Keith Andrews has issued a stern warning to Arsenal as his Brentford side prepares to host the Premier League leaders in a highly anticipated clash this week. The Bees, under Andrews' leadership, are enjoying a remarkable season that has defied widespread low expectations following a summer of significant player departures.
Brentford's Surprising Form Under Andrews
When Keith Andrews took over as manager of Brentford, replacing the experienced Thomas Frank, many predicted a challenging campaign for the club. The summer saw key players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard leave, leading to modest forecasts for the team's performance. However, Andrews has orchestrated a stunning turnaround, with Brentford currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table and coming off impressive back-to-back away victories against Aston Villa and Newcastle.
In a pre-match press conference, Andrews emphasized that while Arsenal is undoubtedly the best team in the country, his side possesses its own formidable threats. 'We're a pretty good attacking team ourselves. We've got a lot of strengths to how we play the game,' he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of the upcoming match but also highlighting Brentford's capabilities.
Andrews on the Challenge of Facing Arsenal
Andrews expressed respect for Arsenal's talent and tactical setup under manager Mikel Arteta, noting that his team must be vigilant throughout the entire game. 'There's absolutely no doubt it's going to be a really, really difficult game. They are the best team in the country. The table doesn't tend to lie,' he said. He added that Arsenal's individual brilliance and strategic versatility require Brentford to deliver a top performance to nullify their threats.
The manager stressed the need for constant focus, saying, 'You have to be on things for every minute of the game, every second of the game to try and nullify what they throw at you. So we'll have to produce a top performance.' This mindset reflects Brentford's confident approach as they aim to continue their surprising run of form.
Andrews' Reaction to Thomas Frank's Sacking
Amid preparations for the Arsenal match, Andrews learned of the sacking of his predecessor, Thomas Frank, by Tottenham. Frank, who left Brentford for Spurs, was dismissed after a home defeat to Newcastle. Andrews, who worked closely with Frank, expressed sadness and empathy for his friend and former colleague.
'I found out as I was in the meeting room, getting ready to present bits on Arsenal and my game plan to the players. I just got told about it,' Andrews recounted. 'So, very sad, really, was my initial feeling. Thomas is a friend, very aware of the football industry that we work in and what goes on in that. But my initial feeling was that of sadness and basically hope he's OK, which I'm sure he will be. But today is obviously a really tough day for him.'
Defending Frank's Managerial Abilities
Despite criticism that Frank was out of his depth at Tottenham, Andrews strongly defended his predecessor's capabilities. 'No, not for me,' he responded when asked if the criticism was fair. 'I must be really, really honest at this point in saying I really don't know what goes on at Spurs. I think you can appreciate I've got a really busy job myself. My absolute focus from day one has always been on this job.'
Andrews praised Frank's track record, stating, 'But the last comment you said, is that fair? Absolutely not. No, Thomas is a really good manager. I think he's proved that here over numerous years.' When questioned about Frank's future, Andrews laughed at the idea that he might not bounce back, asserting, 'I don't think that's in doubt. I think he's proved himself as a really good Premier League manager. Yeah, absolutely.'
As Brentford gears up for their clash with Arsenal, Andrews' comments underscore a team brimming with confidence and resilience, ready to challenge the league's top side while navigating the emotional complexities of the football world.
