Arsenal came from behind to secure a Premier League win over Brentford on New Year's Day 2025, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points – despite playing a game more.
Brian Mbeumo's form this season has led to… Transfer links with the likes of ArsenalHis 11th Premier League goal of the season put the host Bees ahead within 13 minutes.
Arsenal had never threatened before and still found their shooting radar skewed throughout a difficult first half-hour, until Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flecken blocked a Thomas Partey shot and Gabriel Jesus grabbed the rebound to continue his rich volley. Registration form.
Just a moment earlier, David Raya had avoided disaster at the other end when he blocked a Kane-Lewis-Potter shot. However, within ten minutes of the start of the second half, Arsenal took control of the game and did not relinquish it.
Corner for Arsenal – what else? – He caused enough chaos in the Brentford penalty area shortly after half-time, as the ball fell beautifully to Mikel Merino. It wasn't long before Gabriel Martinelli fired home from around 12 yards out after good play from winger Ethan Nwaneri.
Mikel Arteta's side next play again before Liverpool do when they travel to the south coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night. There will be a chance to halve the gap, with points on the board arguably more important than games in hand. Liverpool is scheduled to host struggling Manchester United at Anfield less than 24 hours later.
Meanwhile, Brentford remain in 12th place, reassuringly clear of the relegation zone and still one win away from a place in the top half of the table ahead of this weekend's match away to Southampton.
|
player |
classification |
|---|---|
|
Goalkeeper: Mark Flecken |
6.3/10 |
|
RB: Mads Rörslev |
5.7/10 |
|
CB: Nathan Collins |
6.2/10 |
|
Playmaker: Sepp van den Berg |
6.4/10 |
|
LB: Ken Lewis Potter |
5.9/10 |
|
CM: Vitaly Janelet |
6.3/10 |
|
Midfielder: Christian Norgaard (c) |
6.3/10 |
|
CM: Igor Yarmolyuk |
6.8/10 |
|
AM: Mikkel Damsgaard |
7.2/10 |
|
ST: Brian Mbeumo |
7.5/10 |
|
ST: Yuani Wesa |
6.0/10 |
|
Substitute: Kim Ji-soo (75 minutes for Van den Berg). |
5.9/10 |
|
Sub: Matthias Jensen (75' for Norgaard) |
6.2/10 |
|
Sub: Paris Maghoma (75' for Damsgaard) |
6.0/10 |
|
Substitute: Kevin Shady (75' for Wesa) |
5.9/10 |
Subs not used: Hakon Valdimarsson (goalkeeper), Jayden Meguma, Benjamin Arthur, Yunus Emre Konak, Tony Eogan.
|
player |
classification |
|---|---|
|
Goalkeeper: David Raya |
6.9/10 |
|
RB: Goren Timber |
7.5/10 |
|
Midfielder: William Saliba |
7.6/10 |
|
CB: Gabrielle |
7.3/10 |
|
LB: Riccardo Calafiore |
7.2/10 |
|
Midfielder: Martin Odegaard (c) |
7.1/10 |
|
CM: Thomas Partey |
7.9/10 |
|
CM: Mikel Merino |
8.1/10 |
|
RW: Ethan Nwaneri |
7.3/10 |
|
Saint: Gabriel Jesus |
8.2/10 |
|
Left wing: Gabriel Martinelli |
8.6/10 |
|
Sub: Leandro Trossard (78' for Nuaneri) |
6.0/10 |
|
Sub: Declan Rice (78' for Merino) |
5.8/10 |
|
Sub: Myles Lewis Skelly (78' for Calafiore) |
6.3/10 |
|
Substitute: Jorginho (88' for Odegaard) |
nothing |
|
Substitute: Oleksandr Zinchenko (90+1 for Jesus) |
nothing |
Subs not used: Neto (goalkeeper), Jacob Kuyor, Kieran Tierney, Ismail Kabia.