Arsenal: 3 things we’d like to see vs Brentford

As we edge ever closer to the first Premier League match of the season when Arsenal face off against newly-promoted Brentford, there is still much trepidation when it comes to what we have seen both on and off the pitch from the Gunners.

With only three new signings coming in – a fourth is seemingly imminent – and not a single first-team player out permanently (yet), many have questioned what the club is doing with its transfer business.

Then there are the on-field struggles. A pre-season that has largely been underwhelming, with the only victories coming against Watford and Millwall, ended with back-to-back Mind Series defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham.

So, the Gunners will face the Bees with only two new players in line to start in west London in Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga. However, both have seriously impressed during the short time they have had with the club, especially the latter who has looked sharp all summer.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Arsenal: 3 things we’d like to see from Mikel Arteta’s side vs Brentford in Friday’s opening Premier League outing of the 2021/22 season

The opening match presents a very difficult prospect for Mikel Arteta and his side. A capacity Brentford Community Stadium, a side that is desperate to start its first-ever Premier League campaign off with a win, all make for a perfect storm.

It’s also Friday the 13th. Make of that what you will.

Arsenal have been involved in every Premier League season to date and their record stands at the fourth best of all the sides to have played six or more fixtures on the opening round: in their 29 outings, the Gunners have won 16, drawn six and lost 17 for an average points tally of 1.86.

Can that be improved on? We will have to wait and see. In the mean time, here are three things we’d like to see for the hotly anticipated curtain-raiser against Thomas Frank’s men.

1. Ben White to Continue on From Tottenham Display

Whatever one may think of the £50m deal that brought the English defender to north London from Brighton, it looks like being a solid investment so far. Y’know, based off of two 45 minute outings and, well, on the proviso that there is money to be spent elsewhere. Otherwise, all good!

There was a noticeable change in the Gunners defense when he was on the pitch, particularly against Tottenham.

His pace, ball carrying ability and defensive nous were all on show. Noticeably, everything he did oozed composure, whether ushering his man into less threatening areas and galloping across the turf to cover spaces. Throughout, Ben White made the simple things look…simple.

Likely to be getting a start on Friday night – and hopefully in every Premier League fixture this season – he could be a busy boy in the opening 15 to 20 minutes at least. A strong start from the hosts backed by a raucous crowd could spell an early storm for Arsenal to weather.

White will be called upon regularly as Brentford adopt a fast and attractive brand of football, but it is what he can do for Arsenal going forward that will be one of his biggest assets. His long-range, diagonal passing is something that Arteta should utilize as the Bees often play with three at the back, so there will be space for Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to exploit.

Hopefully that Spurs display, albeit only pre-season, was a sign of what is to come.