Brentford 1-3 Arsenal: Gunners cut Liverpool's lead at top of Premier League to six points after comeback win

[ad_1] Arsenal reduce Liverpool's lead on the high of the Premier League to 6 factors after staging a comeback victory to beat Brentford 3-1 on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.

Liverpool's emphatic win over West Ham on Sunday evening had left Arsenal stewing over the previous few days, with the hole on the high between the perimeters 9 factors. Nonetheless, the Gunners began 2025 with a win to maneuver again as much as second, however it was not with out concern for Mikel Arteta's aspect.

Brentford got here into the sport with considerably of an harm disaster as Thomas Frank had close to sufficient a full Premier League workforce out on the sidelines. Nonetheless, it was the hosts, boosted by the supply of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead by Bryan Mbeumo's early strike (13).

Frank was requested about potential curiosity within the ahead from Premier League golf equipment forward of the sport and the Brentford boss laughed off solutions the 25-year-old may depart the membership this month. Mbeumo confirmed as soon as once more how essential he's to this Brentford aspect, nestling a low strike previous David Raya at his close to publish for his eleventh league objective of the season.

It's usually stated soccer is a recreation of tremendous margins. It proved to be the case once more on this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter's shot slip by his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly in the direction of objective however Raya reacted shortly and leapt again to claw the ball off the objective line.

Fifty-five seconds later and Arsenal had been degree. Thomas Partey's low shot was effectively saved by Flekken however Jesus (29) pounced to go residence the rebound from shut vary for his sixth objective in 4 video games in all competitions because the guests restored parity heading into the break.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789427.jpg?20250101181211" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789427.jpg?20250101181211 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789427.jpg?20250101181211 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789427.jpg?20250101181211 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789427.jpg?20250101181211 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Brentford"/> Picture: Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring for Arsenal towards Brentford Arteta had work to do on the interval as his aspect had struggled for respectable chunks within the first half, and regardless of the Spaniard stated to his aspect, it had the specified impact, with the Gunners scoring twice in three minutes.

'Set-piece once more' sounded out from the away finish after Mikel Merino (50) swept residence from shut vary after Flekken had didn't cope with Ethan Nwaneri's nook.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-mikel-merino-arsenal_6789485.jpg?20250101184752" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-mikel-merino-arsenal_6789485.jpg?20250101184752 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-mikel-merino-arsenal_6789485.jpg?20250101184752 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-mikel-merino-arsenal_6789485.jpg?20250101184752 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-mikel-merino-arsenal_6789485.jpg?20250101184752 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Arsenal's Mikel Merino celebrates scoring the Gunners' second goal vs Brentford"/> Picture: Arsenal's Mikel Merino celebrates scoring the Gunners' second objective vs Brentford The Gunners had been celebrating three minutes and eight seconds later as Nwaneri, who was making his first league begin, noticed his cross cleared solely so far as Gabriel Martinelli, who steered a shot into the far nook to provide his aspect respiration house.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-martinelli_6789491.jpg?20250101185246" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-gabriel-martinelli_6789491.jpg?20250101185246 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-martinelli_6789491.jpg?20250101185246 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-gabriel-martinelli_6789491.jpg?20250101185246 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-gabriel-martinelli_6789491.jpg?20250101185246 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal against Brentford"/> Picture: Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring Arsenal's third objective towards Brentford There was to be no dramatic comeback from Brentford, who suffered simply their second residence defeat of the season within the Premier League.

In the meantime, Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches with a 3rd straight league win. They now have the prospect to chop Liverpool's result in three factors after they face a visit to Brighton, dwell on Sky Sports activities on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm), forward of Liverpool's conflict with Manchester United on Tremendous Sunday, additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities (kick-off 4.30pm).

The sport's key second? At one finish, Raya clawed a shot from his objective line after practically dropping a clanger...

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-david-raya-arsenal_6789460.jpg?20250101182549" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-david-raya-arsenal_6789460.jpg?20250101182549 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-david-raya-arsenal_6789460.jpg?20250101182549 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-david-raya-arsenal_6789460.jpg?20250101182549 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-david-raya-arsenal_6789460.jpg?20250101182549 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="David Raya claws the ball away from goal"/> ... 55 seconds later Arsenal had been degree by Jesus.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-brentford_6789461.jpg?20250101182632" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-gabriel-jesus-brentford_6789461.jpg?20250101182632 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-brentford_6789461.jpg?20250101182632 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-gabriel-jesus-brentford_6789461.jpg?20250101182632 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-gabriel-jesus-brentford_6789461.jpg?20250101182632 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Gabriel Jesus heads Arsenal level 55 seconds after Raya's save"/> Arteta hails 'large win' Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:

"It is a large win. They are a actually good aspect, very effectively coached they usually've been distinctive at residence.

"Particularly whenever you go a objective down early within the recreation it turns into a mountain to climb, however the workforce remained affected person. We needed to handle the state of affairs emotionally.

"We have now to navigate by some troublesome moments.

"We began actually quick and aggressive and once more adapting. We had some accidents and illness and we needed to play some totally different gamers."

Will Arsenal take likelihood to place strain on Liverpool? Sky Sports activities' Oliver Yew on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium:

The way in which Brentford have been enjoying at residence this season, this was by no means going to be straightforward for Arsenal.

Nonetheless, after dealing with loads of adversity within the opening 45 minutes, they got here by a troublesome check for a major win within the title race.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789434.jpg?20250101181354" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789434.jpg?20250101181354 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789434.jpg?20250101181354 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789434.jpg?20250101181354 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-gabriel-jesus-arsenal_6789434.jpg?20250101181354 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring against Brentford"/> Picture: Jesus celebrates scoring the opener for Arsenal It now permits the Gunners to attempt to put some strain on Liverpool, who've been threatening to run away with the league, forward of their conflict with Man Utd on Tremendous Sunday.

Earlier than that, the Gunners journey to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton on Saturday Night time Soccer and a win would see them reduce the hole to the Reds to a few factors with Slot's aspect having two video games in hand.

Talking after the sport, Arteta stated his aspect had been solely centered on doing their job. "We are able to solely win our subsequent match and see what occurs," he stated. "It is not in our fingers, however what's in our fingers we'd like to ensure we do it."

Liverpool have been cruising in latest weeks but when Arsenal can sneak up within the rear-view mirror of the Anfield aspect, strain can do humorous issues.

It is a lengthy season. I perceive why Arne Slot is saying 'we have not gained something but'. Liverpool have not had a dip but and that can probably come, and Arsenal are selecting up factors after they're not totally firing. It is going to go proper to the top. Brentford boss Thomas Frank on the title race

Nwaneri stakes declare to fill Saka's boots <img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal_6789538.jpg?20250101200313" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/384x216/skysports-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal_6789538.jpg?20250101200313 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/768x432/skysports-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal_6789538.jpg?20250101200313 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/1600x900/skysports-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal_6789538.jpg?20250101200313 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/25/01/2048x1152/skysports-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal_6789538.jpg?20250101200313 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, left, runs with the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Gtech Community stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)"/> Picture: Ethan Nwaneri made his first Premier League begin towards Brentford Again in September 2022, Ethan Nwaneri turned the youngest participant in Premier League historical past, aged 15 years and 181 days, when he got here on as an alternative choice to Arsenal towards Brentford on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.

Handed his first Premier League begin on the identical floor, he crammed in fairly brilliantly for Bukayo Saka on the correct aspect, taking corners and certainly enjoying a serious hand within the third objective as Arsenal roared again.

Within the first half, he was the one participant to finish all of his passes (17/17), whereas he additionally created two possibilities, a determine solely bettered by Martinelli (3). In all, Nwaneri gave the ball away simply twice.

It was a efficiency that impressed Arsenal boss Arteta. "Actually good. In coaching he gave us all the correct causes. He's an academy participant and he must play as a result of he deserves it.

On why he began the 17-year-old, he added: "In that place it wasn't due to the bug. It was as a result of he was the very best participant to play within the place."

Aged 17 years and 286 days, Nwaneri was the third-youngest participant to start out a Premier League recreation for Arsenal, after Cesc Fabregas (17 years 103 days vs Everton in August 2004) and Theo Walcott (17 years 212 days vs Watford in October 2006).

Child steps for {the teenager} however he has added another choice for Arteta in Saka's absence.

Story of the match in stats...

Opta stats: Capital positive factors for Gunners Arsenal have picked up extra factors in Premier League London derbies this season (14) than some other aspect, whereas no aspect has fewer factors in such matches this time period than Brentford (4, degree with Crystal Palace).Brentford are the one aspect but to maintain a clear sheet at residence within the Premier League this season. Certainly, the Bees have gone 11 successive residence league matches with out a shutout for the primary time since October 2007 (13).Arsenal have scored 9 Premier League objectives from nook conditions this season, essentially the most of any aspect. Certainly, 5 of the Gunners' final 12 league objectives have come through corners. 'It's good to be good to beat Arsenal' Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:

"It's good to play an ideal recreation towards Arsenal, one of many two finest groups within the league, most likely on this planet. I believed truly we had been near good within the first half, I cherished the best way we performed.

"I am happy with the efficiency, particularly the primary half, and in addition I believed the second half was not too dangerous - we simply conceded two objectives.

"I feel the general efficiency was good, perhaps superb, however the large moments we did not take them effectively sufficient - particularly the three defensive moments."