(Football news) Some things in life are certain: taxes, death and Arsenal F.C disappointing their fans. This time, it was newly promoted Brentford who had not hosted a top division match since 1947 welcoming 16,479 fans to their new stadium, and boy did they not disappoint!
Thomas Frank’s team rose to the occasion magnificently, and Sergi Canos’ shot in the 22nd minute past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno gave the hosts a much needed boost to settle their nerves before Brentford doubled their advantage after 17 minutes to register a historic 2-0 victory against a team that was once considered Premier League royalty.
It might be too early to consider Arsenal as a club in crisis, especially considering players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missing out on the opening day fixture due to illness while Thomas Partey is still recovering from an ankle injury. However, questions would undoubtedly be raised about Mikel Arteta’s team selection, having picked 20-year-old Folarin Balogun to lead the Arsenal team under the circumstances.
What would be concerning everyone involved with Arsenal was how little they seem to have improved, with the same defensive fragility and toothlessness in attack, especially considering that their £50 million centre-back, Ben White, and £17m midfielder, Albert Sambi Lokonga were on the pitch. Their new signing Nuno Tavares also made a late appearance but was ineffective as Arsenal finished the match with 22 shots, with only four on target. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney are still the most promising indications of Arsenal making their season count.
The clock is ticking as the transfer window is nearing its end, but Mikel Arteta is adamant that Arsenal will not make any panic buys this summer. The club are in dire need of a backup goalkeeper, creative midfielder and a striker and with less than three weeks remaining, time will tell if the Gunners achieve their transfer targets to salvage their season.
Also read: Fixtures to look forward to from Matchday 1 of the Premier league 2021-22
