Arsenal were beaten 3-2 in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford F.C at the Emirates stadium on Wednesday. The Gunners will face a tough first game against current champions Manchester City on the 17th and played a warm-up match against the Championship side in preparation for the league restart.
The Gunners took the lead in the first half with English midfielder Joe Willock. But Brentford soon equalized in the second half after Arsenal defender David Luiz attempted to dribble his way into the opposing half. The Brazilian executed a clean flick over a player, but another Brentford player nipped the ball off his feet before he could react and launched a devastating counter to put the ball in the back of the Arsenal net. Lacazette netted another goal but two more goals from Brentford saw Arsenal suffer a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Championship opposition.
🎯 Halil Dervisoglu#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/WibbV80Ww9
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 11, 2020
Brentford are currently fourth in the Championship table and will be looking to aim for promotion to the top flight via the playoffs.
Forward Halil Dervişoğlu scored the second equalizer against Arsenal making it 2-2 and the Turkish international later spoke to AD about his experience playing at the Emirates. The 20-year-old was bought from Sparta Rotterdam on a €3 million fee in January and he has featured in 2 games for Brentford in the league so far.
Dervişoğlu talked about how he will never forget the moment, getting a goal at the Emirates and further spoke at his feelings after scoring the goal, “I’ve played at the Kuip, in the Arena, at Het Kasteel. I still get goosebumps every time, but that was really the most beautiful stadium in which I’ve ever played football. Even without a crowd, it was unparalleled. And then you get to score… Really, I have no words for it.”
“Apparently, I didn’t cheer, wanted to appear professional, but trust me, I went completely crazy inside. Arsenal, man! Even though it was a friendly game, it was one of the most beautiful days in my life”.
Dervişoğlu also wanted to swap shirts with one of the Arsenal players to take a souvenir back home but the coronavirus restrictions meant it could not happen, “There were twenty Arsenal players with whom I wanted to exchange the shirt. With Luiz, with Lacazette, with Ozil of course. But unfortunately: because of the corona, I had to go home in my own shirt.”
But the forward remains hopeful that he’ll get another chance to swap shirts soon. With Brentford currently in the playoffs spot, it could very well happen next season if the club does get promoted.
