Arsenal’s trip to Brentford this weekend may not carry the glamour of Tuesday’s European masterclass, but it matters all the same.
The win over Real Madrid was spectacular. Declan Rice stunned the football world. Emirates Stadium roared. But now it is time to reset.
As Mikel Arteta put it, the Brentford match will “require the best of us.” That message is clear. Focus must shift back to the Premier League, no matter how tempting it is to dwell on that historic Champions League display.
There is still something to play for domestically, even if the title feels a stretch. Liverpool’s lead is significant, but this is not over. “It’s a really, really long Premier League season,” Arteta reminded reporters this week. The margins remain tight, and surprises still happen. Arsenal must keep winning to be ready in case a door opens.
Brentford will not roll over. Thomas Frank’s side are physical, structured and tricky to break down. Arteta knows this. His praise for Brentford’s organisation and belief was deliberate. “It’s going to be a really tough test for us,” he said.
The Gunners are no strangers to balancing European and domestic demands. It is the territory of big clubs. This is the stretch of the season where elite teams show their depth and resilience. Arsenal have to prove they belong in that bracket.
Maintaining momentum is key. The performance against Real Madrid was more than a result. It was a statement. But the danger lies in emotional hangovers. Arteta addressed this directly. “It’s not about bringing them back. It’s about maintaining that energy,” he said.
Rotation may be necessary, but the mindset must remain aggressive. Bukayo Saka is fit. So is Rice. The spine of the team is intact. Arteta will likely tweak personnel but not intent.
Brentford have not won away at Arsenal since 1938. History is against them. Still, Arteta will be wary of their threats in transition and from set pieces. “They create a lot of chaos,” he warned. Arsenal must stay sharp.
A Champions League semi-final beckons, but that cannot be the focus. Saturday comes first. Arsenal have a job to do. That is the price of competing at the top. There are no free weekends.
This is not a game they can afford to take lightly. Nor should they.
