ARSENAL go into the international break as top of the Premier League table after beating Brentford 3-0.
Goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira made easy work of the Bees.
And Ethan Nwaneri, 15, smashed the Premier League record for the youngest top-flight appearance as he came off the bench.
Nwaneri, who was born in March 2007, breaks the previous record held by Harvey Elliott who was 16yrs and 30days when he came on for Fulham.
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- Kostas Lianos
Take the Myk
Arsenal have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donestk star Mykhaylo Mudryk as Newcastle have emerged as rival bidders.
The Gunners have been interested in Mudryk but pulled out of a deal in the summer due to the high fee Shakhtar were demanding.
Despite reports also suggesting the winger had agreed personal terms with Arsenal – the transfer was not completed.
And now the Magpies want to hijack a deal, according to Football Insider.
Eddie Howe has supposedly given the green light to the signing that could be worth £26million.
The Toon want to bolster their attacking options to support new big money signing Alexander Isak
- Kostas Lianos
Gabriel trolls Toney
Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes has added salt to Brentford ace Ivan Toney's wounds after brutally trolling him following an emphatic win at the Gtech Community Stadium..
The Bees barely heard a peep out of Toney as he was outshone by the Gunners' stars William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
And Gabriel rubbed in the defeat even more when he tweeted after the game: "Nice kick about with the boys."
The tweet was a nod to the striker's cheeky “nice kick about with the boys” tweet after Brentford inflicted a humbling 2-0 defeat over Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021/2022 season
- Kostas Lianos
Guendouzi on target
Marseille ace Matteo Guendouzi cancelled out his own goal with a superb header against Rennes on Sunday.
Guendouzi put the ball into his own net just 25 minutes into the Ligue 1 clash.
The midfielder attempted to intercept a low driven cross from Hamari Traore, but the ball instead slipped past Pau Lopez and into the goal.
Igor Tudor's men continued to push for an equaliser following the error and just seven minutes after half-time the France international went from zero to hero as he headed the ball past a helpless Steve Mandanda in goal.
The ex-Arsenal ace rose above his marker Benjamin Bourigeaud to direct the ball into the top left corner, leaving Rennes stunned
- Kostas Lianos
Ethan Nwaneri record
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest ever player to compete in the Premier League at the age of 15.
The teenager came on for the Gunners against Brentford in the 90th minute as he replaced Fabio Vieira at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The schoolboy was promoted to first team training this week having made his Under-21 debut at the beginning of September.
And the attacking midfielder – who's yet to sit his GCSEs – earned a spot in Mikel Arteta's squad with Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe unavailable due to injury.
Nwaneri, who was born in March 2007, becomes the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League.
The record was previously held by Liverpool ace Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 30 days old when he came on for Fulham.
Nwaneri, on the other hand, is only 15 years and 181 days old
- Kostas Lianos
Mikel Arteta speaks
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are now a "very different team" which is nothing like what they were last season when they lost at Brentford.
Arteta told Sky Sports: "The natural thing to do is to describe what happened here last year as a really bad day. The way I describe it is as a character-building day. A team has to evolve and go through those moments together.
"A team can give up, question everybody and blame other people, or it can look in the mirror, take the lesson and move forward. Today, obviously, you have seen a very different team.
"This is what we wanted. We talked before the game that we had the opportunity to back to the top. Yesterday, they took it away from us, but we wanted it back. We had to show that desire from the first minute and we have done it"
- Sam Dymond
Next five up for Arsenal
Arsenal will resume after the international break as Premier League leaders, but face a tough pair of fixtures to begin October.
The Gunners host local rivals Tottenham on the opening day of the month, and the welcome Liverpool the following weekend.
The schedule looks a little easier after that with trips to Leeds and Southampton before a home match with newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.
- Sam Dymond
Saliba open to new deal
Arsenal star William Saliba has indicated he would be open to the idea of signing a new contract with the club during an interview with Sky Sports.
The young French defender has been a standout performer this season – despite fears in the summer that he would never play for the club.
The 21-year-old joined the Gunners in 2019, but spent the next three seasons out on loan in his native France.
And such was his performances at Marseille last term, the Ligue 1 club were desperate to keep him.
However, Mikel Arteta wanted him back at the Emirates, and he has subsequently started every Premier League game this term.
The defender told Vicky Gomersall, "I'm at home here. I like London, I like the club, I like everything."
Saliba's current deal at the Emirates runs until 2024.
- Sam Dymond
Shearer unsure of Arsenal credentials
Premier League legend Alan Shearer feels Arsenal are still a little short of challenging for the title despite their blistering start to the campaign.
The Gunners have won six of the opening seven games, and go into the international break a point clear at the top.
However, Shearer still believes that the club's main priority should be finishing back in the top four.
"It's not time to talk about them as title contenders yet, but people now know that this is a different Arsenal to the team we saw just 13 months ago," the former England captain wrote in his column for BBC Sport.
"In just over a year, Arteta has not just built a different team, he has transformed the mood of the whole club.
"I still think Arsenal's main target is a return to the top four for the first time since 2016, and they have not done too much wrong so far.
"Their next two league games at the start of October, at home to Spurs and Liverpool, will tell us more about whether they can sustain this strong start but, right now, their fans will be enjoying what they are seeing."
- Sam Dymond
Vieira's first start just Fab
There would have been some concern among Arsenal fans when it was revealed that Martin Odegaard would be missing the match at Brentford with a calf injury.
But Gooners had no reason to fear as Fabio Vieira impressed on his first start for the club.
And the £35m arrival from Porto capped an impressive display with a stunning goal to seal the points.
The midfielder received Bukayo Saka's pass in the 49th minute and slammed home off the post from 25 yards out to cap a 3-0 win.
In doing so, Vieira became the 19th Arsenal player to score on his first start in the Premier League.
However, the 22-year-old is the only one to do so with a strike from outside the box.
- Sam Dymond
Saka sets up to second
It may be seen as a slow start to the season for Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka – but the youngster is still making moves in the record books.
The England star only has one goal so far this term, but added another two assists to his name yesterday.
The 21-year-old curled in the cross for William Saliba to head the opener, and then set up Fabio Vieira's sensational strike in the second half.
It means that Saka now has 37 Premier League goal involvements for the Gunners, having scored 18 himself and laid on another 19 for teammates.
And in creating at the double, the forward overtakes Nicolas Anelka (35) in the total number of goals and assists registered for the club before turning 22.
Indeed, only Cesc Fabregas (63) had more for Arsenal at the age of 21 or younger.
- Sam Dymond
Capital gains for rejuvenated Gunners
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League yesterday with a 3-0 win at Brentford – and, in doing so, registered a third victory in a London derby this season.
The Gunners added their cruise past the Bees to the opening night success against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and a hard-fought home prevail versus Fulham.
It is the first time the Emirates outfit have won three such games in a row since March 2015.
Back then, Arsene Wenger's team saw off Palace, QPR and West Ham.
Arsenal's next match is at home to local rivals Tottenham after the international break.
- Sam Dymond
Good morning, Arsenal fans
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri – who wasn’t even born when the Emirates Stadium was opened – has become the youngest player in Premier League history after coming off the bench in the final moments of this match.
The 15-year-old was promoted to first team training this week having made his U21’s debut at the beginning of September.
And the attacking midfielder has already earned a spot in Mikel Arteta’s squad with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe unavailable due to injury.
Nwaneri, who was born in March 2007, breaks the previous record held by Harvey Elliott who was 16yrs and 30days when he came on for Fulham.
Nwaneri is just 15yrs and 180days.
Mikel Arteta feels Aaron Ramsdale should be England’s No1 ahead of Jordan Pickford.
The Arsenal keeper kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday lunchtime.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “I think Aaron is really confident anyway! It would be a good reward for him for what he has done.
“I hope he is [picked for the World Cup].
“I think it would be great for us and Aaron. He showed in the last year what he is capable of doing. We will be watching and waiting for that decision.”
Gabriel Magalhaes has added salt to Ivan Toney’s wound’s after brutally trolling him following Arsenal’s emphatic win over Brentford.
Toney had been left speechless by his first ever England call up – and he still hadn’t found his voice today.
Brentford barely heard a peep out of their striker as he was outshone by Arsenal superstars William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
And Gabriel rubbed in the defeat even more when he Tweeted after the game: “Nice kick about with the boys.”
Smug Arsenal fans joined in too, as they chanted “Ivan Toney, a stroll in the park.”
The chant was a nod to the ex-Peterborough man’s cheeky “nice kick about with the boys” Tweet after Brentford inflicted a humbling 2-0 defeat over Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021/22 season.
- Jon Boon
Xhaka's yellow
Fans have all been left saying the same thing after Granit Xhaka was given a yellow card against Brentford.
Xhaka, 29, was booked after challenging Brentford goalkeeper David Raya as he attempted to kick the ball forward to launch a counter-attack.
Referee David Coote deemed Xhaka to have been overzealous and consequently booked him.
The Gunners were already 3-0 up at this stage, and many questioned why Xhaka felt he had to make the challenge and play the rest of the game on a tightrope.
One user said: "Xhaka is playing out of his skin. And also gets his typical yellow."
A second added: "Death, taxes, Xhaka seeing a yellow," while a third said: "Xhaka getting a yellow card is inevitable."
- Jon Boon
Saka record
After helping William Saliba and Fabio Vieira score against Brentford, Bukayo Saka has now been directly involved in 36 Premier League goals – he second highest for an Arsenal player U21 in history.
The England winger now has 18 goals and 18 assists for the North London club.
Today he overtook Nicolas Anelka in second spot who had 35.
But he's got some way to go if he wants to beat the record.
Cesc Fabregas holds that – contributing 63 times.
He needs another 27 before he turns 22 next September 5 to be the leader.
- Jon Boon
Youngest Prem players off all time
Ethan Nwaneri – 15 years, 181 days
Harvey Elliott – 16 years, 38 days
Matthew Briggs – 16 years, 68 days
Izzy Brown – 16 years, 117 days
Aaron Lennon – 16 years, 129 days
- Jon Boon
Xhaka 'feels the love'
After his infamous fallout with Arsenal fans who booed him off the pitch against Crystal Palace in 2000, manager Mikel Arteta believes the Swiss star has fell back in love with the Gunners faithful.
Xhaka was handed the captain's armband against Brentford after Martin Odegaard was ruled out and delivered a masterful performance.
After the game, Arteta told Arsenal.com: "I think he feels now that love and respect both ways.
"You see our supporters, the way they were singing to him as well, emotionally that makes him try to give even more.
"I’m really pleased for him because in my opinion he really deserves it."
- Jon Boon
Celebrity Gooner
Arsenal have always boasted celebrity fans – but now they've got a true Hollywood star in their away end.
Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis was spotted cheering on the Gunners from the stands as they defeated Brentford.
We wonder what Lasso would make of Arteta's tactics?
- Jon Boon
Saliba speaking glowingly about Arteta
William Saliba has raved about working under Mikel Arteta.
The French defender was on the scoresheet again as Arsenal eased passed Brentford 3-0.
Last week, he gave an interview to Canal Plus about how life under Arteta has gone so far this season.
“We spoke a bit at the beginning of the season. He was happy with what I did whilst on loan," he said.
"He’s a very good coach, who really knows what he’s doing. He is clear in everything that he says.
"He has helped me integrate quickly into this system of play. Every day he gives advice to be better on the pitch.”
- Jon Boon
Guendouzi's mad game for Marseille
Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi cancelled out his own goal with a superb header against Rennes on Sunday.
The Frenchman, 23, put the ball into his own net just 25 minutes into the Ligue 1 clash.
Ex-Arsenal star Guendouzi attempted to intercept a low driven cross from Hamari Traore, but the ball instead slipped past Pau Lopez and into the goal.
Igor Tudor's side continued to push for an equaliser following the error and just seven minutes after half time Guendouzi went from zero to hero as he headed the ball past a helpless Steve Mandanda in goal.
- Jon Boon
Arteta's praise for Vieira
Arsenal new boy Fabio Vieira scored the pick of the bunch as the Gunners defeated Brentford on Sunday.
And after the game, his manager Mikel Arteta revealed how impressed he is with how the Portuguese ace has settled in at the club.
"He's having a good progression because he missed pre-season due to injury," added Arteta.
"But we know his talent and why we signed him and what he can bring to the team. He showed his character and his quality.
"He is a creative player, he needs to play with his instinct and we need to create as many scenarios as possible for him. The goal here and the way he went about the ugly part of the game, I was really impressed with."
- Dylan Terry
Premier League results today
Brentford 0-3 Arsenal
Everton 1-0 West Ham
Manchester United P-P Leeds
Chelsea P-P Liverpool
- Dylan Terry
Everton 1-0 West Ham
Neal Maupay's second half goal has given Everton their first Premier League win of the season.
West Ham remain in the bottom three as we head into the international break.
That's all the top flight action in England today. Manchester United vs Leeds and Chelsea vs Liverpool have both been postponed.
Earlier today, Arsenal beat Brentford 3-0 to return to the top of the table.
- Dylan Terry
Gabriel mocks Toney after win over Brentford
Gabriel Magalhaes has added salt to Ivan Toney's wound's after brutally trolling him following Arsenal's emphatic win over Brentford.
Toney had been left speechless by his first ever England call up – and he still hadn’t found his voice today.
Brentford barely heard a peep out of their striker as he was outshone by Arsenal superstars William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
And Gabriel rubbed in the defeat even more when he Tweeted after the game: "Nice kick about with the boys."
Smug Arsenal fans joined in too, as they chanted “Ivan Toney, a stroll in the park.”
The chant was a nod to the ex-Peterborough man’s cheeky “nice kick about with the boys” Tweet after Brentford inflicted a humbling 2-0 defeat over Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021/22 season.
- Dylan Terry
Xhaka the key to Arsenal success
SunSport's Dan Cutts has picked out Granit Xhaka as an instrumental part of Arsenal's squad at the beginning of this season.
Check out his piece on the former Gunners skipper after he produced another superb display against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win earlier today.
- Dylan Terry
Ramsdale should be England's No1 – Arteta
Mikel Arteta feels Aaron Ramsdale should be England's No1 ahead of Jordan Pickford.
The Arsenal keeper kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday lunchtime.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: "I think Aaron is really confident anyway! It would be a good reward for him for what he has done.
"I hope he is [picked for the World Cup].
"I think it would be great for us and Aaron. He showed in the last year what he is capable of doing. We will be watching and waiting for that decision."
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