Goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard consigned Arsenal to an opening-night Premier League defeat at newly-promoted Brentford on Friday.
Roared on by a raucous crowd, the hosts took the lead when Canos fired home at the near post midway through the first half.
Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka went close to equalising for the Gunners, but Norgaard made sure of victory for Thomas Frank’s side when he headed home from close range with 17 minutes to play.
A fixture at Brentford Community Stadium – at capacity for the first time – on the first day of the season was always going to be a stiff test for Mikel Arteta’s side, whose task was made tougher before kick-off, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unwell and not available for selection.
Folarin Balogun started as a result, spearheading an attack also featuring Nicolas Pepe and recent Olympic gold medalist, Gabriel Martinelli. Ben White and Sambi Lokonga were handed Arsenal debuts, with fellow new arrival, Nuno Tavares, on the bench.
This was Brentford’s first top-flight match in 74 years, with their buoyant fans understandably bouncing at kick-off. Arsenal immediately set about asserting their authority on proceedings though, winning a corner inside the first minute, before Kieran Tierney stung the palms of David Raya.
Arteta’s side dominated possession in the early stages, but Brentford carried a threat on the counter – a point emphasised when Bryan Mbeumo combined nicely with strike partner, Ivan Toney, before flashing a shot against the outside of the post.
Midway through the half, Brentford came forward again. And this time, they scored. After Ethan Pinnock had found him in the left channel, Canos took a touch inside before firing a fierce shot in at the near post.
It almost got worse for Arsenal soon after but, after beating White, the lively Mbeumo dragged his shot wide.
In truth, the Gunners struggled to craft a clear-cut opportunity during the opening 45 minutes, though they could have been awarded a penalty on the half-hour, when Balogun was caught by Rico Henry after the defender’s momentum had seen him collide with the forward after initially making contact with the ball.
Arsenal, led by the impressive Emile Smith Rowe, began the second half with renewed impetus, and could have been level five minutes after the restart, when our No 10 received the ball on the half turn before advancing at goal and seeing his shot palmed away by Raya.
Bukayo Saka, on for Balogun just before the hour mark, almost made an instant impact, instigating a counter-attack which finished with Tierney’s shot deflected just off target. From the resulting corner, Martinelli’s header floated agonisingly across goal and away to safety. Then, soon after, Granit Xhaka’s powerful shot flew just over the bar.
But then, out of nowhere, Brentford extended their lead when Arsenal failed to clear Pinnock’s long throw, allowing Norgaard to profit – the midfielder powering home a header from close range.
Arsenal kept going, and almost pulled one back when Raya brilliantly denied Pepe – but there was to be no grandstand finish.
#arsenal #brentford
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38 Comments
You gotta realize you guys messed up when Chelsea and Tottenham fans (your enemies) start feeling bad for you
Arsenal early 2000s invincibles were long gone
BADUT EPL
66% possession,22 shots,4 on target.Let’s be honest here,everything is wrong with this club
Arsenal have the best jersey
I’m a Spurs fan, and I’m genuinely laughing right now
ARSENAL HAHAHAHA
🤡🤡🤡🤡
축구 원래 별로 관심 없는데 이렇게 하이라이트 영상을 보니까 너무 재미있고 흥미롭네요 선수분들 전부 너무 대단하시고 다들 멋지세요 파이팅 하세요
LOL
Why did Arsenal loan out Saliba??
It's hard not to pity Arsenal
I know how to fix arsenal defence put Gabriel and William Saliba as CBs
LMAO
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
when Arteta leaves, when Antonio Conteeeee comes Arsenal lost to man city never, I want Arsene Wenger to come MASTEREER !!!!! SHAME ARSENAL ARSENAL LEGENDARY TEAM ARSENAL HAS NOT YET LOST WITH BREAKING !!!
Its simply arsenel things
😀😀😀 20 🎗️🎖️
Imagine spending all that money just to avoid relegation, ayy who knows yall just might start to dominate the second division
What happen to this ?
Arsenal why?
개집따리 개집따ㅋㅋ
Nice try
come on the gunners
i think arsenal back line is given up and they just want out from the club
just release them pls
mampus lo arsenal wkwkwk.
브랜드포드가 아스널을 처음으로 이겨서 1부리그에서 데뷔 첫 승을 축하합니다.
hidup kadang di atas, kadang arsenal
what a long throw
Nørgaard knee slide 🥵
2-1 90+3 :))))
ini kan putaran pertama sekarang tunjukkan bagaimana Arsenal sekarang
ayo anak2 muda Arsenal tunjukan kejayaan mu sperti thn 2000 awal
Who's here after Arsenal beat Brentford
now were fourth haters
i love how most of the comments here didn't age well
spierdoliliście mi kupon na 1500 z 20
vỗ tay
I came back here after today's(18/9/2022) win over Brentford 3-0. Go Gunners Go 💪🏾