Arsenal started their season in all-too-familiar fashion, falling 2-0 to newly-promoted Brentford on Friday night's Premier League curtain-raiser.
Mikel Arteta's side were outclassed for the majority of the contest, with Thomas Franck's side pressing from the first minute with bundles of energy and intensity - something that the Gunners found it extremely difficult to cope with.
Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard scored either side of half-time to give the Bees their first top-flight victory in over 70 years.
It was a day to forget for Arsenal's £50million debutant Ben White, who struggled to deal with Englishman Ivan Toney's aerial ability, losing out on several aerial duels, whilst also coming up second best in a number of 50/50 clashes.
However, Hale End graduate Emile Smith Rowe was a shining light for the north Londoners, gliding past players in transition whilst also coming close to netting a goal late in the second half.
The 21-year-old shouldered the majority of the creative burden in central areas, always looking to slide in talented youngsters Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun, who both looked off the pace from minute one.
Similarly, Scottish stalwart Kieran Tierney impressed throughout the contest, registering an impressive six chances created, the most of any player during the opening weekend despite operating as a left-back on Friday night.
The 24-year-old consistently beat his man down the left flank and whipped in a number of accurate crosses, although, he was left down by his teammates finishing in front of goal.
Gunners' debutant Albert Sambi Lokonga was the only other player that didn't look out of his depth, with the 21-year-old often the go-to player in the build-up phase, showcasing his impressive line-breaking passing as well as his press resistance dribbling skills.
So Smith Rowe takes the man of the match, but be sure to have your say in the comments on the disappointing performers and the standouts, and be sure to sign up to the Arsenal newsletter to take part in further surveys, receive exclusive content and all the transfer news straight to your in box, all for free.
Here are the full results of the survey:
Emile Smith Rowe 60.2%
Kieran Tierney 14.8%
Albert Sambi Lokonga 13%
Granit Xhaka 1.4%
Others 10.6%
