On Friday night, the Premier League season started again. Brentford, with Pontus Jansson as captain, hosted Arsenal at home at Brentford Community Stadium. Arsenal came into the game without strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, who were out due to illness and were close to going on a nightmare start.
Early in the first half, Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo ran to a fine position, but instead punctured the post. Arsenal otherwise had the most ball initially, but still let in the first goal of the match. In the 22nd minute, Sergi Canos finished in the penalty area and saw the ball go in goal to 1-0, which stood out the first half.
In the second half of the match, Arsenal chased the equalizer, but without luck. Instead, Brentford remained dangerous and Mbeumo had several good opportunities in front of goal. However, it was not Mbeumo who would get the net next time in the match, instead the Dane Christian Nørgaard, who in the 73rd minute headed the ball into goal to make it 2-0. Jansson then stood in front of Bernd Leno in the penalty area and to some extent prevented the goalkeeper from acting.
Arsenal then failed to catch up and got off to a heavy start to this year’s season. Arsenal finished last year in eighth place in the Premier League and then coach Mikel Arteta was heavily employed. This evening’s results will thus not reduce the pressure on the Spaniard.
Brentford, who is a newcomer to the Premier League, in turn can now celebrate a dream start in the league.
– It is fantastic. I have dreamed of scoring the first goal in this arena and these people deserve it. We deserve it. It’s amazing with three points. Now we need to rest a bit and then we drive next week, Canos tells Sky Sports.
He continues:
– It’s an incredible moment. It’s great for me and my family who have come all the way from Spain. I also have family in Spain who have watched the match. It is a step forward for the club.
Brentford coach Thomas Frank:
– The supporters were fantastic, what an atmosphere. I’m a little speechless, he tells Sky Sports.
Frank also already knows how to celebrate the victory.
– Tonight I will enjoy this and have a glass of red, he says to the BBC.
Startelvor:
Brentford: Raya – Jansson, Ajer, Pinnock – Henry, Janelt, Nørgaard, Onyeka, Canos – Mbeumo, Toney.
Arsenal: Leno – Chambers, White, Mari, Tierney – Lokonga, Xhaka – Pepe, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli – Balogun.
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