‘I think this will be a game where set pieces play a really big part’ – Keith Andrews ahead of Arsenal | OneFootball

Brentford manager Keith Andrews says he thinks set pieces will play a huge role in the Bees’ clash with Arsenal this week.

Andrews joined Brentford in the summer of 2024 as their set piece coach, and took over as manager after Thomas Frank departed to Tottenham this summer.

Arsenal have scored 11 goals from set pieces this season (the most in the league), and their set piece coach Nicolas Jover is known to play a crucial role in how the team plays.

On the role of set pieces in this game, Andrews said: “Yeah, I think there will always be a lot made of that. The set-piece battle invariably between two teams that are pretty good at that aspect of the game. Most games, set-pieces play a part, I would say, to different levels. I think this will be a game where it plays a really big part and we hope we can come out the right side of that.”

Brentford are currently 10th in the league, which is much better than most people expected them to be doing. Arsenal are top of the table, and Andrews was full of praise for the Gunners and their manager.

“Obviously very impressive. A coach that respects every phase of the game. That’s been pretty evident as the team has grown over the number of years that he’s been in charge. Really, really impressive how they set up their team. The edge that they play with and obviously a lot of really, really talented individuals. So they’re clearly having a very good season.”

Asked if this will be Brentford’s toughest game of the season so far, Andrews said: “Yeah, I think when you look at it in those terms it’s pretty obvious it’s going to be a difficult task. I think it’s also a task that we need to embrace. 

“I think we’re in a really good place as a team. Our confidence should be at a place where we’re confident of going to a place like that and absolutely competing to win the game. That’s where I want us to be and that’s where I feel we will be.”