Nightmare start for Arsenal as Brentford expose familiar failings for Mikel Arteta

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This match with Brentford had all the makings of being a perfect storm for Arsenal and, in the end, the forecast was correct.

First, there was the small matter of Arsenal’s planned rebuild not even having the foundations laid down before this trip to the Brentford Community Stadium.

Then you have to throw in the fact their two main forwards - Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - were ruled out on the eve of the game due to illness.

Add in the fact this was Brentford’s first top-flight game in 74 years, and their first full house at their new ground, and the recipe for disaster was complete.

Even with all that, though, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta can’t have many excuses on what was miserable start to the new season for them.

At least the introduction to the Amazon Prime documentary should start with a bang.

Arsenal, in contrast, did not start with a bang here and instead their first half had all the hallmarks of teams we’ve seen over the past few years.

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At the back they looked shaky, with Bernd Leno and Pablo Mari two of the biggest culprits. Calum Chambers wasn’t much better in all honesty, and nor was £50m debutant Ben White.

Brentford went in 1-0 at the break, as Sergi Canos capitalised on a poor clearance from Chambers to score in the 22nd minute, but in truth they should’ve been further ahead.

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Arsenal improved after the interval, largely thanks to Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney trying to bring some life to their play. They, along with substitute Bukayo Saka and debutant Albert Sambi Lokonga, were the only ones to come out of this with any pride.

The night was topped off, though, when Brentford got their second 17 minutes before the end. Once again, it was more poor defending as a long throw in the box was allowed to bounce and Christian Norgaard headed in at the back post.

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A dream start to the season for Brentford; a nightmare one for Arsenal.

Balogun has tough night on debut

As learning experiences go, this was a big one for Folarin Balgoun. There is no denying the youngster’s talent, but he was given a baptism of fire here.

Thrown in because of the absence of Aubameyang and Lacazette he had a tough Premier League debut.

Balogun was up against three, huge Brentford centre-backs and he got zero change out of them. Instead he was left to feed off scraps on a night where the whole Arsenal team struggled. A tough lesson for Balogun, but one he will remember and hopefully learn from.

Saka applause shows the good in football fans

There were not many memorable moments for Arsenal fans to take from this game, but the reception for Saka was one.

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The forward, who was racially abused online after missing a penalty in the final of Euro 2020, has felt support from the whole of football.

He felt it last week at Tottenham when he was applauded as he came off the bench, and he felt it here at Brentford too.

The Bees fans cheered him off the bench as he came on in the second half in what was a lovely moment for the youngster on an otherwise dismal night.

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