Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
by Layth Yousif
at the Brentford Community Stadium

REISS NELSON’S eighth minute was enough to seal victory for a much-changed Arsenal side at Brentford on Wednesday evening.

The 23-year-old's early strike ensured the Gunners would progress to the fourth round of the League Cup, where they will face West Ham at the London Stadium after being drawn against them after the match.

Fresh from their disappointing 3-1 home defeat by Everton at the weekend, Bees boss Thomas Frank made only two changes, opting instead for a strong side to take on the Young Guns from North London - but to no avail.

In contrast, Mikel Arteta made eight changes from Sunday's 2-2 draw in the North London derby, with only Ben White, Gabriel and Eddie Nketiah making the starting XI. 

Aaron Ramsdale replaced Brentford's loanee keeper David Raya between the sticks on a rainy night in west London as Storm Agnes threatened. While 19-year-old academy forward Charles Sagoe Jnr's excellent displays at youth level earned him a first team starting debut at the ground where 15-year-old colleague Ethan Nwaneri was blooded a year ago.

It was Arsenal striker Nketiah who set up Nelson for his eighth first team goal in 70 appearances, pouncing on an errant backpass by Mathias Jorgensen. Nketiah, somewhat fortuitously, fed the ball to Nelson, who beat keeper Mark Flekken with aplomb, after Bees No13 Zanka failed to cut out the pass.

On the half hour, as the rain swirled, Emile Smith Rowe making his 100th appearance – and his first in a year - was foiled by keeper Flekken after dancing through the Bees backline.

The Bees rallied and nearly equalised when No11 Yoane Wissa fired narrowly wide from Christian Nørgaard's low cross.

Wissa, the 27-year-old former Lorient attacker, drew an excellent save from Ramsdale, who diverted the ball onto post after the interval as Brentford hunted an equaliser.

As the game opened up, Nelson fired narrowly wide following a sweeping move upfield with 20 minutes remaining, prior to Nketiah firing at Flekken shortly afterwards. Frank Onyeka then forced an excellent save from Ramsdale, but as the clock ticked down the score remained the same.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “I’m really happy. In this competition, you’re either in or out, and we’re in.”

Leaving the Gunners to progress to the fourth round - and Brentford still seeking their first victory in any competition since August 19.