The Brentford Community Stadium only holds bad memories for Mikel Arteta.
It’s where his side’s atrocious start to the last campaign began after goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard helped the Bees to a historic victory on their top-flight return. Arsenal went on to lose their next two Premier League matches after that, eventually finding themselves bottom after the opening three weeks of the season, with zero goals scored and nine conceded.
Of the nine goals the Gunners shipped, a third came from some form of set-piece. Perhaps the worst was the second goal conceded against the Bees when a long throw from Mads Bech Sorensen was allowed to bounce in the six-yard box before Norgaard arrived at the far post to head into an empty net.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was left staggered at what he watched from the Sky Sports commentary box: “How would you describe Arsenal’s defending here? It’s just Arsenal. Weak. Bullied. Men against boys.”
As the campaign progressed though, such problems from set-pieces began to subside. This was largely thanks to the influence of set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover who was poached from Man City ahead of last season.
While it took time for Jover to make his mark during those initial weeks, it’s no coincidence that Arsenal finished the campaign with only five sides having conceded fewer set-piece goals. So far this season, only West Ham and Liverpool have conceded fewer than their one - which was a freak goal conceded straight from a corner against Aston Villa.
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This is one of the big reasons why Arsenal have made such a contrasting start to this campaign.
No longer do they look vulnerable in such situations, although Brentford will provide the perfect test in which to prove it. Thomas Frank’s men have scored the second joint-most goals from set-pieces so far this season and netted the fourth most in the last.
Avoiding a repeat of the last encounter would highlight the progression of Arteta’s men and hint that they could achieve something special this season. With the international break on the horizon, it’s also key that they bounce back from surrendering their unbeaten start at Old Trafford earlier this month.
A Marcus Rashford brace helped Erik ten Hag’s side to victory and the Gunners have not been presented with the opportunity to respond yet as last week’s game against Everton was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Their scheduled Europa League group stage match against PSV Eindhoven was also moved.
There will thus be added importance on securing a standout positive result on Sunday lunchtime.
