Brentford 1-3 Arsenal Post Match Review and Highights

Arsenal Overcome Early Scare to Secure Convincing Victory Over Brentford

Jan 1, 2025 - 23:32
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Arsenal closed the gap to leaders Liverpool to six points in the Premier League with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on New Year's Day 2025. The Gunners had to come from behind, in an attack pleasing, as they managed to take their unbeaten run through the turn of the year.

It was an eventful, pulsating encounter full of drama and brilliance as Brentford took a shock lead as early as the 13th minute, only to watch Arsenal strike three times in the second half inside the space of five minutes to win all three points that catapult the Gunners to second in the Premier League standings. But this was largely dominated by big chunks of Mikel Arteta's men showing depth in their squad and how they respond to adversity.

Early Setback for Arsenal

Jittery, the note got off as the Gunners went behind inside the opening exchanges of the game. This time, Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo punished the lax concentration at Arsenal's backline as they reached just 13 minutes in the game, with a long pass given by his partner, the striking shrugged past the challenge coming from Gabriel Magalhães and slotted the ball past David Raya who featured for the first time against his former side.

The goal sent the home crowd into raptures and gave Brentford a real sense of belief as the Gunners struggled to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges. Mbeumo's finish was expertly taken but Arsenal's backline, so often a foundation for the team this term, appeared a little rattled as they battled to gather their composure. For the visitors determined to put the early setback out of sight, they very nearly froze cold again. A speculative Keane Lewis-Potter shot looked to have been dealt with by Raya, but the ball slipped through the goalkeeper's grasp almost impossibly. The Spaniard got lucky; his quick reflexes saw him recover in time to pull the ball off the line and keep the score at 1-0. This near miss would prove a turning point in the game.

Arsenal's Equalizer: A Quick Response
And from out of a lucky bag, in comes an Arsenal equalizer without even breaking a sweat. As early as the 29th minute, Jesus had shown his predatory self as he nodded into the net a ball that came from a keeper that has been under great scrutiny for some misses in recent outings.

Eventually, it was a goal, a deflection from Mikel Merino's shot that had first been kept out by Brentford's goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, but the ball fell kindly for Jesus, quickest to react and nod it past the Brentford keeper to make it 1-1. The goal brought life into the Arsenal team, with them beginning to be themselves on the ball; their trademark short passing game started to take hold.

A goal against the run of play, an equalizer, was all that needed to reply to that nightmare beginning as testimony to its mental strength and attacking prowess. The clinical finish from Gabriel Jesus proved the catalyst for Arsenal's turnaround, with them eventually getting on top in the game.

Second Half Dominance: Arsenal's Clinical Edge
After the break, Arsenal came on with changed mentalities, and that dominance was felt right from kick-off in the second half, as in the 50th minute, Mikel Merino found himself at the right place inside the opposition area as the Gunners took the lead for the first time in the match.

This one went to the feet of the lurking Merino, waiting outside the six-yard box after a scramble ensued from the corner-kick. One touch, however, saw calmness prevail in a frenzied few minutes of footballing mayhem. Classic technique applied by the Spanish midfielder handed Arsenal a 2-1 advantage this way-the sort of finish which was going to win them this sort of match hands down.

But the Gunners did not stop there, with just four minutes later, it was 3-1. In amongst it was Ethan Nwaneri, handed his first Premier League start in the absence of injured Bukayo Saka. The youngster played in an inviting cross into the box that had been diverted into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who did not require a second invitation to finish with aplomb, giving Flekken no chance.

The goals were quick fire due to relentless pressure and ruthless attacking mentality; clearly, Arsenal had finally found their groove with Brentford reeling and not knowing how to handle the intent and fluidity from their opponents. Top were Mikel Arteta's men, for whom a fourth goal did look a matter of course.

Brentford's Response and Arsenal's Resilience
As the game wore on, Brentford did try to make a response to the two-goal deficit but without imagination or finishing touch to unlock such a high degree of precision to unlock Arsenal's rearguard. The raft of substitutions were made by The Bees in trying to regain a foothold in the match which was visibly snuffed out of their game by the sheer quality of Arsenal.

There were a few runs behind the back four of Arsenal by Yoane Wissa and Mikkel Damsgaard, but all those were dealt with by an impenetrable duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. Most of the crosses in the box from Brentford were being comfortably headed away by the arsenal rearguard as they easily saw out the remainder of the match.

In return, Arsenal showed their game management by keeping the ball and the tempo in their favor. As the game wore into its closing stages, frustrations grew for Brentford, and they were unable to fashion any clear-cut opportunities. The midfield of Arsenal, marshaled by the ever-reliable Martin Ødegaard, was not affording the home side much room to operate.

Key Performances: Gabriel, Merino, and Martinelli
It was an all-rounded performance from Arsenal, yet a few stole the show. While involved in the equalizer, Gabriel Jesus proved a menace most of the match, considering his movements off the ball bothered Brentford's back four, and his finish at bringing his team level recalled his quality in front of goal.

An enormous goal, but in its entirety, it was as huge of a contribution there was from Mikel Merino in the middle of the park. The calmness of the Spaniard on the ball and breaking up Brentford's attacks allowed Arsenal to dominate the midfield battle. Alongside him, Ødegaard once again pulled the strings in creative hub style as Arsenal's playmaker, laying on both of Arsenal's second-half goals.

That work rate to press and actually link up the play was equated to a well-taken goal by Gabriel Martinelli. Brazilian's movement off the ball and that understanding with teammates played a big role in Arsenal's attacking display so far this season. And yes, his goal in North London was a just reward for tireless effort that he puts in week after week.

Looking Ahead: Arsenal's Title Push
That result leaves Arsenal in second place in the Premier League, now six points adrift of leaders Liverpool. As the title run-in reaches hotting up, Arteta will be delighted that his men responded after going a goal down. Full display of attacking depth and defensive solidity on show for Arsenal, which they hope to maintain in order to keep their title push on track.

But this sweet victory had a sour end, with news that will be of huge concern for Arteta henceforth: news about Bukayo Saka, one of the best performers this season for the gunners; his absence might just finally affect the Gunner attack, though it didn't against Zurich, thanks to Nwaneri.

The second half of the season gets underway, with Arsenal hopeful that taking their scintillating start of the season a bit further will turn the heat onto Liverpool. The title is well and truly wide open, and with the quality of their squad, as well as the leadership provided by Arteta, Arsenal must be confident of their chances.

Conclusion: A Comeback to Remember
The victory that came-Arsenal 3-1 over Brentford-spoke of the resilience and class thrown at them. Teetering on the edge of collapse after a stuttering opening, the Gunners recovered well and imposed their clinical edge in the second half, netting three goals inside five minutes for a deserved victory. This good reminder, coming into the New Year revitalized with confidence, says so much with regard to what the team has been focusing on.

That would have proven a disappointing result for Brentford, though, even as there was consolation in the early promise of their performance: the Bees gave a good account of themselves against the best, yet were ultimately undone by quality and fire-power at the disposal of Mikel Arteta. Now, the home team tries to get the better end of this tie as the action goes deep into their Premier League season.

Just about all that was required to be the perfect start to 2025 for Arsenal, though; and definitely they would be full-on into the title challenge now. This is the Gunners going back into the hunt, firmly setting eyes on the prize, going ahead with momentum no team would ever dream of facing in the months to come.