Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk has described how it felt to make his first Premier League start for the Bees in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. 

The Ukrainian, who has impressed in numerous substitute appearances this season, said he was nervous when he found out he’d be starting, but revealed that head coach Thomas Frank just told him to go and play his natural game. 

“Of course, it was an unbelievable feeling for me but we wanted to get some points from this game,” Yarmoliuk said. 

“Playing against Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in the division, is why I came to the club.” 

He added: “I found out I was starting yesterday before training, Thomas told me about this and I was a little bit surprised about it - and a bit nervous, too! 

“Thomas just asked me to play and be myself, just be the best version of myself. 

“[The more experienced players] supported me so much and helped me to fit into the team.” 

Yarmoliuk is another player who has come through the B-team set-up, having joined the young Bees from Dnipro-1 in July 2022.

And the 19-year-old believes his time with Neil MacFarlane’s side has helped him get his chance with the first team. 

“Of course, I was enjoying my time in the B team, but I was working hard to get this chance to be in the first team,” said Yarmoliuk. 

“[The B-team coaches] helped me and I really appreciated this support from them. They are unbelievable coaches, and they still continue to support me now.”