Arsenal reaffirms its status as the primary challenger to Liverpool for the title with a convincing performance at Brentford. At the Gtech Stadium, where only Nottingham Forest had previously managed to win, the Gunners overturned an early deficit to secure a 3-1 victory, staying six points behind the league leaders. The gap could widen, as Liverpool still has a game in hand against Everton, but Mikel Arteta’s side has shown the determination and quality needed to remain in the hunt and capitalize on any missteps by the Reds.
Since their Champions League loss to Inter on November 6, Arsenal has hit their stride, winning nine of their last 12 matches, including this London derby against Brentford. Despite a shaky start, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring for the hosts, Arsenal seized control of the game. Gabriel Jesus equalized before the half-hour mark, continuing his fine form with his sixth goal in four games.
In the second half, young talent Ethan Nwaneri took center stage, filling in for Bukayo Saka on the right wing. At just 17 years old, the midfielder displayed remarkable maturity, playing a pivotal role in both goals that sealed the comeback. The same stadium where he debuted in the Premier League in 2022 now saw him start for the first time, a decision rewarded by Arteta with a performance that signals his bright future.
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Riccardo Calafiori, on the other hand, had a less impressive outing. Starting for the first time in a month, the Italian full-back struggled, bearing some responsibility for Brentford’s goal. He clearly needs more game time to regain his rhythm and understanding with the team. Arsenal, however, will have ample opportunities to test their squad depth, with a packed January schedule featuring nine matches in 29 days.
