almost the end of a cohort who we were very proud of.Young British players who AW believed in and was particularly loyal to. Perhaps too loyal! With the possible exception of Jack, and his problems seem beyond his control, I think Theo, the Ox, Aaron, Chambers and their British like at other Clubs for that matter, are a metaphor for our own National teams. Often good in themselves, capable of brilliance, but consistently not top class in terms of the best in Europe and the World, and in terms of the Premier League, no more than “top half” in quality.
Although our squad has of course been supplemented by superior quality foreign players, I believe our failure to move with the times was the reason for the relative failure of AW in the second half of his reign, in the eyes of some/many. His continued loyalty to these players, and perhaps the fact that he could no longer pluck an unknown genius from the academies of Europe and the World, led to his demise. I go further, and feel that these players believe that they are better than they are, sat back a little in their comfortable positions and accepted a reasonable, but no more, end product. Whose fault? Was AW a motivator of men? Should he need to be? The old cliche is most supporters would play for their Club for nothing….if they were good enough. Old fashioned maybe, but we all remember players who, at least it seemed, would.
So I look positively towards a new era for The Arsenal. For Dick and his team to find some new gems listed in their little black books of the “highest quality” ( perhaps he has some already in our academy, the omens are good in my opinion), and for us to challenge the brilliance of some of the players in for instance the Man City and Liverpool squads and get back to the top.
Can’t think of a player I would want less in an Arsenal shirt than Andes Herrera.
LBG – I d rather get Herrera than nothing in the summer for Ramsey. Ia gree with you about your assessment of our young British players.
If I were to take a chance on a young player, it d be Ndombele from Lyon or Dembele from Barcelona both would add value to our squad
LBG
You talk of finding gems. I think Emery (and his scouting team) have got off to a flying start
Torreira and Guendouzi (ages 22 and 19) are quite outstanding finds
So, like you, I look positively towards the new era
In fact, given our away form cost us any chance of top four last term, and the way things are looking now while the new boys are still settling in, I’d say top four is already nailed on
RC
Change your: Herrera, LT – Miky, Ozil, Auba – Laca
To: Guendouzi, LT – Miky, Ozil, Auba – Laca
And I’ll up my 4th to 1st 🙂
No way will we sign Herrera. I think we have the squad for the season to come, whether Ramsey leaves in January or not. Cannot see anyone else arriving
Agree with LB’s POV, how can AFC persuade a mercenary to do anything but maximise his earning potential and this means leaving AFC.
Should he do so, rather than castigate him let’s remember two winning FAC goals.
And …. I think our best first 11 does not include Ramsey.
Micky – I think Guendouzi needs a but more defensive maturity/growth so a player like Herrera might be precious for this growth. I think Top 4 may be just out of our reach this year because 3 teams have already found their rhythm with Liverpool, City and Chelsea and the 4th one will be struggle between Tottenham, Man Utd, AFC and probably a surprise team. I am afraid we may just miss out but hopefully we won’t
BR – let us see about out squad. I think we ll make at least one deal in the winter. Emery is not so patient, remeber he is Spanish
BR – I think Ramsey is a starter for sure but that means leaving our beloved Ozil out and that s hard.
RC 5.05
I wouldn’t; he is a slimy, cheating individual of no more than average ability, with that “butter wouldn’t melt, what me ref” face that makes me want to punch him on the nose.
We will have to agree to disagree on Ramsey and his ability.
Micky, agree absolutely re Terrier and Ouzi and that’s why I have even higher hopes for the next three transfer windows.
Also believe we already have some potential “gems” in the squad overall AMN, Eddie, Smith Rowe let alone Reiss Nelson, so some of the future should be, allow them to blossom amongst the hardened, talented, “all ready made it” brigade.
Aaron Ramsey: Arsenal midfielder set to leave after club withdraws contract offer
What does that mean? He walks for free next summer? Or we force a sale in January?
Eddie
It is not possible now days to force a sale and RC, threatening to leave him on the bench for 6 months is not practical which is the reason why no club has ever tried it.
Imagine the morale of the rest of the squad at the idea that the club takes such a position over a player who has every right to move where ever he can at the end of his contract. And be in no doubt the rest of the players will see it like that.
BR
A slight difference, I do expect us to be active in the transfer market in January. Tricky to go into the depth I would like to on a phone.
I’m going to cheer myself up and watch last night’s goals again.
when was the last time Arsenal withdrew their contract offer?
you would think they would go about negotiations differently especially going into January
But to withdraw their contract offer, they are effectively saying “see you later”
VP
Actually, they’re saying “we’re so far apart from what Slime thinks his client is worth, discussions are utterly pointless”
Is it possible to have a poll where voters can tick two, and only two, boxes?
Or could the election be rigged like the Democrats did to Bernie. Ooops 🙂
I’m trying to think of something I could do for a post, but time is running out rapidly
Ummmmmm, urrrrrrrrrrr
Hot topic is Ramsey and contract. Then how does Unai use him knowing…but I’ve done Ramsey to death
https://giphy.com/gifs/Z4vRWI5VHNWjS/html5
bollocks
What a start to three days of fantastic sport. Allez Les Bleus.
Brilliant idea LBG (although I have no idea what the blues have done)
We could have friday as sporting weekend watch
obviously that’d include potential prem. fixture ROLFS at the expensive of rivals
what sport?
what is fucking Slime’s name? is he really the same agent Ronnie and Lionel employ? he is a good looking fucking slime
From Sky Sports:
Ramsey deal ‘affected’ by Ozil wages
Earning less than Mesut Ozil has played a part in Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal contract talks breaking down, Andy Townsend told The Debate
Papers: Martial, Bailly join Utd rebels
Potential ROLFworthy Prem. Fixtures:
W’Ham v Man Utd
Huddersfield v Spuds
Chelsea v Pool
Other stuff:
There’s an F1 Grand Prix in Russia
Rugger: Springbox v Wallabies, Pumas v All Blacks
Golf: Ryder Cup
No televised Tug-o-War
ok, Ramsey’s agent is David Baldwin (not good looking, fat baldy p***), owner of Avid Sports Agency of which he appears to be the only employee.
grand prix in russia, rugger and rugby??!! how exciting.
Ryder Cup
NEW POST
p,s, I like the idea of sporting weekend watch on a Friday, especially when we play on Sunday.