Thread by @EBL2017

Brentford are a complete tactical side and a difficult test for any opposing team, but so are Arteta's Arsenal. It's a tough game for Arsenal for a number of reasons that are discussed below, but Arsenal's superior quality *SHOULD* see them prevail with 3 points.

THREAD!

Brentford set up in a 5-3-2 shape where a lot of emphasis on their game centres around physicality. They are similar to Burnley in the sense that they are known for being difficult to break down but they press high to a high quality tactical standard as well.

For Brentford to successfully press Arsenal they have to be highly aggressive with their wingbacks and match up 3v3 in defence. As seen below, the outside centre backs will have to shift across to deal with Saka and Martinelli. The wingbacks then push on & press the fullbacks.

This way, Arsenal will have no spare man in the build-up. However, it is an incredibly aggressive tactic which will require a lot of braveness from the Brentford players. To press in such an aggressive manner at the Emirates is tough, but they did it at Anfield.

Brentford matched up with Liverpool in a very similar manner. However, the differences between Liverpool and Arsenal's 4-3-3 is the fact that Martinelli and Saka stay high and wide as opposed to in the half spaces like Mané & Salah. Liverpool also don't have an inverted fullback.

Brentford's centre backs could stay central as a result of Liverpool's wide forwards' narrow positioning, but they'll be brought out of their comfort zone against the likes of Saka and Martinelli out wide. The same goes for R. Henry when pressing the inverted Tomiyasu/Cedric.

It's a much more challenging pressing affair for Thomas Frank to deal with, so it's entirely possible that he doesn't take risks with aggressive pressing in such situations because his team are dragged far out of position into areas where they are uncomfortable i.e. CB's out wide

However, the evidence to date suggests that Brentford will press high because that's how Frank likes to play. As such, Arsenal will need to use their structure to pin Brentford back or exploit them in transition. It'll be difficult in moments for Arsenal, but they should be OK.

The distances Brentford's wingbacks and centre backs have to cover to press is something that takes a lot of aggression. These players are naturally defenders & are passive in nature - they will find it hard to reliably commit to pressing high away at the Emirates against Arsenal

So, if Arsenal are secure from a technical perspective in the build-up and prevent Brentford's press from being successful, they should control proceedings and make it a dominant possession-based affair against "The Bee's" low block. However, Brentford are good in that regard too

Frank's team block space in a 5-3-2 shape which stretches the width of the pitch so it'll be difficult for Arsenal to reliably isolate Saka and Martinelli with Brentford's wingbacks. It's possible with efficient sustained pressure or in transition, but still a tricky task.

Brentford have resilient defenders along with top athletes across the pitch. That combined with their structure makes them hard to break down. They've got the outlets in Mbeumo and Toney up front to help them get up the pitch & the physicality to win second balls in midfield.

Raya's technical ability means Frank will also attempt to exert control on the game by playing out from the back. As with any 3 at the back team, they push the third CB out to the fullback area when building play on that side before the wingback pushes on as a winger.

However, this approach is something Brentford lack the quality to reliably execute. Building play with a fluid, second phased midfield 3 requires high quality, and Brentford don't have that. So, they'd be smart to consistently go long and battle for duels in midfield.

If Brentford win those duels in midfield they can exploit Arsenal in transition and/or force them back and gain settled possession in midfield under less strenuous pressing circumstances. Within those situations, Arteta will have to adapt his press to match-up with their build-up

However, this is something that Arteta did successfully against A. Villa's 5-3-2. Saka and Martinelli inverted alongside Lacazette to press the back 3, the fullbacks pushed onto the wingbacks, & the #10 dropped to form a 3v3 in midfield. As such, Arsenal pressed them off the park

So, even if Brentford sustain an attack against Arsenal, they run this the risk of A) being counter-attacked and B) being forced back & pressed within a pressing match-up that favours Arsenal (assuming Arteta adapts his press accordingly). Brentford are good, but quality matters.

Again, the assumption that Brentford will win all second balls in midfield is obviously incorrect too. When they go long Arsenal will be competitive and if they win the duels they can exploit Brentford in transition and/or pin them back too. It's tricky for Brentford as a whole.

Brentford have a number of ways of scoring tactically, but they're all quite unlikely. Will they sustain pressure often? Will they score when sustaining pressure? Will they be massively dangerous on the counter, in transition, etc, etc? No, Arsenal general threat is far higher.

So, overall, when considering the game dynamics, Arsenal can create via playing through Brentford's press & exploiting them in transition, by sustaining pressure, by winning duels in midfield & continuing the same methods of chance creation, (counter)pressing & counter-attacking.

Brentford can exploit Arsenal in a number of similar ways, but how likely is it that they'll be as ruthless as Arsenal? It's not close, really. Arsenal are similarly good tactically whilst being better RE: quality. It'll be tough because Brentford are good, but Arsenal should win