Keith Andrews has offered a detailed assessment of Mikel Arteta and his side ahead of Thursday night’s meeting, praising both Arsenal’s structure and their set-piece threat as Brentford prepare for what he expects to be a decisive contest.
Arsenal travel across London with the strongest set-piece record in the Premier League this season, having scored 15 goals from dead-ball situations.
Brentford, by contrast, have let in just four this campaign, the lowest figure in the division, setting up what Keith Andrews believes will be a defining element of the match.
“I’ve got no doubt that [set-pieces] will be a huge part of the game,” said Andrews. “We can cause a lot of chaos ourselves from those situations.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing how that story unfolds.”
The Brentford head coach was unequivocal in his admiration for Arsenal’s development under Mikel Arteta.
“Arsenal are a really good team,” he added. “They know how to win football matches, regardless of what’s thrown at them throughout games.
“I’ve got ultimate respect for the way that Mikel Arteta sets up his team and the way he goes about his business, the journey that he’s brought the team on, and the mentality that he’s instilled in the group.
“Set-pieces have been a part of where they’ve got to… there are some key components as to why they’re so good at them: the delivery, they’ve got some big players, they’re well organised, their timing, and they attack the ball with aggression
“There are some key components as to why they’re so good at them: the delivery, they’ve got some big players, they’re well organised, their timing, and they attack the ball with aggression”
“But, equally, the individuals that they have, whoever they call upon, are seriously talented.
“They’re also excellent out of possession, the way they defend as a unit, whether it’s high or when they drop low and defend their box.
“A lot of the players have been together for a few years now and you can see those relationships are now pretty tight.
“They’re a very, very well-coached team.”
Andrews was also asked to reflect on Brentford’s own work from set-pieces this season.
“You’d always want to score more! That’s the nature of the way we play the game.
“Stephen [Rice] has come in as set-piece coach, and we’re constantly working on that part of our game: the relationships, the routines, the leaders within that, and the different voices that come into that.
“We’re constantly looking to strive in that department; it’s a huge part of what we do.”