Mikel Arteta men were without both Aubameyang and Lacazette due to illness, Arteta chose not to start Bukayo Saka for the clash. Instead chose forward line of Pepe, Balogun, and Martinelli all struggled to get a goal for the Gunners. And at the back, Ben White made his debut for the club but things didn’t look much better either.
Goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard were enough for the Bees to see off the Gunners, who put in a typical inept defensive display. Despite Ben White starting well enough in the game but later struggle with the presence of Ivan Toney.
Newcomers Brentford had nothing to lose in front of a delighted full house of by 17,000 fans in their tidy new stadium on Friday night. An amazing start to their first ever English top-flight season for 74 years as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard earned a 2-0 win over Arsenal.
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A full capacity may have surprised the team following an absence from top flight 74 years ago, the Bees spent the first season at their new home playing behind closed doors, but rose to the occasion as they were cheered on by 17,000 fans in the first Premier League match against Arsenal.
Brentford were roared on by 17,000 fans in the first Premier League match at full capacity since March 2020.
“What an atmosphere. “The first time in the top-flight, we are opening the Premier League season and for our own fans, they can dream. ” said Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
We are top of the league, “We are going to celebrate every win, but we want more.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had been unfortunate and is already under pressure to deliver after finishing eighth in each of his first two seasons in charge. Arteta may have few saving grace to redeem himself before the September international break with title favourites Chelsea and Manchester City in Arsenal’s next two games.
“I don’t think we deserved anything different,” said Arteta in a damning indictment of his side.
Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports following Arsenal lost to Brentford last night, said Ben White needs to do more if he’s to succeed as a centre-back in a back four.
“He is not going to get taller so he has got to be cleverer with his body shape and movement to deal with big strikers. You want to see him do well but I must say that he was linked with Liverpool for the last 12 to 18 months.
“That my fear was that l didn’t want him to come to Liverpool because he is not tall enough and not good enough in the air.
When he played in a back three at his former club Brighton, the two alongside him were giants. People are going to be watching tonight and think ‘just play long balls on Ben White’s head and you will get joy’.
