Brentford celebrated their return to the top tier after a 74-year absence with a memorable victory over woeful Arsenal as they opened their Premier League season in style.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank made his entrance with an animated arm-waving plea for noise and support from fans inside the vibrant Brentford Community Stadium who had waited so long to savor a night like this. His side was skillful, vibrant, and energetic on a night of high emotions that inflicted serious pain on Arsenal in a sobering 90 minutes.
Brentford gave their all and fully deserved the lead awarded to them in the 22 nd minute when Sergi Canos drove low past keeper Bernd Leno at the near post.
Only Emile Smith Rowe truly rose above the mediocrity for Arsenal, forcing a save out of Brentford keeper David Raya – who also brilliantly denied Nicolas Pepe late on – before the home fans exploded in noise and elation when they scored a second with 17 minutes left.
Arsenal, without strike pair Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through illness, paid the price for a hopeless attempt to defend substitute Mads Sorensen’s routine long throw. New £50m defender Ben White was particularly culpable as Christian Norgaard arrived to head home.
Brentford’s supporters, understandably, celebrated wildly at the final whistle, but this was a result and performance that instantly turns the spotlight on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as he desperately needs an improvement.
Arsenal Got What They Deserved
Arsenal was handed a difficult opening assignment as there is always an element of jeopardy attached to a visit to a newly-promoted side.
This, however, was light years from what will be required this season and manager Arteta has work to do to knock the Gunners into shape on this evidence.
Yes, he was missing strikers Lacazette and Aubameyang, while Saka only started on the bench, but the lack of resolve, the lack of a coherent plan, and the lack of threat when they needed to fight their way back into contention were alarming.
Arsenal is familiar with the criticisms that will be aimed at them, namely a failure to match the fight and physical assets of opponents, but here they can have no answer to the charges. They were weak in all areas, especially in defense, with Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers also on the rack throughout.
Keeper Leno was at fault for the first goal, put his defense under pressure playing out from the back and almost gifted Brighton a third, providing evidence why Arteta is in the market for a new number one.
This was a thoroughly wretched night in every respect for Arteta and his players. They will hope it is a one-off, but the club’s detractors will say they have seen too many nightmares like this.