Thomas Frank’s side have beaten Manchester United, City and Liverpool this season and he warns they are ‘still improving’
But losing to Brentford should no longer feel like an affront. They have been damned with faint praise in recent weeks: Mikel Arteta talked respectfully of set pieces and low defensive blocks at the Emirates but little of the inventive attacking play that could easily have seen Arsenal go two down; after Liverpool’s capitulation last month Jürgen Klopp drew the attention to long balls, “chaos” and a propensity to “stretch the rules” at corners.
Frank would not go that far in regard to his peers but agreed any obsession with the less glamorous side of their game is reductive. “I’m happy to see people think we’re good at set pieces because we are,” he said. “I’m pleased to see and hear that we are good in the low block and defending well. I think that narrative has become bigger because we’ve done it very well against the top six, way above the normal level of other teams playing them, so of course we get a well-deserved credit.
“I do hope people see we are a bit more than defending low and set pieces. Even against the top six we are pressing high: the stats on goalkicks show we are one of the best teams at closing down or pressing man to man. Hopefully we also get some credit for that.” Only five teams have scored more goals and, in Ivan Toney, they have a centre-forward who has hit virtually unplayable levels when fit: William Saliba, for one, can attest to that. Although Brentford’s shot count is the third-lowest in the division, the quality of chance they create is among the highest.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tiger Woods hands tampon to Justin Thomas during his comeback roundTiger Woods’ apparent prank on his playing partner at the Genesis Invitational tournament has been met with disapproval online
Read more »
Sorrento: $27m clifftop mansion with bizarre Angelina Jolie link turning heads - realestate.com.auThe luxe home is turning heads on the Mornington Peninsula with its eye-popping price tag and materials sourced from across Europe. See inside
Read more »
Tiger Woods forced to apologise for controversial momentTiger Woods has been forced to backtrack on a controversial joke he played on his playing partner and close friend Justin Thomas during the first round of the Genesis Invitational.
Read more »
White House wants to ‘quell international tensions’ after unidentified objects shot downThe White House's motivation in addressing the recent unidentified objects is seen to be “about quelling international tensions”, says Sky News Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen. 'This seems to be more about the fact that they’re going to have to interact with the Chinese at the security summit in Europe,” Ms Nielsen told Sky News host James Morrow. “It’s the first time they’re going to have to meet face-to-face on a high level since they had to call off Antony Blinken’s meeting.”
Read more »
Voice advocate says Dutton's public comments are at odds with private meetingsReferendum working group member and Uluru Statement advocate Thomas Mayo says Peter Dutton's comments to the media about the Voice are 'disappointing' and do not reflect what he said when he met with the group.
Read more »
Locals assess damage from Port Lincoln bushfire, as crews continue to battle blazeDaniel Woodward had little time to collect his dogs before his house was destroyed by a bushfire that broke out near the South Australian town of Port Lincoln yesterday. Nearby, Rohan Freeman's family watched as the fire reached their back door.
Read more »