The interactions are in:

Mark Heywood opens up with some sub-editing: “Re 19.12 Thomas Frank on Ivan Toney,”I am convinced he is the best penalty talker on the world.” Certainly it’s an innovative strategy, but is it likely to be a successful one?”

Worth mentioning that as well as Balogun getting his Premier League debut, there’s also a first Arsenal start for £50m Ben White, as he must be known for the first year of his time at the club. And for Albert Sambi Lokonga, the midfielder signed from Anderlecht for rather less than £50m. The Belgian, 21, cost around £18m.

Mikel Arteta has also been talking to Sky Sports.

[On Aubameyang/Lacazette] They feel unwell, that’s all I can say. In the world we are living in, the only permanent thing are changes. We have a really young team, full of excitement. [Balogun] He’s been really good, and the chance come for different, reasons. He’s got a big one. [On Xhaka the captain] He totally deserves it. He has my respect, the club’s respect, his team’s respect. We know this season is a long marathon, let’s start well.

Thomas Frank has been speaking to Sky Sports. Here’s a few extracts.

I am very proud to be part of a brilliant group of players. I will look around for the first ten seconds and then it’s game on. You can see our transfer policy. We do not look for players who played in the Premier League. If they are skilful enough, they will play. I prefer to have a system and structure to work on. We will try to attack, it’s also more that we edge it defensively. I am very confident Ivan Toney will score goals. I am convinced he is the best penalty talker on the world. He is a fantastic finisher. Two things; win the next match and finish as high as possible

There’s a Brentford debut for Kristoffer Ajer, formerly of Celtic, and he will form part of a back three. Frank Onyeka also starts in midfield. And, as expected, Ivan Toney is fit to lead the line.

Confirmed, no Lacazette and Aubameyang, meaning Arsenal’s strike force features the callow pair of Folarin Balogun, the American, and Gabriel Martinelli, who won a gold medal at the Olympics for Brazil just last weekend.

Brentford: Raya, Henry, Pinnock, Jansson, Ajer, Norgaard, Canos, Janelt, Onyeka, Mbeumo, Toney. Subs: Gunnarrson, Goode, Forss, Wissa, Ghoddos, Dervisoglu, Bidstrup, Sorensen, Rasmussen

Arsenal: Leno, Tierney, White, Chambers, Mari, Xhaka, Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli, Balogun. Subs: Hein, Bellerin, Saka, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Soares, Tavares, Nelson, Elneny

It’s been a day of Arsenal transfer news.

Related: ‘Buzzing to be here’: Joe Willock seals £22m Newcastle move from Arsenal

Related: Arsenal step up push to bring back Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid

It’s been 74 years since Brentford were in the top division. At least one fan remembers it.

Related: History is against Brentford as they return to top flight after 74-year wait

Related: ‘It’s surreal’: meet a Brentford fan who saw them in the top flight 74 years ago

Nick Ames heard from Thomas Frank.

Related: ‘We are a bumble bee’: Frank hopes Brentford bring breath of fresh air | Nick Ames

Here’s an answer to a leading question when it comes to Brentford.

Related: Premier League: will the three promoted clubs stay up?

Early team news

Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen are out for Brentford while last season’s top scorer, Ivan Toney, will start after a injury

It’s back. It’s only back. Here’s to nine months of intriguing tactical battles, of must-win fixtures, of VAR controversies that lead usually even-tempered grown men to ask for their game back, references to this being the ruddy, bloody best league in the whole ruddy, bloody world and pub bores referring to their fantasy team when a goal has gone in.

Yes, it’s the Premier League, and it’s again chosen to have its curtain raised on a Friday night, to the delight of those asked to actually work on a Friday night.

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