Highlights: Brentford 2-0 Arsenal, Bees celebrate Premier League opener with memorable win over sluggish Gunners
Brentford made a remarkable start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over a sluggish Arsenal on the first night of the season.
Brentford made a remarkable start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over a sluggish Arsenal on the first night of the season.
Sergi Canos caught Bernd Leno off guard with a flashing, near-post shot from 15 yards in the 22nd minute, amid a festive atmosphere for Brentford’s first top-flight game since 1947, and the first in front of a full house at their new stadium.
Arsenal fought back early in the second half but were unable to find a way back into the game, falling behind 2-0 to Christian Norgaard’s header after poor defending from a long throw with 17 minutes remaining.
“New season, same old story,” Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said on commentary, and things aren’t getting any easier for Arsenal in the Premier League; they host Chelsea and then travel to Manchester City, but Brentford sit atop the table for at least a few hours on a night to remember for their returning fans.
Player ratings
Brentford: Raya (7), Henry (7), Pinnock (7), Jansson (7), Ajer (7), Norgaard (8), Canos (8), Janelt (7), Onyeka (7), Mbeumo (8), Toney (8)
Subs: Sorensen (6), Bidstrup (NA), Forss (NA)
Arsenal: Leno (5), Tierney (7), White (4), Chambers (4), Mari (4), Xhaka (5), Lokonga (5), Smith Rowe (7), Pepe (6), Martinelli (5), Balogun (5)
Subs: Saka (5), Nelson (5), Tavares (NA)
Man of the match: Ivan Toney
On opening night, the Bees stung a flat Arsenal.
Brentford’s starting XI contained Ivan Toney, who had played 10 minutes in the Premier League, while Arsenal’s front four included two 20-year-olds, a 21-year-old, and a 26-year-old, but by full-time, it was evident who looked the more savvy.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank pledged to be daring this season, and after a loud reception in west London, it was the visitors who took the lead in the first half.
After failing to register a touch in the final third in the first ten minutes, Frank made a gesture to encourage his teammates to push harder, and he was rewarded almost immediately. They took the lead minutes after Bryan Mbeumo had hit the post from an angle on the right side of the box – Leno had it covered.
Canos cut in from the left of the box during a period of pressure and caught Leno off guard with a low attempt into the bottom-left corner. The home audience exploded in applause.
It should have been two minutes later; Mbeumo appeared to have lost the ball in the box, but recovered it before swiveling past two Arsenal players, but dragged his effort wide with only Leno to beat.
News from the team
Thomas Frank started with a back three and gave new acquisition Kristoffer Ajer his first start in defense. After scoring in the pre-season win over Valencia, fellow new acquisition Frank Onyeka was also given a start in midfield, while Ivan Toney was fit enough to lead the line.
Mikel Arteta started Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun, as well as Ben White and Albert Lokonga, because Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were injured. Granit Xhaka has been selected captain of the team.
Arsenal’s defense, which included new £50 million acquisition Ben White, struggled to cope with Brentford’s high press and running in behind in the first half, but they improved in the second half when Emile Smith Rowe’s fantastic turn, run, and shot was turned away by David Raya.
On the hour mark, Folarin Balogun was replaced by Bukayo Saka, who received a standing ovation from all four stands following a memorable Euro 2020 with England for both the right and wrong reasons.
When Bukayo Saka came on as a second-half substitute, the Brentford and Arsenal fans gave him a standing ovation.
Soon after, Kieran Tierney’s deflected shot drifted inches wide of the post, as did Granit Xhaka’s blasted effort at the far post, but Brentford scored with little over 15 minutes remaining.
Toney went ahead of White for the flick on from Mads Bech Sorensen’s long ball, allowing Norgaard to simply head home a few yards away.
In the build-up, Arsenal would believe Pontus Jansson fouled Leno, but the visitors’ overall dreadful defence caused Carragher to conclude on commentary: “How would you characterize Arsenal’s defending in this situation? It’s all about Arsenal. Weak and bullied Same old story, new season.”
But it was a new chapter in Brentford’s history as they rode the emotional wave to start their first Premier League season with a flawless performance.
Brentford will go to Crystal Palace on Saturday at 3 p.m., while Arsenal will face Chelsea on Super Sunday at 4.30 p.m., live on Sky Sports Premier League.
