Football matches are often defined by key moments and Arsenal’s recent matches have been no exception. Turning our attention to Arsenal’s victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, there were key moments in the Gunners’ favor. Declan Rice’s brilliant clearance saved goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s blushes after a misplaced pass led to a chance for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who provided the assist for Bryan Mbeumo.

Và đừng quên bàn thắng muộn của Kai Havertz. Thực hiện một pha chạy chỗ đúng lúc về phía sau, Havertz đánh đầu sau đường chuyền của Bukayo Saka, ghi bàn thắng đầu tiên từ lối chơi cởi mở kể từ khi gia nhập Arsenal với giá 65 triệu bảng. Thời điểm quan trọng này đến khi Arsenal đang gặp khó khăn trước lối chơi phòng ngự sâu của Brentford.

However, it is important to acknowledge Oleksandr Zinchenko’s contribution. Minute 76, 13 minutes before Havertz broke through, the left back carelessly lost control of his home field. This resulted in Kristoffer Ajer rushing forward, but his shot was blocked by Gabriel Magalhaes. As the ball fell to Mbeumo, he sent a cross into the far post, perfectly positioned for Neal Maupay’s header. Maupay seemed ready to celebrate but Zinchenko made an excellent save, denying the chance to score. Replays showed the ball heading towards the bottom corner and without Zinchenko’s intervention, Arsenal could have suffered consecutive 0-1 away defeats in the Premier League.

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Zinchenko may have been responsible for the situation given his earlier mistake, but his redemption deserves recognition, along with Rice’s save and Havertz’s goal. It is worth noting that Zinchenko is often criticized for his defensive errors, and some Arsenal fans asked Takehiro Tomiyasu to replace him at left-back after a poor performance against Chelsea.

While Arteta chose to leave out Zinchenko for a Champions League match, it has been suggested that he would provide additional defensive security in those games where Arsenal need it. Zinchenko’s technical ability and attacking contribution were rarely questioned, especially after his spectacular goal against Burnley. The evidence of his blocking against Brentford suggests his defensive weaknesses this season may have been exaggerated.

Overall, the match against Brentford featured key moments in Arsenal’s favor, including heroic defending from the likes of Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko, as well as Kai Havertz’s winning goal. These moments highlight the unpredictable nature of football and the importance of individual contributions in shaping the outcome of matches.