Arsenal have started the new season in a dramatic way. The Gunners went to visit newly promoted Brentford who were beaten 2-0 by goals from Sergi Canós and Christian Nørgaard that were split over the first and second half. Two very tough league games now await Arsenal, because in a week Chelsea will visit the Emirates Stadium and six days later the away game against Manchester City. Brentford, on the other hand, is celebrating its return to the highest level with at least a day in the lead.
Arsenal started in the derby against PhD student Brentford with purchases Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga in the starting eleven. Manager Mikel Arteta was forced to post Folarin Balogun in the point of the attack, due to the absence of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. At Brentford, Halil Dervisoglu, who returned from a loan spell at Galatasaray, sat on the reserve bench and saw his side take the lead early in the game.
Brentford takes the lead against Arsenal! ??
Sergi Canós surprises Bernd Leno with a shot into the short corner ????#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #BREARS pic.twitter.com/y9vWHliolX— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) August 13, 2021
After Bryan Mbeumo hit the post, Brentford took the lead after 22 minutes of play. Arsenal couldn’t get the ball away, so Canós took possession of the ball inside the penalty area, was given space to find the shot and hit the short corner. It was Brentford’s first top-flight goal in 27,110 days, the last being scored by Len Townsend against Sunderland in May 1947. After half an hour of play, Arsenal believed they were entitled to a penalty after an alleged foul on Balogun. Referee Michael Oliver, however, waved it off.
The first big chance of the second half was for Emile Smith-Rowe, who shot straight at goalkeeper David Raya in a promising position. After an hour of play, Arteta decided to bring Bukayo Saka inside the lines. The young midfielder missed a penalty in the European Championship final and was subsequently racialized on social media, but had a heartwarming entrance at the Brentford Community Stadium. Saka took the field to loud applause from the Brenford crowd. Shortly afterwards, Kieran Tierney was close to equalizing, but his touched shot went just over the wrong side of the post.
Christian Nørgaard sets Brentford on fire! ??
Arsenal in deep, deep trouble on the first day of match.. ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #BREARS pic.twitter.com/NQpSOYK1R9— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) August 13, 2021
On the other hand, Bernd Leno prevented the 2-0, by making a save after a shot by Mbeumo. Where Arsenal seemed to be getting stronger and had an opportunity through Granit Xhaka, Brentford doubled the margin fifteen minutes before the end. A long throw-in by substitute Mads Bech Sørensen was slightly extended by Ivan Toney at the near post and Nørgaard worked into the goal mouth. The scorer of the second goal missed an opportunity to make things even worse for Arsenal. The fact that it remained 2-0 was mainly thanks to Brentford goalkeeper Raya. He returned shortly before the end in a beautiful way and the effort of Nicolas Pépé.