Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford: Opening day defeat

Arsenal slumped to a miserable 2-0 defeat away at Brentford in the opening fixture of the Premier League season as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Nørgaard kicked the campaign off in demoralising fashion.

Mikel Arteta was forced into wholesale changes before kick-off with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both unwell and therefore absent. That presented a first ever Premier League start (and appearance) for Folarin Balogun, with Gabriel Martinelli starting on the left flank.

There was also an English top-flight debut for Albert Sambi Lokonga, who partnered captain for the day Granit Xhaka in midfield. Equally, Ben White made his first start in red and white alongside Pablo Mari.

In the game a decent opening from the visitors failed to create anything of real note, with Brentford going closest when Bryan Mbuemo smacked an effort off the outside of the post.

Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford as Mikel Arteta’s side slumpe to a miserable 2-0 defeat away in opening Premier League fixture

Seeing plenty of the ball, Arsenal struggled to test David Raya and when the hosts won a corner, the opener followed. Calum Chambers’ hacked clearance found its way back to the edge of the box and the same defender failed to close down Sergi Canos who fired a fine effort in at the near post.

Arsenal were improved after the beak with Smith Rowe at the heart of all things positive, fashioning the Gunners’ best chance of the game all on his own as he brilliantly spun his man before seeing a shot parried by David Raya.

Dominating the ball and starting to turn the screw, all was undone with just under 20 minutes to go as some shambolic defending saw the Bees go two goals up.

A long throw, a la Stoke, was allowed to bounce by a combination of Chambers and Mari with Leno blocked off, eventually falling to the head of Christian Nørgaard to tap home from close range. It didn’t get much better after that. At least it’s only Chelsea and Manchester City next.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 4/10 – Isn’t to blame for the opening goal as Chambers’ defending was far more culpable, yet his distribution all evening was desperately poor. Appalling, in fact. Made one decent low save, but Mbeumo was offside.

Calum Chambers (RB) – 3/10 – Hard to overlook his involvement in the goal. Having shanked his clearance out he proceeded to give Canos far too much space to get his shot off, not closing down the wing-back. It’s just bad defending. It wasn’t the end of it, either.

What about the second goal? Yeah, we’d rather not.

Ben White (CB) – 5/10 – Didn’t do an awful lot wrong but couldn’t strike a partnership with Chambers as the pair continuously mixed up their rotations. Clear signs of having not played together enough.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 3/10 – Not his day. Not at all. Was clearly being targeted by Brentford who regularly sought that channel and they had far too much joy with the Spaniard. His pace was exposed and some questionable off the ball movement saw him shoot himself in the foot. Even his passes were feeble attempts to ease the pressure on him.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Tried to provide the width for Gabriel Martinelli to come into the half-space but was regularly doubled up on that flank. Whipped in a few deliveries wicked deliveries and was one of the few players on the pitch who could leave having felt they contributed.

Bust a gut all game.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 5/10 – Positionally this was a strong performance from Sambi. In defensive situations he plugged the right gaps and was always showing for the ball in the right spaces.

In terms of attacking output he was limited to short passes laterally with Balogun marked out of the game and Pepe and Martinelli not picking up positions to cause danger. More expansive in the second half.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 5/10 – Progression is what Xhaka normally brings and if the statistics stood up for him on this occasion it will only have been for the repeated ball out wide to Tierney, which was like a broken record. There was nowhere near enough tempo and a fear of central passes.

Shifted into a left centre-back slot to help with Arsenal’s build up, still making passes into areas of little danger.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 7/10 – Our best player on the night. Was the one picking up dangerous positions in the pockets and being positive with his play, looking to find men in the box. Had the endeavour and vision to push Arsenal through the thirds yet the inexperience of the front line limited options in and around the penalty area.

The bright spark.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 5.5/10 – Fought and dueled all evening down the right flank and as he drifted more into central areas after the break he was threatening.

Still, didn’t beat his man often enough and there were a few hopeless efforts at goal. Did see one wonderful effort tipped around the post.

Folarin Balogun (ST) – 4/10 – A tough Premier League debut for Flo. It’s evident that he hasn’t had time to gel with his fellow forwards as the movements around the box weren’t coordinated and too often he was found within a couple of yards of Martinelli or Pepe, squeezed into central zones.

Not a debut to remember, although the circumstances of his appearance didn’t help.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 5/10 – Clearly rusty, Martinelli is some way off the sharpness he normally oozes as his touches were slack.

As ever, his work off the ball was exceptional and his willingness to backtrack and both cover Tierney and press in midfield were on show. Just couldn’t get into the game.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Bukayo Saka – 7/10 – Drove Arsenal forward every time he received the ball and, just like his smile, that quality is infectious.

His runs stretched a strong Brentford backline and whatever opportunities were going to come of this

Reiss Nelson – 4/10 – Really couldn’t get any foothold in the match and one of his first touches being to pass into the feet of the teammate who didn’t exist set the tone for the rest of the night.

Nuno Tavares – N/A – Came on for Chambers and played at right-back but wasn’t on long enough to earn a rating.