Brentford 0 : 1 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised “exceptional” Aaron Ramsdale on his return to the team as the Gunners won at Brentford in the Carabao Cup third round.
Reiss Nelson scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute after a mistake in defence by the hosts.
But the display of goalkeeper Ramsdale, benched in favour of David Raya in Arsenal’s last three games, proved pivotal in ensuring Arteta’s side booked a fourth-round meeting at West Ham.
He caught the eye when he made a crucial second-half save from Yoane Wissa as Brentford put the visitors under heavy pressure in the second half.
“For sure, he’s been exceptional around the place – and especially with the situation,” said Arteta of Ramsdale.
“We love him, for sure. We know his character and what he brings to the team and we are happy to have him. Every player is very important.
“Today he had the opportunity to play and he had a really good game.”
Arsenal will travel to Premier League rivals West Ham United in the week commencing 30 October for a place in the quarter-finals.
Ramsdale had started the season as Arsenal’s first-choice, but Arteta caused a stir by replacing him with Raya for the 1-0 win against Everton on 17 September.
It was a quiet start for him as Brentford struggled to create opportunities in a first half where they didn’t manage a shot on goal.
But the hosts were much improved after the break and Ramsdale was called upon to superbly push Wissa’s shot on to the post before the rebound was cleared.
It proved a crucial intervention as Arsenal weathered the storm to stretch their unbeaten start to eight games.
Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “I hate losing so it’s always tough to take but very pleased with the performance. That is the thing we can build on.
“Good performance in the first half and excellent in the second half. I think Arsenal were very lucky to get away with this with the chances we created in the second half.”
