Arsenal’s perfect record in pre-season came to an end on Wednesday after Mikel Arteta opted to name a heavily rotated side for a friendly against Brentford.
The Gunners had won all five of their matches in the off-season going into the game at their London Colney training ground, but suffered a 2-1 defeat by their Premier League rivals. Arteta used the fixture as an opportunity to take a look at some fringe players, as well as a few new signings.
Eddie Nketiah continued his impressive scoring record in pre-season with a strike for Arsenal, but goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ryan Trevitt gave the Bees victory. Mbeumo opened the scoring early on from a low cross before Nketiah equalised following good work from Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Trevitt settled the game from Rico Henry’s cross.
