Arsenal began 2025 with a dominant 3-1 win over Brentford, moving into second place in the Premier League. The first goal was scored by Bryan Mbeumo for Brentford, but Arsenal immediately regained control, equalizing through Gabriel Jesus before the break. After two goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal secured a deserved win, increasing the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.

Match Analysis
The game started at a cautious pace, with Brentford opening the scoring thanks to a quick goal from Mbeumo, following a misplaced pass from Martin Ødegaard. However, Arsenal quickly took the initiative and equalized through Gabriel Jesus. After Thomas Partey struck hard from outside the area, goalkeeper Mark Flekken stopped the ball, but Jesus was there to score the equaliser.
In the second half, Mikel Merino gave Arsenal the lead after a chaotic scramble in the Brentford area, and minutes later, a brilliant pass from 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri gave Martinelli the chance to double the lead.

• Ethan Nwaneri shone on his first Premier League debut, producing a superb performance and assisting Martinelli’s goal. At just 15 years and 181 days, he has shown plenty of maturity and experience, making Arsenal fans love him even more.
• Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo was a constant threat to Arsenal’s defence, demonstrating his physical and technical abilities, while for Arsenal, the absence of Bukayo Saka was keenly felt.
• Mikel Arteta, due to injuries and illnesses, made some changes in the formation, giving opportunities to several other players such as Myles Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori, however the absence of Declan Rice was felt in the midfield.

In Perspective
Arsenal is in excellent form, and with these three points, remains in a close fight for the title with Liverpool. The game shows the vast potential of the squad, despite some absences, and the fact that Arsenal are managing to meet the challenges with success is a positive sign for the future. The fans are excited for further developments, especially for Nwaneri’s performance and the way the team adapted in a tough match.
Arsenal have a challenging period ahead of them, but with this important win, they have every opportunity to keep up the pace and look for more success.