Arsenal have averted an alarming stat stretching to a tenth sport as they started 2025 within the excellent method.
Mikel Arteta’s facet picked up a giant three factors as they overcame Brentford 3-1 on the Gtech Group Stadium on New Yr’s Day.
It was Brentford who stole a shock lead within the thirteenth minute as Bryan Mbeumo scored his ninth purpose at dwelling within the Premier League this season.
With the Bees forward, it left the Gunners with an uphill battle to work their method again into the competition.
Historical past was not on Arsenal’s facet both, as that they had didn’t win their final 9 away league video games every time the opposition had scored first.
Thankully for Arteta’s facet, that worrying run didn’t prolong to a tenth sport.
Gabriel Jesus netted the equaliser for the Gunners within the twenty ninth minute to spark jubilant scenes within the away finish.
The Brazilian was on his toes to nod dwelling the rebound after Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made a formidable cease to disclaim Thomas Partey from vary.
Jesus’ purpose was his sixth in his final 4 video games for the Gunners throughout all competitions.
The tally matched Jesus’ haul from his earlier 48 video games for the membership, emphasising the spectacular kind he is loved of late.
Arsenal then ripped the competition away from Brentford with two strikes within the house of three minutes early within the second half.
Mikel Merino discovered himself in the proper place on the proper time as Brentford didn’t clear their traces from a cross, smashing dwelling from shut vary after the ball pin-balled round contained in the hosts’ 18-yard field.
Gabriel Martinelli added Arsenal’s third within the 53rd minute when Brentford as soon as once more couldn’t cope with a cross.
The Bees defended Ethan Nwaneri’s whipped ball into the field nevertheless it landed straight at Martinelli, who managed the ball earlier than unleashing an unstoppable volley.
Martinelli’s strike was his third in his final three away begins for Arsenal and helped to present Arteta’s facet some wanted respiratory house in opposition to Brentford.
Arsenal’s third purpose sucked the life out of the Brentford followers and the group, who merely couldn’t deal with the guests altering gears.
The win lifted Arsenal again as much as second within the Premier League desk, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest within the course of.
Nevertheless, they continue to be six factors behind league leaders Liverpool, who even have a sport in hand over the Gunners.
As for Brentford, the loss prolonged their winless run to a fifth match and was their second-consecutive defeat at dwelling having beforehand been unbeaten all season lengthy.
Regardless of the defeat, the Bees stay twelfth on 24 factors.
Thomas Frank’s facet have a golden probability to snap their winless run once they journey to last-placed Southampton on January 4.
Arsenal are additionally in motion on the identical day as they make the journey down south to Brighton, who’re within the midst of a run of seven video games and not using a win.
Gabriel Jesus’ final six video games for Arsenal
December 11 vs AS Monaco (Champions League): Help
December 14 vs Everton (Premier League): N/A
December 18 vs Crystal Palace (Carabao Cup): Three objectives
December 21 vs Crystal Palace (Premier League): Two objectives
December 27 vs Ipswich City (Premier League): N/A
January 1 vs Brentford (Premier League): Purpose
Complete: Six video games, six objectives, one help