Liverpool’s emphatic win over West Ham on Sunday night had left Arsenal stewing over the last few days, with the gap at the top between the sides nine points. However, the Gunners started 2025 with a win to move back up to second, but it was not without concern for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had nearly enough of a full Premier League team on the sidelines. However, the hosts were boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike.
Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo once again showed how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.
It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly toward the goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.
Arteta had work to do at the interval as his side struggled for decent chunks in the first half, and whatever the Spaniard said to his side, it had the desired effect, with the Gunners scoring twice in three minutes.
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The Gunners were celebrating later as Nwaneri, who was making his first league start, saw his cross cleared only as far as Gabriel Martinelli, who steered a shot into the far corner to give his side breathing space.
There was to be no dramatic comeback from Brentford, who suffered just their second home defeat of the season in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches with a third straight league win. They now have the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead to three points when they face a trip to Brighton ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday.