Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Merino, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Jesus
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Rice, Kabia, Trossard
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Arsenal kicked off 2025 with a satisfying 3-1 victory over Brentford, showing great character to bounce back from Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener.
Gabriel Jesus continued his fine form by scoring the equaliser, while quick-fire goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli early in the second half sealed the win, reducing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to six points.
On a wet and windy evening in west London, Arsenal endured a rollercoaster first half at the Gtech Community Stadium – starting strongly, losing their way after conceding against the run of play, and recovering to go into the break level.
Mikel Arteta made four changes to the side that started against Ipswich. Kai Havertz missed out due to illness, while Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Leandro Trossard dropped to the bench. In their place came Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, Riccardo Calafiori, and Ethan Nwaneri, the latter making his first Premier League start on the right flank.
The tone of the game was set early on: Arsenal dominated possession, but Brentford looked dangerous when they won the ball back. David Raya claimed a threatening cross after Yoane Wissa freed Keane Lewis-Potter, while at the other end, Nwaneri impressed with a darting run that won a corner. The youngster’s deep delivery created an overload at the back post, but no one was on hand to convert when the ball was nodded back across goal.
The Gunners were in control but were punished in the 13th minute when Martin Odegaard carelessly gave away possession in midfield. Mikkel Damsgaard seized the loose ball and fed Bryan Mbeumo, who shifted onto his left foot. With Calafiori backpedalling, the Cameroonian struck early, beating Raya at his near post. (GOAL 1-0)
The goal spurred Brentford on and rattled Arsenal, who resorted to rash challenges in their haste to regain control. Timber picked up a yellow card for a late tackle – ruling him out of Saturday’s trip to Brighton – and Raya had to scramble back to prevent a tame Lewis-Potter shot from sneaking over the line.
A scrappy spell ended with Arsenal’s equaliser. After a chaotic scramble at the edge of the Brentford box, Partey unleashed a shot that Mark Flekken could only parry. Gabriel Jesus reacted quickest to nod in the rebound. (GOAL 1-1)
Partey was at the heart of Arsenal’s efforts, winning possession high up the pitch and keeping the pressure on Brentford. However, aside from a couple of dangerous crosses, clear-cut chances to test Flekken were hard to come by as the half-ended all square.
Arsenal wasted no time seizing control at the start of the second half, once again showcasing their set-piece expertise. Nwaneri’s corner caused chaos in the Brentford box, forcing Flekken into a flailing punch. Jesus’ rebound effort was blocked, but Mikel Merino reacted quickly to fire into the empty net. (GOAL 2-1)
The Gunners kept the pressure on, and it paid off three minutes later. Another dangerous delivery from Nwaneri forced the home defence into action, with Collins heading the ball clear. Martinelli pounced on the loose ball, controlling it expertly before firing home. VAR briefly reviewed a potential shove on the defender in the build-up, but the goal stood. (GOAL 3-1)
Arsenal came close to extending their lead on the hour mark with a swift counterattack. Raya’s long clearance found Martinelli, who waited for Jesus to burst into the box before laying the ball into his path. The Brazilian’s first-time effort, however, narrowly missed the target.
Moments later, another quick transition saw Raya launch a huge throw to Martinelli, but Flekken was quick off his line to intercept before the winger could capitalise.
With Arsenal largely content to cede possession and defend their lead, Brentford struggled to create meaningful chances. Frustrated, Thomas Frank made a quadruple substitution in an attempt to inject fresh energy into his side. Mikel Arteta responded with three changes of his own, introducing Lewis-Skelly, Trossard, and Rice in place of Calafiori, Nwaneri, and Merino.
The changes had the desired effect, effectively taking the sting out of the game. The final 15 minutes passed with little incident as Brentford ran out of ideas, while Saliba and Gabriel comfortably marshalled things at the back.
The result lifts Arsenal back to second in the table ahead of a challenging trip to Brighton. Liverpool may not be feeling the pressure just yet given their lead at the top, but the Gunners continue to show they won’t be handing them a free run at the title.
Nice start.
TP5 man of match for me. Absolute class performance
Just remember how fickle our fans can be. He’s been immense this season and half the fans would have gotten rid of him instead of sticking by and supporting him.
It’s not Partey’s performances, it’s his lack of availability that has been the problem. Also, his contract is running out at the end of the season. Would’ve been a good idea to recoup some money and invest in a younger, long term asset. He’s being managed well by Arteta, not being overloaded with minutes..
No that’s not what many were saying on here. It was “his legs are gone, he can’t run, he’s finished”
His legs are not the same, that’s a fact. He doesn’t have the same zip in his step, doesn’t do well chasing after opponents. He’s also playing once a week. Legs are tested when you play twice a week.
I’d love a younger Partey but I don’t tend to trust performances in the last year of contract. Have been stung too many times.
Playing twice a week and in 2 different positions. He’s become a machine
Just to give you a reality check. Partey has been playing twice a week most of the season.
The sands of time are still flowing.
They were writing him off as soon as Rice joined
Speaking for myself, it wasn’t vendetta or fickleness but prognostication based on his age and injury history and form last season. I’m as happy as anyone to see him playing like this, against all reasonable expectation. It’s one of the big unexpected positives in our campaign so far along with the emergence of Myles and Ethan and the spectacular collapse of Man City.
I was just about to make the same comment. He’s easily been one of our more consistent players this season.
Brilliant
With Brentford’s home form and going one up, I thought we’d be lucky to get a point. Great result, let’s hope Liverpool start tripping up.
We won but so happy for Nelli
I need to hear this half-time talk !
Fantastic performance. Partey immense, Jesus and Martinelli starting to fire. Nwaneri will be Fabregas level good. To go to that ground with no Saka, no Havertz, in bad form, to go behind and still win comfortable. Fantastic, I’m walking on air.
Job done. Well done. Now get ready for Brighton. We’re going to need to be close to perfect to pull this off.
Won’t help to have Partey filling at RB since Jurrien will be suspended 🙁
Brighton haven’t been in very good for recently. I feel better about going there than I did going to Brentford, because Brighton do leave gaps at the back. Timber’s absence will be felt but less keenly than if we were going to face another low block. He was due a rest anyway.
Arteta’s statement the other day, about the Premier League trophy being Liverpool’s to lose, was quite brave. But it seems like Arsenal can not lose these days. With a key player injured, we might be heading towards the greatest season in the club’s history.
It adds pressure on the leading team. Good mind games..
Partey was immense today. Underrated honestly.
Stodgy first half, good second half. Still missing that “something”.
A boring rubbish game but a very good result.
Brentford were very negative and defensive and got what they deserved. We were functional but not very creative or exciting. It was one of those games.
We just need to keep winning and then sign some quality this month, and who knows?
No MOTM:a good solid all-round effort.
But boring.
2025 is going to be a long year for you, Mate.
😀
The only boring bit was the last 20 mins when we completely took any jeopardy out of the equation by closing the game down beautifully. My kinda boring.
How was it boring? Do you actually watch much football, or ignorantly just come here to troll people.
Happy New Year, Fats!
What are you supposed to do when they put 10 behind the ball and get a lucky goal. We hit them for 3 and could have had more. Entitled “fans” these days
Agree with most part except the lucky goal, there is nothing lucky about that goal. Mistake by Odegaard, and an excellent finish. Brentford still are the 2nd best team at home this season, so a very good win.
Nah Ipswich was boring but we were on it today!
I bet your a laugh a month!!!
I am more positive. The Arsenal pressure was immense. You could just lean back and wait for the inevitable, particularly in the minutes leading up to 3-1. They were just totally outplayed.
I think one of the most impressive things about this team is that when we have the lead and don’t want to play anymore the game’s as good as done. When we set ourselves like that teams struggle to get near our goal. I thought the Brentford fans showed a real lack of class too, chanting “wanker! wanker!” at Jesus after Damsgaard whacked him in the mouth drawing blood and then later singing “cheating Arsenal” when they were getting no joy. It was kind of pathetic. I thought the referee was alright, which is a rare enough occurrence it’s probably… Read more »
The referee was not an issue but I thought it was pretty funny late in the game when Brentford were given a free kick for literally ripping Gabriel Jesus ‘s shirt almost off his back.
I know, right?
For me it was another moment, where if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.
This bullshit, though, keeps happening
Talk about renting garments!
Yeah I agree – Brentford fans didn’t cover themselves in glory
Better balance with Nwaneri on the right. Excellent play from out Hale End graduate. More to come. 3 points, excellent start to the new year, let’s keep the foot on the gas. Hectic schedule ahead. COYG!
Agreed, he is ridiculously good, just does the right thing most of the time, just like Bukayo.
Agree – excellent decision making most of the time
Two goals from corners. We are going to see more games like this where we, oh what is the phrase, pragmatic and grinding.
I like my team a great deal.
Thomas was unbelievable in that game. First half especially he was literally everywhere.
Agreed. And we have the depth to manage his minutes in midfield, which is one the keys to keeping him at this level. Unfortunately, against Brighton he will be forced to play 90 minutes at right back, where our depth is now zero.
I do believe Tierney has played right back at times in his career but obviously that is last resort stuff. However, with only Partey ahead of him for the weekend at right back then there is that chance…..
I believe Calafiori has played at right back for us too
If Jesus can score goals regularly, he’s twice the player both Martinelli and Trossard are.
Possibly wouldn’t go that far but I agree that he has a class that those other two don’t have. He’s great to watch and adds more to the attack. When he’s fit and on form – that’s the big thing.
Under the circumstances, I think that was our most impressive performance of the season. Really tough place to go but the manner of the comeback should give us a whole heap of confidence. No complaints about Jesus being man of the match, but feel Nwaneri was our most exciting player. He’s not quite at Saka’s level but the balance with him and Martinelli feels just about right.
Best performance of 2025 so far, definitely!
I feared for us before this match as it had all the ingredients of a possible slip up. A well coached, committed low block has given us lots of trouble in recent times. But if just goes to show that so often in football, you need a few kind bounces against a low block and we got those today. As unsatisfying as it may seem, that’s often what these results come down to. Mark Flekken’s goalkeeping was also a major factor and was implicated on all 3 efforts, particularly the second. For our part, the major tactical change from Ipswich… Read more »
Cutting in as a left footed shooting threat as well as the inswinging back post crosses. And he’s got that small space close control/one-touch interplay that makes the Saka/Martin combo so deadly. All of that is out the window with Martinelli on the right. I actually *am* a fan of like for like for the very reason you stated, if you have someone with similar attributes. Ethan’s not Saka but he’s in that mould.
Thomas Partey’s importance to this squad cannot be ignored. Arteta should keep him.
Great start to the year! One game a time, going to have to grind out results till Saka is back
Beautiful great character got stuck in, didn’t get intimidated in tough place , delighted with all lads but big shout out to TP5, Cala MM23 controlling the ball ethan and Martin Od and lovely to see jesus and martinelli with confidence
A good win and good performances all over the pitch. TP’s MOTM for me. Shame we may see him at RB against Brighton given the pointless yellow to Timber. I thought Ethan did pretty well in the RW. Beat his man a few times and got a few really good balls into the box. Odegaard was disappointing. Calafiori and Merino underwhelming, the latter’s goal aside. Hope they really step it up against Brighton. All in all, this is a massive win.
The entire left sided dynamic was awkward. Not enough reps together for these boys, not enough match fitness for two of the three.
Nice win at a tough place. Our record in London derbies continues. Where previously we’d have crumbled, we dug in and turned things around. With both Havertz and Saka out, others stepped up in their absence. Onwards and upwards.
It was a difficult start but we go the job done. Nwaneri seemed to get better as the game progressed. A great start to the year.
Struggling with indigestion from eating my words regarding Jesus.
Really good result with another tough away game coming up, three points from that will boost belief on a title charge.
Lol
Man of the match for me is Partey.
Yes Jesus did well with the goal, but his decision making sometimes is questionable.
We still need another winger/striker
Very fine win.
Saka’s absence has made us less predictable
Martinelli belongs in the box and not hugging the touchline
Nwaneri completely belongs
We need to embrace the chaos. A win and a loss is better than 2 draws.
The only negative to the game being the neighbours go above Brentford after this result. Mitigated by the fact their are still in the bottom half
If not for referee blunders in soooo many matches we would be ahead of Pool in the table
Just been listening to the guardian football daily podcast. THey’ve got some podcaster guy on there who’s tongue is basically so far up Liverpool’s collective arsenal that he’s reverse-French-kissing the LFC first team with a brown-sweetcrn-flecked tongue. I paraphrase the following, but essentially: ‘Arsenal must cling on to any hope that they can catch Liverpool, but it’s liverpool’s to lose.’ Liverpool are ‘the best team in the world right now, the best attack in the world’ on TAA: ‘it’s a disgrace that he should even be thinking of leaving Liverpool (for Real Madrid)’. I know we’re all Arsenal fan’s here… Read more »
unfortunate autocorrect (thanks computer!). SHOULD read:
‘…basically so far up Liverpool’s collective arse…’
Yeah, I think we got it. 🤣