August 13, 2021. A memorable day for Brentford fans and an unforgettable day for Arsenal.
The Bees had just made a name for themselves on the biggest stage, as the self-proclaimed ‘Bus Stop from Hounslow’, surprising one of the giants of English football with their Premier League debut.
This was a big result for a team managed at the time by Thomas Frank, who were among the relegation candidates that season and whose position in the top flight was not expected to last long.
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Brentford beat Arsenal 2-0 in their first Premier League match
It also adds to the immediate pressure on Mikel Arteta’s future as Arsenal manager, after overcoming several calls for his sacking last season. In the words of Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, “New season, same old story”.
Leading up to Thursday night’s latest conference, no one could have predicted what chapter would be written in the years that followed. But it’s safe to say that over the past 1,643 days, both have been going well.
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Gary Neville has given his frank assessment of Arsenal’s current situation after losing 2-0 to Brentford on the opening day of the 2021/22 season.
From ‘Arteta’s exit’ to the challenge for Premier League glory
It is hard to see Arteta at risk of being forced out of his job for any reason other than failing to win a Premier League or Champions League title at this point, but the Spaniard was never as popular as he is now.
The previous season, the Gunners finished 8th in the Premier League. Leicester City, who are currently struggling in the Championship, were ahead of them. They were two points behind Leeds, who had just been promoted.
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Mikel Arteta was under increasing pressure as Arsenal manager during the 2-0 defeat.
Arteta complained about a lot of things that night. He insisted that his team was not a threat offensively. They couldn’t respond to set pieces. That word cannot be used to describe his current team, considering they are the second-highest scorers in the top flight and boast one of the best set-piece records.
You don’t even need to look at where they stand in the Premier League table to see how much they have improved. Look at the team Arteta has put out.
Arsenal’s starting line-up in the 2-0 loss to Brentford on 14 August 2021
Of the 11 players who started this game, only two remain in the team: Ben White (first appearance) and Gabriel Martinelli. Neither of these two are guaranteed starters.
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Bukayo Saka came on as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat and received a standing ovation after missing a penalty at the European Championship.
Bukayo Saka came on as a substitute in the second half and received a huge cheer. There were also about the same number of active Arsenal players involved in trades with opponents. Callum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Folarin Balogun were all in the XI before being sent on permanent transfers or on loan within the next 12 to 24 months.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were the main frontmen but were unavailable that night. He would now look out of place in the team Arteta has built.
Arteta had a vision. Arsenal believed that and took the time to support him. All players from the most recent matchday squad that won against Sunderland, apart from White and Martinelli, signed with the club after that game.
This is an example of a manager under pressure pointing his finger and saying, “Look what happens if you give yourself time to rebuild.” Now, many years after perhaps his worst defeat, Arteta has returned to Gtech closer to the Premier League trophy than ever before.
Aging Brentford continues to defy adversity
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Brentford’s win against Arsenal was the first Premier League match with 100% fan attendance since the pandemic.
For many, Brentford’s win will be the high point of a season that has mostly been about just experiencing the Premier League rather than playing in it.
The atmosphere that night was indescribable. To this day, Frank’s full-time celebration with supporters who have not been able to watch their beloved club since the pandemic remains one of the great advertisements for the Premier League.
Brentford’s starting lineup in the 2-0 win against Arsenal on August 14, 2021
But that’s not the end of Brentford’s story. The Bees had an incredible season, helped by the free agent signing of Christian Eriksen, and finished in an incredible 13th place.
A one-season wonder? Not at all. Adding another 13 points avoided the dreaded second season syndrome and secured a top half finish.
The following season saw a slight drop to 16th place, leading many to wonder if the fairy tale was over. That was until they rose to 10th place last campaign under the stewardship of Frank and co.
Like Arsenal, the Bees have undergone a major overhaul of their squad since their first Premier League game. However, this is usually done on an as-needed basis.
Big names like the aforementioned Eriksen, Yoan Wissa, Ivan Toney and Brian Mbeumo have all left to make their way elsewhere. David Raya and Christian Norgaard, who scored on that famous night, have changed teams and now represent the Gunners.
Even the mastermind of it all had an emotional farewell as Frank packed up for the challenge at Tottenham. Looking back, it was an extremely difficult challenge. However, with him, Mbeumo, Norgaard, Wissa and Mark Frecken leaving in the same summer, many thought Brentford’s departure was set in stone.
That feeling was further amplified when Frank’s replacement was appointed internally. Keith Andrews stepped up from set-piece coach and took on the role despite having no managerial experience. He was still developing as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland when the Bees were first promoted to the top flight.
It sent a warning sign. But, as always, Brentford got it right. Andrews knows his players well and has done a great job with them. Just as Roberto De Zerbi succeeded the hugely successful Graham Potter at Brighton, Andrews took the foundations left by Frank and built on them perfectly.
The loss of big players was mitigated by incredible additions. Igor Thiago has recovered from a serious injury and is now in a position to surpass Mbeumo and Toney’s Premier League record of 20 goals. The inclusion of Michael Cayode at the back of the pitch gave the Bees a big threat from set pieces thanks to his long throws. Jordan Henderson appeared to be an anti-Brentford signing, but he has been a fantastic addition, bringing a level of midfield experience and expertise that the club has lacked since Eriksen.
Where does that leave them heading into the game against Arsenal? The answer is simple. European conflict. At the time of writing, they are 5 points behind in 5th place, which is expected to be enough to qualify for the Champions League. If they rework their magic like they did four and a half years ago, the difference will be only two points.
From ‘Bus Stop from Hounslow’ to qualified candidates for Europe’s elite competition: Brentford’s continued rise against the odds is perhaps one of the most understated love stories the Premier League has to offer.
