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Arsenal opened 2025 with an impressive 3-1 comeback victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, climbing back to second place in the Premier League, Soccernet.football reports.
The win brought Mikel Arteta’s side within six points of league leaders Liverpool, who still hold a game in hand.
Bryan Mbeumo fired Brentford into an early lead after 13 minutes, capitalising on an intercepted pass from Martin Ødegaard. Mbeumo skillfully cut inside before drilling a shot past David Raya, marking his 11th goal of the season.
Moments later, Raya narrowly avoided disaster, fumbling Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot before clawing it off the line.
Arsenal, however, found their rhythm and equalised just before the half-hour mark.
Brentford’s inability to clear their lines allowed Thomas Partey to unleash a shot from distance. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken parried the effort, but Gabriel Jesus reacted quickest, heading home his sixth goal in four matches.
The Gunners came out firing after the break, scoring twice in three minutes to secure the victory.
Mikel Merino tapped in from close range in the 50th minute after Flekken failed to handle Ethan Nwaneri’s corner. Shortly after, Nwaneri delivered another crucial contribution, setting up Gabriel Martinelli’s decisive third goal with a perfectly placed cross.
The 17-year-old Nwaneri, handed his first Premier League start in place of the injured Bukayo Saka, displayed maturity beyond his years.
His creative play was a bright spot in an Arsenal side missing their talismanic winger, sidelined until March following hamstring surgery.
With this result, Arsenal leapfrogged Nottingham Forest into second place and positioned themselves to keep pace with Liverpool. Brentford, who had won seven of their first nine home games, remain in 12th place.
Arteta’s men now face Brighton on Saturday, with an opportunity to further reduce Liverpool’s lead before the Reds host Manchester United at Anfield.
