Arsenal played Brentford without much energy between their two Real Madrid matches. The atmosphere felt different compared to the excitement of facing Los Blancos midweek.
Arteta admitted the stadium mood lacked Tuesday's electricity. He rotated key players like Saka, Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly, and Merino - making his priorities clear. The team seems headed for another second-place finish.
Despite this match receiving less fanfare, concerns remain about Arsenal's domestic form. The gap to seventh equals their distance from first-place Liverpool. Their league position might slide if performances continue declining.
Champions League qualification appears safe, but finishing lower than second would represent regression. Winning the UEFA Champions League would make the league position irrelevant, though bookmakers consider this unlikely despite their three-goal advantage over Madrid.
Arsenal created enough chances against Brentford but failed to convert them. Even after Jorginho's injury left them with ten men, Saka had an opportunity to win but hesitated. Madrid plays Sunday against Deportivo Alaves with less recovery time before facing Arsenal. The Gunners must silence talk of a Bernabeu comeback early to keep their season alive.
Arteta admitted the stadium mood lacked Tuesday's electricity. He rotated key players like Saka, Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly, and Merino - making his priorities clear. The team seems headed for another second-place finish.
Despite this match receiving less fanfare, concerns remain about Arsenal's domestic form. The gap to seventh equals their distance from first-place Liverpool. Their league position might slide if performances continue declining.
Champions League qualification appears safe, but finishing lower than second would represent regression. Winning the UEFA Champions League would make the league position irrelevant, though bookmakers consider this unlikely despite their three-goal advantage over Madrid.
Arsenal created enough chances against Brentford but failed to convert them. Even after Jorginho's injury left them with ten men, Saka had an opportunity to win but hesitated. Madrid plays Sunday against Deportivo Alaves with less recovery time before facing Arsenal. The Gunners must silence talk of a Bernabeu comeback early to keep their season alive.
