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Goals in either half from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard saw Brentford claim all three points in their first-ever Premier League fixture. The Bees defeated London rivals Arsenal 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday evening to kick off the new league season on an enthralling note.
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Having initially ceded the majority of the possession to their opponents, Brentford only started to click into gear midway through the first half. After fashioning a couple of decent chances, the Bees took a well-deserved lead in the 22nd minute. Bernd Leno was caught out at his near post by Canos’ fine drilled finish into the bottom corner as the Spaniard registered Brentford’s first-ever Premier League goal.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, the Gunners began the second half with renewed intensity but failed to properly test the Brentford goal. They were duly punished for their profligacy in the 73rd minute when the hosts doubled their lead. A long throw-in from the left wing caught the Arsenal defense cold, allowing Norgaard to ghost in and head home at the back post.
Despite the best efforts of Mikel Arteta and his men, the Brentford defense proved too resolute to break down. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations as home fans and players savored the side’s first Premier League win together after a long while spent playing in empty stadiums.
On that note, here are the 5 major talking points from the game.
#1 Brentford write the first chapter of their Premier League journey in style
History was due to be made at the Brentford Community Stadium before a ball was kicked as Brentford became the 50th different team to play in the Premier League. And, even though their first game was against a much more storeyed opponent and a London rival to boot, they made sure it was a game to remember.
The last time these two sides faced off in the league was more than 74 years ago when the Gunners ran out 1-0 winners over the Bees at Griffin Park in May 1947. This time around, however, Thomas Frank’s men became just the 12th ‘new’ side to win their Premier League opener and the first outfit from the capital to do so.
#2 Arsenal hit hard by injury woes
Arsenal’s pre-match preparations took a big hit well before kick-off, with skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and strike partner Alexandre Lacazette being ruled out of the game as they took unwell.
Joining the experienced forwards on the treatment table were young striker Eddie Nketiah, midfielder Thomas Partey, and defender Gabriel Magalhaes, all of whom featured regularly for the Gunners last season.
With limited options to choose from, Arteta handed full debuts to Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Folarin Balogun in the Gunners’ new-look lineup.
The lack of an experienced striker leading the line really seemed to affect Arsenal’s gameplay as they displayed some attractive approach play but were far from clinical in front of goal.
#3 Brentford make a strong case to be the neutral’s favorite side this season
Gone are the days when sides newly promoted to the Premier League went into the season adopting an ultra-defensive approach with a single-minded focus on survival and nothing more.
Over the past few seasons, teams such as Wolves, Sheffield United, and Leeds United, to name but a few, have made a real impression on the football world by staying true to their principles and showcasing entertaining, attractive football after making the step up to the English top flight.
Much of the same was expected from Brentford, a side that has made a name for itself in the lower divisions by playing a brand of attacking, esthetically pleasing football. As it happens, the Bees did not disappoint as they were extremely good value for their win over Arsenal in their opening fixture.
With this win, Brentford also gave us a taste of what they have to offer and look primed to assume the mantle of the ‘neutral fan’s favorite team’ in this campaign. If they can keep up the style of play they displayed in this fixture, they are sure to win several more fans over the course of this season.
#4 Pressure already starting to mount on Mikel Arteta
Although it is still relatively early in his managerial career, the pressures that come with the Arsenal job cause the spotlight to shine more brightly on Mikel Arteta than they might have done at another club.
The Spaniard was at the helm of an underwhelming campaign last season for the Gunners that saw them finish 8th in the table. This disappointing performance means that Arsenal go into this season with no European football to deal with for the first time in several seasons.
While the Arsenal faithful have higher expectations for the club, many also regard the lack of continental competition as a prime opportunity to focus on a much-improved domestic showing this season.
However, with back-to-back fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City to follow, this opening-day defeat is far from the auspicious start Arteta would have been hoping for this season.
#5 Fans are back in stadiums
The start of the new Premier League season also signals the return of fans to stadiums after almost a year of football played in front of virtually empty stands.
While pre-recorded chants and cheers were a good way to liven up games that were played behind closed doors, the atmosphere generated by a full house remains unmatched. This was showcased admirably by the fans in attendance, who were in fine voice from the first whistle to the last.
The home fans definitely made their voices heard as well. Already in high spirits as they watched their side play their first-ever Premier League game, the stadium erupted with unbridled joy as the goals went in. The return of fans was not lost on the Brentford manager either, as he was seen geeing the crowd up on several occasions during the course of the game.
Another interesting thing to note over the course of the season would be to see how full stadiums would affect teams’ home advantage, a phenomenon that seemed to have taken a significant dip last season with no fans in attendance.
