Brentford 1-3 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners come from behind in New Year's Day win

90min

·1 January 2025

Brentford 1-3 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners come from behind in New Year's Day win

Arsenal came from behind to secure a Premier League victory over Brentford on New Year's Day 2025, cutting the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points – albeit having played a game more.

Bryan Mbeumo's form this season has led to transfer links with the likes of Arsenal, and his 11th Premier League goal of the campaign put the hosting Bees into a lead inside 13 minutes.

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Arsenal hadn't threatened the goal prior to that and still found their shooting radar askew for much of a challenging opening half hour, until Thomas Partey's shot was parried by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Gabriel Jesus gobbled up the rebound to continue his rich vein of scoring form.

Only a moment earlier, David Raya had avoided calamity at the other end when he atoned for fumbling a shot from Keane Lewis-Potter. However, within ten minutes of the second half beginning, Arsenal had control of the game that they didn't relinquish.

An Arsenal corner – what else? – caused sufficient mayhem in the Brentford box shortly after half-time, with the ball falling invitingly for Mikel Merino. Hardly any time had then passed before Gabriel Martinelli fired in from just about 12 yards out following good wing play from 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 evening. There will be a chance to cut the deficit in half, with points on the board arguably more important than games in hand. Liverpool are due to host struggling Manchester United at Anfield just under 24 hours later.

Brentford, meanwhile, remain 12th, reassuringly clear of the relegation zone and still within one win of a place in the top half of the table ahead of a weekend game away at Southampton.