Arsenal became just the second team to beat Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in the 2024/25 Premier League season so far as they started 2025 with a 1-3 win in West London.
The team sheet for the Gunners brought multiple changes from the 1-0 home victory over Ipswich. Riccardo Calafiori returned to the XI at left-back in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino both came into the midfield, and Ethan Nwaneri started a Premier League game for the first time, taking a place on the right wing of Arsenal’s attack.
Despite dominating possession in the early stages, it would be the home side that would draw first blood in the contest. A poor pass in the middle from Martin Odegaard was pounced on by Brentford who released Bryan Mbuemo, and the Bees forward beat David Raya at his near post to give his team the lead with their first meaningful attack of the opening stages.
Arsenal’s response to going behind initially wasn’t great, and it nearly went to 2-0 after a shot was squirmed by Raya, however the Spanish stopper managed to claw the ball off the line just as it looked like it would turn out to be a howler. However, less than a minute after the mistake, Arsenal would find a crucial equaliser when a long-distance strike from Partey was parried by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Gabriel Jesus reacted quickest to poke a header into the net and level the game. A crucial goal for Mikel Arteta’s side who needed to get back into the game before the break.
And following that break, the Gunners came flying out the blocks. Just five minutes into the second half, Arsenal would take the lead over their West London opponents as they would score yet another goal from a corner. The delivery was put into the box by Nwaneri and after a scramble in the area, Merino was on hand just yards away from the line to put Arsenal ahead early on in the second period.
But it would very quickly get even better for Arsenal as only three minutes following Merno’s strike the lead would be extended to 1-3. The goal coming from another Nwaneri cross which wasn’t dealt with by the Brentford defence, the loose ball fell to Gabriel Martinelli who volleyed the ball superbly into the far corner to put Arsenal firmly in command.
The rest of the second half was controlled and managed brilliantly by Arsenal who managed to keep Raya with little to do and the referee eventually blew for full-time to confirm an impressive away London derby victory for Arsenal.
Another tough away test awaits Mikel Arteta’s side, with a trip to Brighton next up.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 6
Jurrien Timber: 7
William Saliba: 7
Gabriel: 7
Riccardo Calafiori: 6
Thomas Partey: 8
Mikel Merino: 7
Martin Odegaard: 6
Ethan Nwaneri: 7
Gabriel Jesus: 7
Gabriel Martinelli: 7