Reiss Nelson’s early strike was enough for Arsenal to beat Brentford 1-0 and book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners winger was handed a rare opportunity at the Gtech Community Stadium, while Emile Smith Rowe started a competitive match for Arsenal for the first time in 499 days and Charles Sagoe Jr made his debut.
Nelson did not need to wait long to make an impression, less than eight minutes on the clock when he opened the scoring. Eddie Nketiah pounced on a loose pass, cut it back for Nelson and the the winger cooly slotted into the bottom corner. Smith Rowe went close to doubling the lead as he drove into the box and had an effort saved, the 23-year-old making a real impression on his long-awaited return to the starting lineup.
Brentford offered very little in the first-half, but that changed after the break as they piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Yoane Wissa, who wasted the only good chance the Bees created in the opening 45 minutes, continued to be frustrated in the second period. He was denied on more than one occasion by a last-ditch block, before Aaron Ramsdale, getting his chance to impress in goal, produced a stunning save to turn Wissa’s effort onto the post as Arsenal held on.
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Arsenal ratings
Aaron Ramsdale 8
Back in the team after being on the bench for the previous three matches. Had a good game, with his distribution impressive. Made a huge save to deny Yoane Wissa in the second-half.
Kai Havertz 6
Another frustrating night for the German, who is yet to get going at Arsenal. Made some important defensive contributions, but looked off the pace in attack.
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Simon Collings at the Gtech Community Stadium
The Gunners are into the fourth round. Great performance from Ramsdale, who kept a clean sheet. Thought Nelson was bright going forward.
Impressive displays from Kiwior and Tomiyasu too. Some pleasing performances for Arteta to see.
FT: Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal survive!
Far from comfortable in that second-half, Brentford miles better after the break.
The Gunners hold on though and they are through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
90+4 mins: Huge Brentford appeals for handball, nothing given. The hosts have a throw-in though, goalkeeper Flekken is up for it!
Flung into the box, flicked on… Wissa wins the header and Ramsdale comfortably claims, flopping to the floor in the process.
90+2 mins: That’ll do nicely for Arsenal.
Havertz holds the ball up well, before playing it inside. Odegaard goes for goal from distance, spins behind for a corner. No rush to take this.
90+1 mins: Five minutes added on!
Still time for Brentford…
89 mins: Wissa has done everything but score tonight.
He looks to be in behind, but Tomiyasu scrambles back to get a foot in. Arsenal just about hanging on.
86 mins: Elneny urged to shoot from distance – he does so, just wide. Good effort to be fair.
Another Arsenal change. Nketiah off, Cedric on.
Tells you all you need to know about how Arteta is now viewing things.
84 mins: OFF THE LINE!
Arsenal are somehow still in front. Cross allowed to come all the way to Lewis-Potter at the back post, he drags a shot towards the far corner and Kiwior slides in to keep it out.
Ramsdale wasn’t getting there.
81 mins: Arsenal trying to just keep the ball and slow things down, but Brentford are doing a good job of keeping the pace frantic.
They’re a bit too keen there though, Nketiah fouled again.
And there will be two more Arsenal changes. Nelson and Smith Rowe off, Odegaard and Elneny coming on.
