Gabriel Jesus’s stunning equalizer, gave the Gunners power to beat Brentford 3-1 at home. Image: Arsenal shared via Facebook.
(The Post News)– Mikel Arteta’s team was stunned by Bryan Mbeumo’s goal in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus equalised before halftime, but Arsenal refused to be overwhelmed on a windy and rainy evening in west London.
After only scoring once in his first 20 games this season, it was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his past four outings. Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead in the Premier League log to six points. In Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Brentford, Jesus continued his winning ways.
Shortly after halftime, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli scored consecutive goals to put Arsenal ahead of Nottingham Forest in second position. With the exception of their 5-1 thumping of Crystal Palace, the Gunners had struggled through their previous four games, drawing drably against Fulham and Everton before narrowly defeating lowly Ipswich.
Although Liverpool has a game in hand over the north Londoners, Arsenal’s first Premier League match of 2025 showed that they are prepared to contend for the championship. Arsenal, who have finished second to Manchester City the past two seasons, have won four straight games and are undefeated in 12 games across all competitions.
Due to a hamstring injury that kept Bukayo Saka out for several months, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri got his first league start for Arsenal. After scoring Arsenal’s game-winning goal against Ipswich, Kai Havertz was not present, but Jesus made sure the German was not overlooked. After overcoming an early setback, Arsenal maintained their stellar record in capital matches and won all ten of their 2024 league London derbies.
David Raya, the goalkeeper for Arsenal, was returning to Brentford for the first time since 2023.The supporters of the old team made fun of the Spaniard, taking great pleasure in his error of judgement when Brentford took the lead in the 13th minute with their first real attack. Mikkel Damsgaard’s pass was intercepted after Martin Ødegaard gave up control cheaply.
Mbeumo cut inside Riccardo Calafiori, but Raya should have handled the Cameroon forward’s low drive from 20 yards out because of his poor reaction, which let the ball beat him at the near post. When Raya allowed Mbeumo’s shot to elude him and then frantically clawed it away just centimetres before it crossed the line, he almost gave Brentford a second goal.
After that tumultuous time, Arsenal reacted forcefully and tied the score in the 29th minute. Brentford’s keeper Mark Flekken parried a tremendous shot from Thomas Partey’s edge of the area, and Jesus pounced on the rebound with a diving header that looped into the net from six yards out.
After a confrontation with Damsgaard that resulted in no penalty from the authorities, Jesus was left with a bleeding mouth. Five minutes after halftime, Arsenal’s set-piece skills paid off once more with a sucker punch of their own.
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