Brentford beat Arsenal in first top-flight game for 74 years

Brentford, newly promoted English Premier League (EPL) side, defeated Arsenal 2-0 in their opening league encounter at the Brentford Community stadium on Friday night.

In the first EPL game to have a full capacity crowd in 522 days, the Bees scored once in each half through Sergi Canas and Christian Norgaard to consign Arsenal, their more illustrious opponent to a deserved defeat.

The match was Brentford’s first in the English top flight in 74 years, and they marked their promotion with a well deserved win.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were absent for Arsenal due to illness and Mikel Arteta handed a rare starts to Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun upfront, while Ben White started in the heart of defence.

It took Brentford 10 minutes to settle into Premier League life and unsettle Arsenal with their pressing, also hitting the post through Bryan Mbeumo.

The Bees eventually made their hassles count by taking the lead on 22 minutes through Canos. The 24-year-old Spaniard’s shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner, beating Bernd Leno at his near post for a 1-0 lead.

Mbueno missed a glorious chance to double the lead for Thomas Frank’s side, hitting his shot wide from 12 yards and with only Leno to beat as Arsenal scampered into the interval with only a goal deficit.

The Gunners responded with two early chances in the second half. Emile Smith-Rowe’s shot from 12 yards was palmed away by David Raya, while the Brentford goalkeeper gathered Albert Lokonga’s 25-yard shot.

Arteta’s men continued to dominate with further opportunities wasted by Kieran Tierney and Martinelli before Brentford stung against the run of play on 73 minutes.

A long throw was poorly defended by the defence and Norgaard powered home a fine finish to seal a memorable three points for the EPL newcomers.

Brentford, the 50th club to play in the EPL in its present format, held on to mark their first ever appearance in the EPL with a deserved victory to the delight of the 17,000-strong capacity crowd.