Patrick Vieira 'not surprised' Arsenal lost against Brentford

Arsenal legend and Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has admitted he was not surprised that the Gunners were beaten by Brentford in the opening game of the Premier League season last weekend.

The Bees, playing in the top flight for the first time since 1947, won 2-0 thanks to goals in either half and made their opponents look second best throughout.

Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League last season, matching their lowest finish since 1995, with many seeing expensive transfer business totalling more than £125m as underwhelming.

Vieira has admitted that Brentford’s win was not a shock to him, with their work ethic overshadowing Arsenal and powering them to the victory.

“I think they went on the field with really great work ethic, with a lot of passion, and it didn’t surprise me they won against Arsenal,” the Frenchman explained to the media ahead of facing them with his Palace side this weekend.

“They will do well in the league. They are well organised. They are playing football that – I will say it suits them and it will be a tough game for us.”

Palace started the season with a tough 3-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and now Arsenal face the Blues in their first home game of the season at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners started last season with consecutive wins in the opening two gameweeks of the campaign, but now face the risk of starting with consecutive defeats if they cannot up their game against a strong Chelsea side giving a debut to record signing Romelu Lukaku.

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