What a difference a year makes as Arteta banishes the Brentford demons

Another opening Friday night. Another London rival away from home. Another rabid home crowd. But, wow, what a different Arsenal.

Walking the line: Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieria (left) and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) on the touchline during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London. Picture date: Friday August 5, 2022. PA Photo. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

An opening day trip to Selhurst Park for Arsenal was always going to be about juxtaposition; and they proved incomparable to the side of one year ago.

On one side of the page lies this game in south London, on the other last year’s horrorfest of a defeat at Brentford.