Christian Norgaard’s header was his first league purpose in England – after failing to attain in 59 Championship appearances
Brentford celebrated their return to the highest tier after a 74-year absence with a memorable, magnificent victory over woeful Arsenal as they opened their Premier League marketing campaign in fashion.
Thomas Frank’s facet had been vibrant, skilful and energetic on an evening of excessive emotion on the Brentford Group Stadium, making the right begin to the season, however inflicting severe ache on the Gunners in a sobering 90 minutes for the guests.
Brentford took to life within the huge time with ease and absolutely deserved the lead given to them after 22 minutes when Sergi Canos drove low previous keeper Bernd Leno on the close to submit, though Arsenal complained bitterly that the ball had gone out of play within the build-up.
Solely Emile Smith Rowe actually rose above the mediocrity for Arsenal, forcing a save out of Brentford keeper David Raya – who additionally brilliantly denied Nicolas Pepe late on – earlier than the house followers exploded in noise and elation after they scored a second with 17 minutes left.
Arsenal, with out strike pair Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by way of sickness, paid the value for a hopeless try to defend substitute Mads Bech Sorensen’s routine lengthy throw. New £50m defender Ben White was significantly culpable as Christian Norgaard arrived to go house.
Brentford’s supporters, understandably, celebrated wildly on the remaining whistle, however this was a end result and efficiency that immediately turns the highlight on Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta as he desperately wants an enchancment on final season.
Brentford make highly effective assertion
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal: Frank praises “nice” Brentford after first Premier League win
Brentford couldn’t have made a greater begin to life within the Premier League, exhibiting the pedigree that has made them such an entertaining facet on their journey to this stage.
On a thunderous night time on the Brentford Group Stadium, the world was alive with noise and pleasure properly earlier than kick-off – and what occurred when the motion began solely raised these ranges.
Robust days will inevitably lie forward for the top-flight newcomers, however this was an evening when the Bees confirmed what they had been all about underneath charismatic supervisor Frank.
As soon as they realised Arsenal had little provide after the early exchanges, Brentford took cost and Bryan Mbeumo had already struck the submit earlier than Canos opened the scoring.
They grew in confidence, profitable the bodily challenges, attacking swiftly and, on the uncommon events he was known as upon, keeper Raya appeared a category act.
Frank and his gamers rightly savoured the second on the remaining whistle – in entrance of supporters who did themselves large credit score with the standing ovation given to Arsenal substitute Bukayo Saka, who was racially abused after lacking a penalty in England’s Euro 2020 remaining loss to Italy.
This was fairly merely how Brentford would have scripted it. No-one can begrudge them their victory – and the way during which they revelled in it.
Abject Arsenal get what they deserved
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta ‘extraordinarily disenchanted’ after Brentford defeat
Arsenal had been handed a tough opening project as there’s all the time a component of jeopardy connected to a go to to a newly-promoted facet.
This, nonetheless, was mild years from what might be required this season and supervisor Arteta has work to do to knock the Gunners into form on this proof.
Sure, he was lacking strikers Lacazette and Aubameyang, whereas Saka solely began on the bench, however the lack of resolve, the dearth of a coherent plan and lack of menace after they wanted to battle their method again into rivalry was alarming.
Solely Smith Rowe appeared able to offering a spark whereas it was a harrowing begin to life at Arsenal for costly summer time acquisition White. He was tormented all through and a part of a determined try to defend the throw-in that led to Brentford’s second purpose.
Arsenal are conversant in the criticisms that might be aimed toward them, particularly a failure to match the battle and bodily belongings of opponents, however right here they’ll don’t have any reply to the costs. They had been weak in all areas, particularly in defence, with Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers additionally on the rack all through.
Keeper Leno was at fault for the primary purpose, put his defence underneath strain enjoying out from the again and nearly gifted Brentford a 3rd, offering proof why Arteta is out there for a brand new primary.
This was a totally wretched night time in each respect for Arteta and his gamers. They are going to hope it’s a one-off, however the membership’s detractors will say they’ve seen too many nightmares like this.
Participant of the match
ToneyIvan Toney
Brentford
Squad quantity17Participant titleToney
Squad quantity19Participant titleMbeumo
Squad quantity7Participant titleCanós
Squad quantity5Participant titlePinnock
Squad quantity3Participant titleHenry
Squad quantity6Participant titleNørgaard
Squad quantity28Participant titleBidstrup
Squad quantity27Participant titleJanelt
Squad quantity18Participant titleJansson
Squad quantity9Participant titleForss
Squad quantity20Participant titleAjer
Squad quantity15Participant titleOnyeka
Squad quantity29Participant titleBech Sørensen
Squad quantity1Participant titleRaya
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 3-5-2
1Raya
20Ajer18Jansson5Pinnock
7Canós15Onyeka6Nørgaard27Janelt3Henry
19Mbeumo17Toney
1Raya20AjerSubstituted forBech Sørensenat 71′minutes18Jansson5Pinnock7Canós15OnyekaSubstituted forBidstrupat 80′minutes6Nørgaard27Janelt3Henry19MbeumoSubstituted forForssat 86′minutes17Toney
Substitutes
4Goode9Forss11Wissa13Gunnarsson14Ghoddos21Dervisoglu28Bidstrup29Bech Sørensen30Roerslev
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Leno
21Chambers4White22Marí3Tierney
23Sambi Lokonga34Xhaka
19Pépé10Smith Rowe35Martinelli
26Balogun
1Leno21ChambersSubstituted forTavaresat 81′minutes4White22Marí3Tierney23Sambi Lokonga34Xhaka19Pépé10Smith Rowe35MartinelliSubstituted forNelsonat 71′minutes26BalogunSubstituted forSakaat 59′minutes
Substitutes
2Bellerín7Saka15Maitland-Niles16Holding17Cédric Soares20Tavares24Nelson25Elneny49Hein
Referee:Michael Oliver
Attendance:16,479
Stay Textual content
Match ends, Brentford 2, Arsenal 0.
Second Half ends, Brentford 2, Arsenal 0.
Foul by Nuno Tavares (Arsenal).
Ivan Toney (Brentford) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
Try missed. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) proper footed shot from the precise facet of the field is excessive and broad to the precise. Assisted by Reiss Nelson.
Try blocked. Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the field is blocked. Assisted by Kieran Tierney with a cross.
Try missed. Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is excessive and broad to the precise. Assisted by Kieran Tierney.
Nuno Tavares (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the precise wing.
Foul by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
Try missed. Pablo Marí (Arsenal) header from the precise facet of the six yard field is excessive and broad to the precise. Assisted by Emile Smith Rowe with a cross following a nook.
Try saved. Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the field is saved within the backside left nook. Assisted by Kieran Tierney.
Nook, Arsenal. Conceded by David Raya.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
Harmful play by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
Substitution, Brentford. Marcus Forss replaces Bryan Mbeumo.
Try missed. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) left footed shot from outdoors the field is shut, however misses to the precise. Assisted by Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Nook, Arsenal. Conceded by Vitaly Janelt.
Try missed. Nuno Tavares (Arsenal) left footed shot from outdoors the field is just too excessive. Assisted by Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Nuno Tavares (Arsenal) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
Foul by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
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