SUPER Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka had an impressive debut in the Premier League on Friday night, helping Brentford to a stunning 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Onyeka, who joined Premier League newcomers Brentford from FC Midtjylland in July, was one of the outstanding players in the game, keeping his side’s midfield ticking for 80 minutes before making way for Mads Bidstrup.
Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard struck for the Bees in either half as they stung the Gunners in the season-opening fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Arsenal, without some key players including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, had to field the youngster with Nigerian heritage Folarin Balogun as the arrowhead of their attack.
The Gunners started brightly, dictating play and forcing Brentford to drop deep.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead, Canos firing a low shot from inside the box past Bernd Leno in the 22nd minute to give Brentford their first-ever goal in the Premier League era.
The goal gave Brentford, who are returning to the top division after 74 years away, some confidence, and they began to be more assertive.
The first half ended 1-0, with Arsenal having the vast majority of the possession but with the teams having one shot on target each.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rang some changes after the break as he sought to get back level, replacing Balogun with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with Reiss Nelson.
Two minutes after Arsenal’s second change, Brentford netted the second goal that sealed the famous win.
A long throw into the Arsenal box caused confusion in the Gunners’ defence and Christian Norgaard headed home in the 73rd minute.
The shock result means Arsenal have started a league campaign with a defeat against newly promoted opposition for the first time since 1976/1977 against Bristol City at Highbury, according to Opta statistics.
