They are a superstitious lot, football people. So the sight of a player called Vieira scoring for Arsenal in an imperious performance that returns them to the top of the table is going to have a lot read into it.
Yet why not? Here was another display that suggests Arsenal have the mettle to contend, and certainly the strength to finish in the top four and return to the Champions League, qualities that used to be taken for granted under Arsene Wenger.
So at the very least Mikel Arteta has them edging towards former glories, even if few are seeing beyond Manchester City and Erling Haaland for the title.
Fabio Vieira marked his full Arsenal debut by scoring their third goal on a comfortable Sunday lunchtime win at Brentford
Vieira’s goal delighted the travelling fans, who sung the name like old times, as they returned to the top of the Premier League
Gabriel Jesus shows off his dance moves after scoring Arsenal’s second goal, a commanding header in the first-half
For now, though, City have a little catching up to do. Arsenal are a point clear going into the international break and this was an impressive result.
The cynical will claim it’s only Brentford, but Thomas Frank’s team started the day in the top half of the league and with Ivan Toney called into the England squad, the first Brentford man to be so recognised since Les Smith in 1939.
So Arsenal establishing a commanding 2-0 lead by half-time was impressive. Fabio Vieira, on his first Premier League start, then put the outcome beyond doubt just three minutes into the second-half.
Bukayo Saka slipped the ball inside to him and the young Portuguese midfielder – recruited from Porto this summer – hit a shot that defeated David Raya and went in off the inside of a post.
The visiting fans dusted off a favourite old song about a chap called Vieira, who came to Arsenal from foreign lands, Portugal perfectly fitting where Senegal used to be. Just as well he didn’t arrive from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Gunners defender William Saliba leaps to direct Bukayo Saka’s corner kick beyond the Brentford goalkeeper David Raya
Raya tried his best to keep the ball out but it was clearly over the line following Saliba’s header with Gabriel Jesus lurking
The margin could have been greater. Gabriel Jesus went on a fine run only for his shot to be saved by Raya after 57 minutes, while a lovely passing move involving Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus, ended with Saka forcing an excellent stop from Raya on 66 minutes.
At the other end, very little. Toney received the shortest of free-kicks, flicked it up and then struck it on the volley, just over, but otherwise it was a game to forget, and a reminder of the step up that international football will be.
For Arsenal, though, it just kept getting better. As four minutes injury time was signalled, Mikel Arteta introduced Ethan Nwaneri for Vieira, at 15 years and 181 days the youngest player in Premier League history, taking the mantle claimed by Harvey Elliott – 16 years and 30 days – for Liverpool in 2019.
He didn’t touch the ball in any meaningful way but that doesn’t matter. To be trusted with involvement at his age suggests unique potential. There are many reasons to feel positive about Arsenal right now. The omens are good.
Jesus got in front of the Brentford defence to head home Granit Xhaka’s cross and double Arsenal’s advantage
The Brazilian forward celebrated in hallmark fashion after scoring what is already his fifth goal since arriving from Man City
Match facts
Brentford (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Ajer, Mee, Henry; Jansson, Janelt (Onyeka 63), Jensen (Baptiste 69); Mbeumo (Wissa 76), Toney, Dasilva (Damsgaard 63)
Substitutes not used: Strakosha (GK); Canos, Ghoddos, Roerslev, Zanka
Manager: Thomas Frank
Arsenal (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White (Tomiyasu 86), Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira (Nwaneri 90+2), Partey (Lokonga 78), Xhaka; Saka (Marquinhos 90+2), Jesus, Martinelli (Nketiah 78)
Substitutes not used: Turner (GK); Holding, Smith, Sousa
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Scorers: Saliba 17; Jesus 28; Vieira 49 Booked: Xhaka, Jesus
Referee: David Coote
This was touted as a difficult game for Arsenal. Beaten and second best here on the opening game of the 2021-22 season, they were now without captain Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko, a revelation at full-back since his move from Manchester City. Not to worry. Arsenal are made of sterner stuff these days.
The reverse at Manchester United two weeks ago was a disappointment but Arsenal were far better than the 3-1 scoreline suggested. And this was the perfect bounce back.
A goal up after 17 minutes, lead doubled after 27, it could have been even worse for Brentford, had Gabriel Martinelli not slipped at a vital moment after two minutes when Granit Xhaka – captain on the day – put the ball on a plate for him.
Arsenal were on top from that moment, defending well against Gareth Southgate’s latest call-up, Ivan Toney, and the rest of the front-line. ‘Nice kickabout with the boys,’ Toney tweeted after Brentford’s last victory over Arsenal here, a jibe he may have lived to regret despite the positive turn in personal circumstances.
Ethan Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 181 days when he came on late in the game
The two sets of fans observed an impeccable minute’s silence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ahead of kick-off
The stadium then rose again on 70 minutes to applaud to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne
It will have been remembered by some in the Arsenal ranks and those that were unaware or had forgotten will most certainly have been reminded.
Certainly, Arsenal set about Brentford with purpose. They were a physical match and technically superior and their danger in the air is possibly their most under-rated quality. In the 17th minute, a lovely corner from Bukayo Saka on the right was met by William Saliba with a glancing header. It was a tight angle, but beautifully directed.
The ball struck the far post and was palmed out by David Raya, but not before it had crossed the line by some distance. Referee David Coote was duly alerted by his magic watch and the goal was given.
Then, ten minutes later, Arsenal took very firm control. Xhaka and Kieran Tierney exchanged passes on the left before Xhaka struck a fine cross met by Gabriel Jesus in a foolish amount of space. Like Zinchenko, he has blossomed since leaving Manchester City and his header gave Raya no chance.
