Premier League football is back with a bang, Brentford Bees stung Arsenal in 2021-22 Premier League season opener with a 2-0 win at home.
Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard struck in either half as Brentford’s debut Premier League season got off to a dream start with a 2-0 home win against Arsenal.
Arteta handed debuts to summer signings White and Lokonga, while there was also a first Premier League start for Balogun. There were notable absentees from the Arsenal squad – Lacazette and Aubameyang both ruled out through illness – though Saka was named among the substitutes, along with Tavares. Granit Xhaka captained the side.
Bryan Mbeumo went close to firing the promoted Bees into a 12th-minute lead, but his shot from Ivan Toney’s pass clipped the right post.
Brentford went 1-0 up on 22 minutes when Arsenal failed to clear their lines and Ethan Pinnock nodded on for Canos, who rifled past Bernd Leno at his near post.
Mbeumo could have doubled the hosts’ lead just before half-time but he pulled his shot wide, while Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka went close for Arsenal after the break.
Norgaard made the points safe 17 minutes from time, powering through a packed defence to head in Mads Bech’s long throw, before David Raya preserved their clean sheet with a fine save from Nicolas Pepe.
Match-Stats :
| Brentford | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| 34.8 | Possession % | 65.2 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 4 |
| 8 | Shots | 22 |
| 466 | Touches | 768 |
| 300 | Passes | 564 |
| 19 | Tackles | 9 |
| 19 | Clearances | 14 |
| 2 | Corners | 5 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 12 | Fouls conceded | 8 |
What Next ?
- Brentford will visit Crystal Palace on 21 August.
- Arsenal will host Champions League and Super Cup winners Chelsea on August 22 at Emirates Stadium.
