The English league does not take a break even on January 1, and the London team approaches Liverpool; this Thursday marks the first semi-final of the Italian Super Cup.
Arsenal started timidly but rallied to secure a 3-1 victory over Brentford when they traveled to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday, marking the first Premier League match of 2025 and the final game of Matchday 19. It was the first significant match of 2025, the only one played on January 1 among the five major European leagues.
As a result of this victory, the Gunners now have 39 points, regaining their second place, which they had temporarily ceded to Nottingham Forest (3rd, 37), who had beaten Everton 2-0 at home on Sunday. On the other hand, the leaders, Liverpool, who pulverized West Ham 5-0 away, maintain six points ahead of Arsenal.
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The match started in freezing temperatures with a light drizzle, and Arsenal struggled early on as Brentford took the lead thanks to a goal from Bryan Mbeumo in the 13th minute. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus played a crucial role in Arsenal’s comeback, equalizing just before the half-hour mark with a diving header, scoring his sixth goal in the last four games after scoring just one goal in the first twenty games of the season.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino and fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli delivered two quick strikes early in the second half, which finally calmed things down for the visitors. “The team played very well today. To come here and play the way we did is fantastic, not only because of the result. We came for the three points, but the way we reacted in this match matters a lot,” celebrated Gabriel Jesus in statements to TNT Sports.
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Aside from the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace ten days ago, Arsenal had shown signs of vulnerability in their recent performances, securing a few tough wins. However, they have now managed four consecutive victories in all competitions and remain undefeated in their last twelve outings. They continue to excel in London derbies, having lost none in the recently concluded 2024.
Unlike other European leagues which take a break during the Christmas and New Year festivities, the Premier League generally ramps up its competition during this period. On Matchday 20 on Saturday, Arsenal travel to Brighton & Hove, while Brentford will look to respond in a match against bottom-placed Southampton. Sunday at 1:30 p.m., the greatest classic in English football will take place: Liverpool, the leaders, against Manchester United.
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The Saudi Super Cup, for its part, will have its fifth edition on Saudi territory, and the menu looks promising. The first clash seems to be an expected final, pitting what appear to be the two best Italian teams at the moment. Atalanta leads Serie A with 41 points, while Inter are third with 40. Napoli are also in the mix with 41, but they are not in Super Cup talks.
Inter, the Serie A title holders, have been victorious in the last three Super Cup encounters and will bring their experience and pedigree against an Atalanta side who have only managed two trophies in their history: the Coppa Italia in 1963 and the Europa League in 2024. “We are facing the strongest team in our league. It is an important test to see if we have progressed,” commented the coach of Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini, whose team qualified for this competition as runners-up in the Coppa Italia, which they lost to Juventus. They had recorded eleven wins in Serie A until their run was ended at 1-1 against Lazio on Saturday.
The second semi-final on Friday pits two teams who disappointed in the first half of their national championship. Milan, Serie A runner-up in the 2023/2024 season, are 14 points behind the leaders, while Juventus, led by Thiago Motta, have lost only one league match this season but have conceded several draws, leaving them in sixth place. Milan’s bench will be a central point of interest: new coach Conceição, who took over from fellow Portuguese Fonseca on Monday following his dismissal just six months after taking charge.
