The Gunners start 2025 with a major success. Arsenal won at Brentford on Wednesday in the last match of the 19th day of the Premier League (1-3). Bryan Mbeumo (13th) surprised the visitors who reversed a bad situation thanks to Gabriel Jesus (29th) then Mikel Merino (50th) and Gabriel Martinelli (53rd). Mikel Arteta's men take 2nd place in the standings, 6 points behind leader Liverpool.
As expected, the match started with the Gunners on the attack against opponents who were very low. The Bees, however, have real playing principles, defended well and did very poorly on their very first shot. Mikkel Damsgaard launched Mbeumo towards the right of the opposing area and the former Trojan surprised Riccardo Calafiori with a shot between the legs which deceived David Raya at the near post (1-0, 13th).
Raya décisif
This 11th goal of the season from former Trojan Mbeumo shocked the visitors who had lost track of their intentions. Badly placed on this opening score, Raya almost cracked again with a hand fault on a shot from Keane Lewis-Potter. He recovered at the last minute by diving towards his line and clearly turned the match around (28th). Because in the process, Arsenal equalized on a diving header from Gabriel Jesus, on the lookout after a shot from Thomas Partey repelled by Mark Flekken (29th).
In the absence of Bukayo Saka and while Kai Havertz was ill, Gabriel Jesus proved invaluable with his travels and confirmed his return to form with 6 goals in his last 4 matches in all competitions. Above all, he put his people back in the right direction as the debates slowly became more balanced.
Arsenal full of seriousness
Arsenal were able to start the second half with confidence and once again strike with their lethal weapon: set pieces. On a corner from the right, Arteta's men hampered Flekken's exit and took the advantage on a recovery from Merino after a mix-up (1-2, 50th). The advantage was taken and the Gunners made the break a few moments later with a cross from Ethan Nwaneri, 17, pushed back to Martinelli for a nice recovery sent into the back of the net (1-3, 53rd).
Despite the four changes made at once by their Danish coach Thomas Frank (75th), Brentford never found the resources and offensive inspiration necessary to revive. They suffered a second defeat in a row at home after having reigned until then in their Gtech Community Stadium. The Gunners, for their part, continue their momentum with this 4th victory in a row in the league. Enough to keep your title dreams alive in this new year.
