Arsenal Reclaims Second Place with First Win of 2025
Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with a hard-fought victory in their first Premier League fixture of 2025, cutting the gap to league leaders Liverpool to six points. However, the Reds still have a game in hand.
It was Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford who opened the scoring in dramatic fashion. In the very first attack of the match, Mbeumo received the ball on the right wing, drove into the box, and surprised David Raya with a sharp strike into the near bottom corner in the 13th minute.
Arsenal equalized just over 15 minutes later. After Brentford keeper Mark Flekken parried a long-range effort from Thomas Partey, the home defense failed to clear their lines. Gabriel Jesus capitalized, contorting his body to head the loose ball into the net, making it 1-1.
The game’s decisive moments came early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Arsenal’s set-piece prowess paid off as Mikel Merino pounced on a defensive lapse in Brentford’s box to give the visitors the lead. Just three minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli struck a sublime volley to seal the 3-1 victory.
Arsenal’s unbeaten streak highlights their strong form as they prepare to face Brighton in their next league match. With momentum on their side, the Gunners are keeping pressure on Liverpool in the title race.
2024-25 Premier League Standings
2024-25, England - Premier League
Brentford - Arsenal 1:3 (1:1)
Goals: Mbeumo, 13 (1:0); Gabriel Jesus, 29 (1:1); Merino, 50 (1:2); Martinelli, 53 (1:3)
Brentford: Flekken; van den Berg S. (Kim Ji-Soo, 75); Collins N.; Roerslev; Nørgaard (Jensen Ma., 75); Yarmoliuk; Damsgaard M. (Maghoma E-P., 75); Janelt; Wissa Y. (Schade, 75); Mbeumo; Lewis-Potter
Bench: Valdimarsson H.R,; Meghoma; Arthur; Konak; Yogane
Yellow Cards: Nørgaard 26
Arsenal: Raya; Saliba; Gabriel M.; Timber J.; Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly, 78); Partey T.; Odegaard (Jorginho, 88); Merino (Rice, 78); Nwaneri (Trossard, 78); Gabriel Jesus (Zinchenko, 92); Martinelli
Bench: Neto; Tierney; Kiwior; Kabia
Yellow Cards: Timber J. 17; Calafiori 57
