In a friendly game played behind closed doors, Brentford defeated Arsenal 2-1. Both managers gave squad players playing time.
A busy first half saw all the goals at the Gunners’ London Colney training facility, with Bryan Mbeumo giving the Bees the early advantage before Eddie Nketiah drew them even.
At the stroke of halftime, Ryan Trevitt of the Brentford B squad gave Thomas Frank’s club the lead once more, and the Gunners were unable to score a tying goal.
Many of Mikel Arteta’s first-team talents, including newly acquired Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, chose not to play, and many of Brentford’s top players, including captain Pontus Jansson and star striker Ivan Toney, also chose not to take the field.
On Saturday, the final preseason friendlies for both London clubs are played: Brentford travels to west London to face Copa del Rey champion Real Betis, while Arsenal hosts Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.