Arsenal were branded ‘weak and pathetic’ by Jamie Carragher after they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Premier League new boys Brentford.
Without stricken strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the Gunners looked woefully off the pace from the very first minute.
Fielding a starting XI of players who had never played in the Premier League before, the Bees were rewarded for their intensity and bravery when Sergi Canos sent a rasping drive past Bernd Leno at the near post to send the home supporters into a state of delirium.
Despite the best efforts of new No.10 Emile Smith-Rowe, Mikel Arteta’s side looked devoid of any real cutting edge and looked flat.
They were punished further when £50million summer signing Ben White allowed a long throw to bounce over his head inside the six yard box and the former Brighton defender’s misery was compounded when Christian Norgaard rose powerfully to blast the ball into the back of the net.
Jamie Carragher watched the game for Sky Sports and was simply scathing in his assessment of the visitors, who were pulled apart by a team which finished third in the Championship last season.
“Weak, pathetic,” he said. “Men against boys.”
“How do you describe that defending by Arsenal? It’s called the Arsenal way.”
Arsenal thought they had pulled one back when Kieran Tierney swept a cross back to the penalty box and found £72m man Nicolas Pepe unmarked, but his shot was saved well down low by David Raya.
The result means Brentford will top the Premier League table after just one game (at least until the other teams play) but it is just reward for Thomas Frank and his side.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Gunners, with games against Chelsea and champions Manchester City next on the agenda in the league.
