Weak performance by Wissa and Damsgaard's leadership: Brentford player ratings vs Arsenal by Dailysports

Brentford approached this match with eight players sidelined due to injuries. Although Thomas Frank insists this isn’t a problem and that the team must stick to its style regardless of the lineup, such a number of absentees inevitably takes its toll. Brentford struggled to play their usual football and, specifically today, found it hard to withstand Arsenal’s pressure. By the start of the second half, the team appeared exhausted, ultimately conceding two goals.

Let’s hope for a speedy recovery for the Bees’ squad. Despite their modest budget, Brentford is a remarkable team, and it’s disheartening to see them in such a situation.

• Also read: They’ve done it again: Brentford leads the Premier League in a remarkable stat

Best players of the match

Mikkel Damsgaard
Of course, his assist to Mbeumo deserves recognition. The entire attacking move was beautifully executed, with both players shining.

However, beyond the assist, Damsgaard’s contribution was even more significant given the team’s injury crisis. Apart from his primary role as an attacking midfielder, he often found himself working in defense, sometimes appearing as a right-back. For stepping up in an unfamiliar position and performing admirably, he stands out.

Bryan Mbeumo
His primary achievement wasn’t just his well-taken goal, but also his role as the cornerstone of Brentford’s counterattacks. A glance at his heatmap shows Mbeumo frequently dropping deep into his own penalty area. His task was to carry the ball out of Arsenal’s pressing and initiate counterattacks. This was particularly crucial in the first half when Arsenal applied intense pressure. Overall, Mbeumo did well, but unfortunately, one of his failed attempts to escape the press led to Arsenal scoring against the Bees.

Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins
The hardest job today fell to the central defenders. By the end of the first half, Van den Berg and Collins had already accumulated 15 defensive actions between them. By full-time, this number had grown to 20 (as Arsenal ceded possession after their three goals). Without delving into other stats, such as duels, interceptions, and clearances, it’s clear their efforts prevented an even heavier defeat.

Notable mentions

There was some disappointment with Yoane Wissa’s performance. While he did produce a few decent moments, his overall involvement in the game was minimal. With just 22 touches throughout the match, substitutes who came on for the final 15 minutes managed to reach a similar number.

Brentford player ratings vs. Arsenal

• Sepp van den Berg - 7
• Yoane Wissa - 5
• Mikkel Damsgaard - 7
• Mathias Jensen - 6
• Kim Dong-soo - 6
• Nathan Collins - 7
• Keane Lewis-Potter - 5
• Ethan Pinnock-Magoma - 6
• Bryan Mbeumo - 7
• Christian Nørgaard - 6
• Mads Roerslev - 5
• Mark Flekken - 5
• Kevin Schade - 5
• Vitaly Janelt - 6
• Yehor Yarmoliuk - 6