Brentford 1-3 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Jesus, Merino and Martinelli complete stunning turnaround for Gunners – updates
ARSENAL kicked off their 2025 with a stunning fightback over Brentford to win 3-1.
Bryan Mbeumo gave Brentford an early lead after before Gabriel Jesus continued his fine record form with the equaliser.
Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino scored quickfire goals in the second half to see the Gunners leap up to second.
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Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
33. Having seen the replay, Raya did enough to claw the ball back before it crossed the line.
That said, the initial shot was straight at him and went through his hands.
Always question marks over the Spaniard.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
31. Just before the Arsenal goal Raya made a goal save to keep them in this game.
He had to get back from the initial save to claw it off the line.
The referee checked his watch and decided that the keeper reacted quickly enough to prevent the goal.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
29. A shot from the edge of the box is saved by Flekken.
You have to question the keeper as he parries it back into the danger area.
Jesus reacts quickest to head home with the keeper still on the floor.
Goal - Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
27. Arsenal try a training ground set piece.
It is clipped over the top for Partey but he cannot get it past Flekken.
The flag eventually goes up with midfielder having been offside when he received it.
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
25. The Gunneers are trying to force passes and giving possession away all too often.
Odegaard tries to thread a ball through to Jesus but he cannot get on the end of it.
The referee pulls it back for a late challenge on the Norwegian and shows Norgaard a yellow card for his troubles.
Credit: PA Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
23. Frank's side are probing the Arsenal defence.
They look dangerous with The Gunners not coping with the movement from the hosts.
You feel the next goal will be pivotal in the outcome of this match.
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
21. It has been a great start from Brentford.
They have absorbed the Arsenal attacks and looked threatening when coming forward.
Arteta's side are getting frustrated and committing fouls trying to win the ball back.
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
19. The hosts are happy to pass the ball around now.
With a lead to defend, they know it is up to the visitors to chase this game.
Gabriel is penalised for a foul on the halfway line but the official keeps his cards in his pocket on this occasion.
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
17. Timber lunges in on a challenge and free kick is given.
The referee brandishes a yellow card to Arsenal defender.
That means he will miss the next game after amassing five yellow cards this season.
Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
15. All the pressure is now on Arteta's side.
They need to find a way back into this game sooner rather than later.
Throwing more bodies forward will leave them open to the Brentford counter-attacks with Mbuemo and Wissa.
Credit: PA Brentford 1-0 Arsenal
13. The Bees strike first in West London.
Damsgaard does well to win the ball back and spread it out wide to Mbuemo.
He cuts inside onto his left foot and drills it into the bottom corner of the goal, through Calafiori's legs.
Questions will be asked of Raya getting beat at his near post like that.
Goal - Bryan Mbuemo (Brentford)
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
11. The Gunners have had a whopping 83% possession so far.
Not that it will both Thomas Frank, that is not his side's game, they like to play more direct.
As things stand, Brentford are dealing with the crosses from wide positions from the visitors.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
9. Odegaard tries his luck from distance.
His effort sails high over the goal, poor attempt from the Norwegian.
It is a scrappy game in the middle of the park as both sides look to find their groove.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
7. Wissa is penalised for a foul in the visitors' half.
Arsenal like to milk a challenge, with their players doing more rolling during a game than most bakers.
It makes you wonder why referees keep buying these antics in the modern game.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
5. This could be an open game this evening.
Arsenal are trying to patiently build attacks but are missing the attacking threat of Havertz and Saka.
With Jesus roaming around the pitch as he often does, they have no one in the box to attack crosses.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
3. The visitors have dominated the opening stages.
Brentford come on their first attack with Lewis-Potter down the left.
He swings a cross into the box looking for Mbuemo but Raya dives to cut out the cross well.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
1. Goals have not been a problem for The Bees at home this season.
All of their games have been high-scoring encounters.
The Gunners have been flowing up top of late, surely there is no chance of a goalless draw this evening?
Kick-off: Brentford vs Arsenal
We are underway at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The first Premier League game of 2025 is a London derby.
Brentford get the game started.
Bees needing to stop the rot
Brentford's season has been kept afloat by their home form.
Away form has been an issue for Thomas Frank's side.
They now find themselves in twelfth place in the Premier League, victory this evening would move them up to tenth, in touching distance of the European qualification places.
Youngster with point to prove
Ethan Nwaneri starts for The Gunners this evening, the last time he did he was hooked early on in the game by Arteta.
That will have dented his confidence but he has the opportunity to show the Spaniard what he has to offer.
It will be tough against Brentford and will certainly test Nwaneri to prove he is ready for regular senior action.
Credit: Getty Arteta's men fancied for win
The bookies cannot see past an Arsenal win in this London derby this evening.
Brentford - 19/4
Draw - 7/2
Arsenal - 1/2
All match odds brought to you by .
Must win game for Gunners
Having had a blip in their season when Odegaard was out, Arsenal can now ill-afford to drop anymore points if they want to challenge Liverpool for the title.
Aside from a recent defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium, The Bees have one of the best home records in the Premier League this season.
The Gunners know that nothing but victory puts their dreams of a title challenge closer to disappearing altogether.
How long is Saka out for?
Bukayo Saka could be out until March after having to undergo surgery on his torn hamstring.
The stricken winger shared a photo to his page showing him in a hospital bed with his right thumb up last week.
Saka captioned the post: "The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities.
"Recovery has begun and I’m coming back stronger! Thank you all for your messages #Godsplan."
Credit: Instagram / bukayosaka87
