Brentford marked their Premier League debut with a deserved win over Arsenal at a jubilant Brentford Community Stadium.
The promoted Bees scored the opening goal of the season when Sergi Canos smashed in a low 22nd-minute strike.
Christian Norgaard headed in Brentford’s second as Arsenal made a mess of dealing with a long throw-in.
The Dane was then inches away from making it 3-0 after Gunners keeper Bernd Leno flapped at a corner.
Arsenal, without strike pair Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through illness, paid the price for a hopeless attempt to defend substitute Mads Sorensen’s routine long throw. New £50m defender Ben White was particularly culpable as Christian Norgaard arrived to head home.
Brentford’s supporters, understandably, celebrated wildly at the final whistle, but this was a result and performance that instantly turns the spotlight on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as he desperately needs an improvement on last season.
Brentford make powerful statement
Brentford could not have made a better start to life in the Premier League, showing the pedigree that has made them such an entertaining side on their journey to this stage.
On a thunderous night at the Brentford Community Stadium, the arena was alive with noise and excitement well before kick-off – and what happened when the action started only raised those levels.
Tough days will inevitably lie ahead for the top-flight newcomers, but this was a night when the Bees showed what they were all about under charismatic manager Frank.
Once they realised Arsenal had little offer after the early exchanges, Brentford took charge and Bryan Mbeumo had already struck the post before Canos opened the scoring.
