Arsenal exacted revenge over Brentford of their 3-o loss last season at the Bees’ home with an identical score line here. A completely transformed Arsenal were led to victory with strikes from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira. Aaron Ramsdale too earned his third clean-sheet in seven games as Mikel Arteta’s men went top of the table in the Premier League.
While it is too early to say Arsenal are title contenders, their neat run in the Premier League which has seen them pick six wins from seven games does make their case. Brentford coach Thomas Frank however, is convinced that the North Londoners are serious title contenders this season and didn’t shy away from heaping praise on them.
Frank hails Arsenal’s display as he feels they are deserved candidates for the PL title
Arsenal were once again spearheaded by their hefty £120 million transfer investment as summer recruits Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira were on target alongside center-back Saliba. As the Gunners were without their captain and playmaker Martin Odegaard, Arteta handed Vieira his full debut in the league. The former Porto player repaid his new gaffer’s faith by scoring a banger from out of the box in the second half.
Thomas Frank’s Brentford couldn’t find a response as Arsenal’s defense of Gabriel, Saliba, White and Ramsdale contained every threat and earned a well-deserved clean-sheet. The win meant Arteta and his men are heading into the international break as the league leaders, a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City. Hailing Arsenal’s performance, and talking about their title chances Frank in his post-match presser said:
“We lost 3-0, to the number one [team] in the Premier League. I said before they are a top side. I think we performed quite well, not 10/10 but if you want to win or get something out of the team flying, you cannot concede the first from a set piece and then the second one.
“In general, unless it is something unbelievable from a set-piece, I want us to avoid every set-piece goal. There are some few bits we could have done better for the second. They didn’t create that many chances but had quality in moments.
“We always want to play again but we have the international break, we deal with it and train with the players we have. I wish the players who are going away good luck. We lost the game, I hate losing. They are top of the table so you cannot argue with that, they have done brilliant. Looking at the quality, they must be title contenders.”
While they are top of the table for now, Arsenal’s first game after the action resumes post international break will be the North London Derby against fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur at home. The fixture would well decide Arsenal’s fate at the top of the table as Spurs too are just a point behind them in third place. For now however, Arteta and his team can rejoice their run so far as the Spaniard was also crowned manager of the month for August after registering 5 wins out of 5.