Arsenal demonstrated their ability to perform without the sidelined Bukayo Saka, beginning the year impressively by bouncing back from an early setback to secure a 3-1 victory against Brentford away, thus regaining second place in the Premier League on January 1.
Saka’s Absence a Challenge for Arsenal
Forward Saka, considered one of Arsenal’s key players this season, will be sidelined for at least two months following hamstring surgery, posing a setback to the club’s championship aspirations.
Brentford Early Goal and Arsenal Response
A trip to Brentford, which has performed well at home this season, seemed crucial for Arsenal, but the match started poorly when Bryan Mbeumo scored in the 13th minute with the home team’s initial attack.
Arsenal stayed calm, and Gabriel Jesus maintained his recent comeback by scoring the equalizer just before halftime.
Dominance in the Second Half
Mikel Arteta’s team started strong in the second half, with Mikel Merino giving them the lead five minutes after play resumed, as Brentford struggled to cope with a corner.
Three minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli executed a precise volleyed shot to secure Arsenal’s dominant position.
Arsenal Position in the Premier League
The win propelled Arsenal past Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, giving them 39 points from 19 matches, while Liverpool remains at the top with 45 points from 18 games. Due to injuries, Brentford’s second home loss this season positioned them in 12th place with 24 points from 19 matches.
Arteta Thoughts and Ethan Nwaneri’s Debut
Losing would have put Arsenal nine points behind Liverpool, who additionally have a game in hand, but their response to falling behind indicates they may still play a role in the title contest.
Arteta is likely to have been pleased with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri after giving him his first start in the Premier League.
“I believe the team demonstrated a great deal of composure by continuing to press and attack them,” said Arteta, whose team has not lost in 11 matches across all competitions.
We can only focus on winning our upcoming match and let the rest unfold. While the outcome isn’t under our control, we must ensure we handle what we can.
Highlights of the Game
Arsenal managed to avoid defeats in London derbies throughout 2024 and have similarly begun the new season.
They were taken by surprise when Brentford launched an attack in the 13th minute, allowing Mbeumo to have ample space to move in from the right and shoot past David Raya.
Raya nearly found himself embarrassed shortly after when he let a shot from Mbeumo slip through his hands, but he quickly sprinted back and retrieved the ball just before it crossed the line.
It marked a crucial moment since under a minute later, Brentford failed to clear the ball, allowing it to reach Thomas Partey, whose shot was deflected by Mark Flekken, enabling Jesus to leap and head in the rebound.
Jesus and Arsenal Set-Piece Effectiveness
The Brazilian scored his sixth goal in just four matches for Arsenal across all competitions, matching his total from the prior 48 games he played for the club.
“I continue to put in effort, and everyone at the club notices my dedication daily, not just mine but everyone’s. I refuse to quit, and it’s challenging to compete for a prestigious club like Arsenal,” Jesus stated.
Arsenal’s effectiveness at set-pieces was on display once more at the start of the second half when a corner created disorder in the box, allowing Merino to capitalize and score from a loose ball.
Martinelli provided the guests with some breathing room by executing a brilliant finish when the ball reached him at the perimeter of the box.
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