Fantastic Brentford destroy Arsenal in Premier League season opener

Brentford 2-0 Arsenal: Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard score as fantastic Brentford beat Arsenal in Premier League season opener

Brentford's return to the Premier League after a 74-year hiatus was marked by a spectacular, stunning victory over Arsenal as they kicked off their Premier League season in style.

On a night of great emotion at the Brentford Community Stadium, Thomas Frank's side were alive, skilled, and energetic, not only making the perfect start to the season but inflicting severe agony on the Gunners in a dismal 90 minutes for the visitors.

Brentford settled in quickly and deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes when Sergi Canos drilled low beyond keeper Bernd Leno at the near post, despite Arsenal's protests that the ball had gone out of play during the build-up.

Emile Smith Rowe was the only player who stood out for Arsenal, pushing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya into a save - who also wonderfully stopped Nicolas Pepe late on - before the home fans erupted in jubilation when they doubled their lead with 17 minutes remaining.

The Gunners were missing strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to illness.  Christian Norgaard arrived to score a header to punish Arsenal after their poor attempt to defend substitute Mads Sorensen's simple long throw, new £50 million defender Ben White was particularly responsible.

Brentford fans erupted in applause at the final whistle, but this was a result and performance that immediately focused attention on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who sorely has to improve on last season.