Arsenal kicked off 2025 in style, coming from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 in the Premier League. The Gunners’ victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, as they overcame a sluggish start to claim all three points. Bryan Mbeumo had put Brentford ahead in the 13th minute, but Arsenal equalized through Gabriel Jesus’s sixth goal in four games.
The turning point came in the second half when Arsenal scored twice in three minutes to take control of the game. Mikel Merino slammed home from close range after Brentford failed to clear a corner, and Gabriel Martinelli then cracked a loose ball past Mark Flekken to make it 3-1. Arsenal’s victory was a boost to their title hopes, moving them up to second in the table, six points behind leaders Liverpool.
Despite the win, Arsenal’s performance was far from perfect. Goalkeeper David Raya, playing against his former club, had a nervy start, and the Gunners struggled to create chances in the first half.
However, they improved significantly after the break, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri impressing on his first Premier League start. Nwaneri provided the cross that led to Arsenal’s third goal and showed a maturity beyond his years.
Brentford, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their performance, particularly in the second half. The Bees had built their early-season form on a strong home record, but they have now lost back-to-back games at the Community Stadium. Mbeumo’s goal was a highlight, but the defense was slow to react to Arsenal’s attacks, and Flekken was too weak in his attempted punch ahead of the second goal.
The defeat leaves Brentford 12th in the table, and manager Thomas Frank will need to find a solution quickly to stop his side sliding into mid-table obscurity. Arsenal, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their victory, which sets them up nicely for the challenges ahead.
The win was also a vindication of manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to name a changed side, with Kai Havertz left out and Nwaneri given his chance to shine. As the Premier League resumes after the New Year’s break, Arsenal will be looking to build on this momentum and keep their title hopes alive.
