Brentford kickoff their Premier League bow with a memorable 2-0 victory over a poor defending Arsenal on the opening night of the new season with Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard goals give Bees perfect start.
The Bees took the lead as Sergi Canos caught out Bernd Leno with a flashed, near-post effort from 15 yards in the 22nd minute in an amid celebratory atmosphere for Brentford’s first top-flight game since 1947 in front of a full house at their new stadium.
Arsenal failed to find a leveller after rallied briefly in the second half but found themselves 2-0 down again through Christian Norgaard’s header following poor defending from a long throw with 17 minutes remaining.
At kick-off, Brentford’s starting XI had 10 minutes of Premier League experience in Ivan Toney, while Arsenal’s front four included two 20-year-olds, a 21-year-old and a 26-year-old, but it was clear by full-time who looked the more savvy.
Affter his side received a raucous welcome in west London, it was the hosts who had the advantage in the first half as Brentford manager Thomas Frank had promised to be bold this season.
Having failed to register a touch in the final third in the first 10 minutes, Frank gestured to urge his side to push higher, and he was immediately rewarded. Minutes after Bryan Mbeumo had hit the post from an angle on the right of the box – Leno did have it covered – they took the lead.
Christian Norgaard wheels away after doubling Brentford’s lead
Arsenal will feel there was a foul by Pontus Jansson on Leno in the build-up, but the visitors’ otherwise calamitous defending prompted Carragher to conclude on commentary: “How would you describe Arsenal’s defending here? It’s just Arsenal. Weak, bullied. New season, same old story.”
But it was a new chapter in Brentford’s history as they rode the wave of emotion to get their first Premier League season off to the perfect start with a faultless display.
“The fans were amazing, what an atmosphere. I’m a bit speechless. First time in the top flight, we’re opening the Premier League season, fans can dream we’re number one in the Premier League. It’s a fantastic story.
“We’re just a bus stop in Hounslow, we’re not supposed to be here. We will celebrate every win, but we want more.
“I think the players today were amazing, they ran themselves to the ground, played with intensity, they were brave and pressed high constantly.
“On set-pieces I thought we were better, that’s why we did long throws and at times we could go high and knew that we could win the ball and create chances.
Ivan (Toney) has an unbelievable character and mentality and he has such a presence on the pitch. How many duels he wins… he can link-up and press for the team. He is very important to us.
“Bryan (Mbuemo) did a good job of stretching them, of going one-v-one and with his pace he is a big threat.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “I’m disappointed. It’s not the way we wanted to start the season. We didn’t start well, conceding a goal in an isolated incident. We didn’t cope well with the second balls or long balls. And that’s all they needed to create problems for us. Then we conceded from a long throw.
“The biggest worry was our threat in front of goal. The amount of times we got around the box and got in great situations but it wasn’t enough threat or shots on target. If you don’t do that in the Premier League then you won’t win.
“I don’t want excuses – we missed players but I don’t like to hide. We weren’t good enough to beat them. We didn’t do the basics. It’s a long run, we’ve started in a disappointing way but we’ll review and speak with cool heads and try to put it right as soon as possible.” Said the Gunners manager
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