Brentford 1-3 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Jesus, Merino and Martinelli complete stunning turnaround for Gunners – updates
ARSENAL kicked off their 2025 with a stunning fightback over Brentford to win 3-1.
Bryan Mbeumo gave Brentford an early lead after before Gabriel Jesus continued his fine record form with the equaliser.
Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino scored quickfire goals in the second half to see the Gunners leap up to second.
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Bees looking to find sting again
Brentford have now gone five games without a win.
Currently sitting twelfth in the table, Thomas Frank will need to get his side firing once again.
They were pushing for European qualification in the season, now are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Martin pulling the strings for Gunners
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was once again the engine room for their win against Brentford this evening.
His creativity is integral to Mikel Arteta's side, acting as the lynchpin between their defence and attack.
He leads by example to inspire The Gunners and is a constant thorn in the side of whoever they are playing.
Transfer spending could dictate focus
While Arsenal are looking to end a 22-year Premier League title drought, many have questioned whether a trophy of any sorts is key for the manager this season.
The board have backed him heavily in strengthening his squad but at some point they will want to see results for the investment.
Having finished runners-up to Man City in the last couple of seasons, winning a cup would prove to the doubters that they are moving in the right direction.
As a result, there may be occasions where Arteta has to play stronger sides in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup to try and ensure that success.
Add to that their will to go as far as they can in this season's Champions League competition.
This could put a strain on the squad and its depth, meaning they struggle to stay on the coat-tails of league leaders Liverpool.
Home is where the heart is
Arsenal have tough fixtures coming up in their next five games.
The one thing that Mikel Arteta's side have in their favour is that 80% of those matches will be at The Emirates.
There is no doubting that their form at home has been strongest this campaign, they are unbeaten at home, having won six games and drawn three.
Norwegian key to title charge
Every player has their talisman and Arsenal are no different.
However, Martin Odegaard is so integral to Mikel Arteta's side as a leader, creator and the man that makes his side tick.
If they are to challenge for the Premier League title this season, the Spaniard has to wrap his captain in cotton wool to keep him fit.
It is no coincidence that their run of poor form was while the midfielder spent two months on the sidelines through injury.
Credit: Getty Gunners keeping race going
With Man City having capitulated this season, Arsenal now are the only team who seem to be chasing Liverpool.
Six points behind the leaders, all they can do now is keep the pressure on and hope Arne Slot's side slip up.
The one thing that Arteta's side cannot afford now is drop any more points or their pursuit of The Reds may be over.
Frank's side caught in rut
Things started so well for Brentford this season, well at home anyway.
Despite the form of some of top sides in the Premier League, it was The Bees who had the best home record in England.
Their away form has been dire, their league position was solely down to performances at the Gtech Community Stadium.
What will be worrying for the manager now is that his side are winless in their last five games.
Credit: Getty Raya has happy return to West London
Things could have gone so differently for the former Brentford keeper against his old club.
While trailing, he allowed a shot to go through his hands, but managed to recover to claw it off the goal line before it cost his side.
It proved to be a pivotal moment as The Gunners equalised moments later.
Credit: Reuters Gabby on form for Gunners
Gabriel Jesus was awarded the man of the match award this evening.
His poacher's instinct saw him score the equaliser for The Gunners.
Looking to drop deep and link-up play, he is not your normal striker, rarely spending that much time in the penalty area.
For Arsenal, his recent form has come just at the right time with the injury to Saka.
Arsenal ratings from SunSport's Jordan Davies
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Beaten at his near post by Mbeumo but not helped by slack defending. Almost doubled Brentford’s lead by fumbling a routine shot and forced to scramble back and clear off his own line.
Shaky with ball at feet too. Not the best West London return.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Lucky to escape further punishment after a clumsy first half lunge earned him only a yellow. Worked hard down the right but could not give Nwaneri the support he needed.
GABRIEL – 7
A rock at the back defending set-pieces and aerial deliveries into his box.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Remained a calming presence when Arsenal struggled to create in the opening stages.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Should have done better to stop Mbeumo cutting inside for his opener. Far too easy.
MIKEL MERINO – 7
Won some important duels as Arsenal pinned Brentford back early on. Clinical in the box to put his side ahead after a goalmouth scramble.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Composed on the ball and with some neat and important interceptions. His curled shot paved the way for the equaliser.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
Lost the ball in midfield before Brentford took the lead. A rare quiet outing. Lucky that others around him stepped up.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Lively with little end product in the first half. That all changed after the break with a sweet volley to kill Brentford’s comeback hopes. Was a constant threat.
ETHAN NWANERI – 7
Struggled to have any real impact in open play, given the impossible job of replicating what Saka does out on the right wing.
However, two deliveries into the box brought about two goals to secure the three points.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
He just cannot stop scoring. His instincts in the box look to be back to the levels he produced at Manchester City.
FT: Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
The Gunners are victorious in this London derby.
Having gone a goal behind early on, Arteta's side showed some grit to find a way back into the game before stamping their authority on the match.
Thomas Frank will be disappointed with his side's performance at the Gtech Community Stadium, now five games without a win.
FT: Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
The referee brings the game to a close in West London.
Arsenal secure a big three points in their first game of 2025.
They celebrate with their fans like the title is theirs, classic vibes.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
90+2. This win will take Arsenal to second in the table.
They will now be six points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Reds still have a game in hand over The Gunners.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
90. The Bees are huffing and puffing but unable to create anything.
Despite their impressive home form this season, Frank will be concerned that this will be their second home defeat in as many games.
We are going to have four minutes added.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
88. Arteta brings on Jorginho for Odegaard.
The Spaniard will be keen to keep his talisman fit for the remainder of the campaign.
Jorginho will add a solidity to the centre of midfield to see thsi game out.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
86. Brentford are just lacking that final pass.
They get into good positions but give the ball away all too ften.
The referee awards a free kick to Arsenal, which Raya is in no hurry to take.
Credit: Reuters Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
84. Arsenal come forward, looking to keep the ball in the Brentford half of the pitch.
There is no urgency to get the ball into the box to create goalscoring opportunities, just to keep The Bees camped in their own half.
Flekken boots the ball downfield as Frank's side try to put some pressure on The Gunners.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
82. A long throw in causes havoc in the Arsenal penalty area.
Mbuemo cannot react quickly enough to take advantage.
The Gunners manage to scramble it clear.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
80. Arteta will see this as a big win for his team.
Coming from a goal behind to get a dominant victory will give them confidence for the remainder of the season.
Seeing games out is as important, if not more, than comfortably winning one-sided games.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
78. Trossard, Rice and Lewis-Skelly join the action.
They replace Calafiori, Merino and Nwaneri.
This is Arsenal's game to lose now, game management is key to see them to the finish line for all three points.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
76. Time is running out for the hosts now.
If they are going to get anything out of this game they need a goal.
It looks like Arteta is going to makes some changes.
Credit: AP
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
74. Thomas Frank is looking to get some fresh legs on.
Ji-Soo, Maghoma, Jensen and Schade come on for Brentford.
They replace van den Berg, Norgaard, Damsgaard and Wissa.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
72. The Gunners are pushing forward once again.
Looking to find another goal to put this game to bed.
They look comfortable at the moment but a goal for The Bees could change all of that.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
70. Now we are in January, the silly season commences once again.
Sides linked to every player in Europe.
It will be interesting to see if the Arsenal board back Arteta with more funds or whether they want to see a return on what he has already spent first.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal
68. The travelling fans are making all the noise in the away end.
From a neutral perspective, the game needs a Brentford goal to make this a contest once again.
That would get the home fans behind their team and making this a cauldron of noise once again.