Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal hit by virus before vital EPL win at Brentford

LONDON – Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal’s preparations for their 3-1 win at Brentford on Jan 1 were hampered by a virus that swept through his squad.

Several of Arsenal’s stars were struck down by the illness on the eve of the crucial English Premier League clash.

German forward Kai Havertz was sent home with the bug, while England midfielder Declan Rice was only able to come off the bench in the second half.

Martin Odegaard reportedly struggled with the virus ahead of kick-off and although he was able to start, the Arsenal captain made a mistake that led to Bryan Mbeumo’s opener and was replaced in the second half.

But the Gunners recovered impressively at the Brentford Community Stadium to climb back into the title race, even in star winger Bukayo Saka’s absence due to a hamstring injury.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli ensured Arsenal would not be derailed.

“It affected players on the pitch and off the pitch,” Arteta said after second-placed Arsenal moved within six points of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

“It is nothing serious. But it wasn’t the ideal situation. In relation to the symptoms, with Kai it was obvious. He wasn’t feeling well at all. He had very clear symptoms so stay away from it, put him in a car, and go back to London.

“These things happen. In this period, there are always things thrown at you – infections, viruses, so I try to delay the line-up as late as possible because you can get up in the morning and unfortunately have a surprise like this.”

Arteta is hopeful the virus will have abated for his side’s trip to Brighton on Jan 4.

But the absences did also offer 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League start.

“He’s definitely going to get chances with Saka not available,” former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told the BBC. “It’s all there under the bonnet, waiting to come out.

“It’s really important you have those players in the group demonstrating the quality coming out of the academy.”

Arteta added: “He was really composed, really determined, taking risks, taking initiative. Very impressive.”

In west London on Jan 1, things began badly for the Gunners as Mbeumo gave his side a 13th-minute lead with the home side’s first attack.

He surged forward and was given too much space to cut in from the right and fire a shot past David Raya.

Raya was almost left red-faced soon after when he allowed a Mbeumo shot to burst through his gloves, but he managed to race back and claw the ball off the line.

It proved a pivotal moment as less than a minute later, Brentford were guilty of failing to clear the ball and it eventually arrived for Thomas Partey to fire a shot that was parried by Mark Flekken and Jesus dived to head in the rebound.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his last four games for Arsenal in all competitions, as many as in his previous 48 games for the club.

“I keep working and everyone at the club can tell how I work every day, not just me but everyone,” Jesus said. “I don’t give up and it is not easy to play for a big club like Arsenal.”

The Gunners’ efficiency from set pieces was evident again early in the second half when a corner caused chaos in the area and Merino was able to fire home a loose ball.

Martinelli gave the visitors breathing space with a superb finish when the ball came out to him on the edge of the box.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I think we did a lot of things right and overall it was a good performance. The first half was extremely good and I liked the way we played – we were brave on the ball.

“We were brave under high pressure as well and overall I think we did well. The finest of margins we have to do better.

“We need to do better than one more goal. If you want to beat Arsenal, we need to do everything right.” AFP, REUTERS