Brentford got the better of Arsenal in the first match of the 2021-22 Premier League season at the Community Stadium in West London on Friday night.
Goals either side of half-time from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard sent Thomas Frank’s side on to a historic win.
It was promoted Brentford’s first match in England’s top flight in 75 years and they marked the occasion by taking the lead midway through the first half when a poor Arsenal clearance allowed Canos to pick up the ball in the area, cut to his right and beat Bernd Leno at his near post.
Chances were few and far between for Arsenal as the hosts looked more likely to score as the half progressed with Brentford taking their one-goal lead into the break.
Brentford keeper David Raya did well to keep his team in front soon after the re-start, going down and to his right to parry away a shot from Emile Smith Rowe.
Arsenal continued to push for an equaliser as the game passed the hour mark, with Kieran Tierney flashing wide of the near post before Garbriel Martinelli’s glancing header from a corner went missed at the other post.
A long Brentford throw in the 73rd minute somehow found its way across the goalmouth and an onrushing Norgaard beat Arsenal’s defenders to the ball and headed into an open net to double the lead for the Bees.
Arsenal next host Chelsea while Brentford are away to Crystal Palace the day before.
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