Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford: Who Needs Bukayo Saka? Ethan Nwaneri Shines as Gabriel Jesus Leads Stunning Comeback Victory

Arsenal triumphed 3-1 over Brentford in a thrilling Premier League encounter, with Gabriel Jesus continuing his fine form and Ethan Nwaneri impressing in his first start. Read our detailed player ratings and match analysis as the Gunners close the gap on Liverpool to six points.

Jan 1, 2025 - 23:51
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Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford: Who Needs Bukayo Saka? Ethan Nwaneri Shines as Gabriel Jesus Leads Stunning Comeback Victory
Brentford 1 - 3 Arsenal Highlights - score808.biz

Arsenal opened 2025 with a crucial 3-1 victory at Brentford as the Gunners closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points. Off to a slow start and an early setback, Mikel Arteta's men rallied to turn in a dominant second-half display that finally sealed the win. The victory showed the depth and strength of the squad, but one individual shone through: Ethan Nwaneri was outstanding in his first-ever start for the Gunners in the Premier League.

What was a pulsating contest full of drama saw key performances from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and the young prodigy Nwaneri seal the deal for all three points. The game was truly a testament to Arsenal's attacking quality and their penchant for fighting back even on occasions when things were not looking bright. Let's go into the individual player ratings from the game at Gtech Community Stadium.

Read also: Brentford 1-3 Arsenal Post Match Review and Highights

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10): 

A nervy game out of character by the Arsenal goalkeeper. Beaten at his near post by Bryan Mbeumo's strike, Raya was caught off guard as the Brentford attacker cut inside from the right and rifled in a low shot. Later in the game, Raya almost let a tame shot from Keane Lewis-Potter slip through his hands as he scrambled to keep that out. Solid, after the early scare, performance devoid of calmness and composure- really not like them.

Jurrien Timber (7/10):
He was booked in the first half and will, therefore, miss Arsenal's next match against Brighton through suspension. Timb was solid at the back; he was steady back there as he dealt with Brentford's attacks without much fuss. His reading of the game was top-notch, snuffing out danger at every opportunity that came his way.

William Saliba (8/10):
Saliba again commanded in the heart of Arsenal's defence. Strong, composed and full of tactical awareness throughout as he contributed to limiting Brentford to very few attacking moments. Tight in his defensive displays in the central areas, it did mean that Brentford hardly ever got the opportunity to look dangerous inside the final third. Vocal too, as generally well-organized at the back.

Gabriel Magalhães (8/10):
Top of the pile was Magalhães, not least because he overcame a potentially disastrous injury in the warm-up to excel from the first minute onwards. The Brazilian seemed to feel no ill-effects from that setback as he was imperious in defence throughout, strong in the air, and combative in the challenges, bringing some real authority to the Arsenal backline.
 
His presence nullified much of what Brentford's attackers brought with him. 
 
Riccardo Calafiori - 6/10:
This was the first start for Calafiori since his return, and it showed. A little nervy throughout, he really struggled with some of the Brentford pressing. He was sometimes sloppy in possession and got caught out for Mbeumo's opening goal. At times, the young Italian left-back got caught on the ball, failing to track his man, but he did show moments of his potential, especially as he settled into the game.

Midfield

Thomas Partey (8/10):
He'd been involved in each buildup process for Arsenal, given that he had managed to be a force in midfield since he gave a block to the backline. Literally, everywhere on the pitch, destroying Brentford's attack and instigating one for his team. He had his shot parried by the goalkeeper for Gabriel Jesus's equalizer as work rate and taking over the game proved vital in Arsenal's midfield dominance.

Mikel Merino 7/10 
Merino was there in defence and at times in offense since his presence means much-needed balance is provided in the middle of the park. He was positioned at the right time and place to slot that extremely crucial second goal in when coolly finishing after that scramble inside the box started to pan out. He combines well enough with Gabriel Martinelli on occasions and also went with those driving runs nicely through the middle. A little too passive at time, he perhaps wasn't as dynamic enough when having to drive with the ball when matters seemed decisive.

Martin Ødegaard 6/10

It was not in colour evening for Arsenal's skipper against Brentford. The Scandinavian ace looked off his game by sending over some sloppy passages. It was a tame loose passage from him that built-up the opening goal. However, he did appear off pace for long periods of the match, and only at times did his technical brilliance flash onto the screen. The vision, the imagination was a bit off, and he just could not have an effect on the result of the match like he does. Ataque

Ethan Nwaneri (8/10):

A sensational first Premier League start it was from Ethan Nwaneri.

For a player of just 17 years of age, he showed much maturity on the ball and did look quite capable of playing at this level. Trickery and control ensured Nwaneri was a constant threat to the back four of Brentford. Both Arsenal's second and third goals came via crosses he provided, and he completed the game with an impressive 92% pass accuracy. For someone of his age, his vision to spot teammates was superb. To say that fans cannot wait to see more from Nwaneri is putting it very mildly.

Gabriel Jesus (8/10):
It ended a great day out for the forwards.
Another match, another goal for Gabriel Jesus, one with a poacher's finish to bring Arsenal level after a great show of finishing by Brentford. Indeed, it was the Brazilian forward who stayed alive for large parts of the night - both as a scorer and creator. Had a shot saved by the Brentford keeper before dropping into the path of Mikel Merino to score Arsenal's second. Jesus's hard work rate and getting into good positions were key to it all in Arsenal's attacks.

Gabriel Martinelli: 7/10

Much better in the second half, especially when at 3-1 down, Martinelli thumped in a volley as Arsenal finally started to fight back. Paced and direct in his running, much pressure was put on the Brentford backline. This was more like the Martinelli everyone knows. The goal by Martinelli showed just how powerfully he can finish, which is why he is one of the most exciting young players currently playing in the Premier League.
Substitutes & Manager

Declan Rice (N/A):
On as part of a late triple substitution but was never going to have any real bearing on the match. The game was won by the time he came on really, and he did his bit in helping see the win out.

Leandro Trossard (N/A):
Trossard did very little following his appearance in the game. Of course, the game was well in Arsenal's grasp once he stepped onto the field, so there wasn't much more that he could have done outside of maintaining possession.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):

Lewis-Skelly came on for Calafiori in the last 10 minutes just to seal the deal that arsenal do not concede a late goal and stayed solid from the back, the midfielder had very little to do but managed the game well in his limited cameo.

Jorginho N/A:

Same for Jorginho as well, who came in as the substitute in the late moments of the game when the result had already been sealed.

Oleksandr Zinchenko N/A:

On came Zinchenko for the final seconds of the match and frankly there was little time for the youngster to make a statement of note.

Mikel Arteta: 7/10

Arteta will be delighted that his side responded so well after being a goal down early in the exchanges. His call to start Nwaneri up front was justified, with some astute in-game adjustments from himself seeing Arsenal dominate the rhythm of the game in the second half. Resilience all round and adaptability within the game from the manager secured them the win.

Final Thoughts: A Crucial Win for Arsenal

A statement of intent for the ambitions of Arsenal towards the league crown as 3-1 is the win over Brentford.

Having been nervous in the first quarter of this match, this truly shows great character and attacking class from the Gunners as they go on to make this match one-sided, very much so in this second period. Once again, the sustained great form of Gabriel Jesus came to the fore, with young Ethan Nwaneri stealing the show in a display of real calm and maturity. It brings Arsenal within six points of Liverpool to keep their title hopes alive. The performance once again brought to the fore the depth that Arteta has at his disposal, with Nwaneri doing his thing and Jesus leading from the front, among others. Never has the future looked this rosy regarding a serious tilt at the league crown for Arsenal.