Brentford 1-3 Arsenal - Match Report - 01/01/2024

The Gunners kicked off the New Year with an impressive 3-0 victory at the GTECH Community Stadium, solidifying their place in the Premier League's top 4. Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's first-half strike early on in the game.

Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the match 13 minutes in with a left footed strike that rolled through the legs of left back Riccardo Calafiori and beyond the dive from David Raya. The goal was provided by Danish attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard, as he intercepted a pass from Martin Odegaard and played an intelligent through ball down the right hand side to create a shock opener for the Bees.

However, Brentford only kept hold of their lead for 15 minutes, conceding to Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus. The 27-year-old capitalised on a save from Mark Flekken, parrying the ball directly into the path of Jesus. Brentford were unable to clear the ball following many blocked shots fired at their defence. The previous goalscorer Bryan Mbeumo took too heavy a touch which resulted in him losing out on the ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who coincidently teed up for shot for Thomas Partey to fire at Flekken, who teed up a header from point-blank range for the Arsenal number 9.

It didn't take long for Arsenal to get off the mark again in the second half, with midfielder Mikel Merino scoring in the 50th minute. It was as inswinging corner delivery from Ethan Nwaneri and Flekken came out to punch the ball away. However, the Brentford Shotstopper spilt it, leading to a game of pinball inside the box. Jesus' effort is blocked in front of the goal, but Merino is there to slot the ball into the back of the net.

And only 3 minutes after the second goal, there came another for Arsenal. Ethan Nwaneri dribbled down the right hand side before playing a cross into the box. Brentford's Nathan Collins got his head on the delivery, but only as far as Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian Winger took one touch before planting a strike that nestles the back of the net.

That concluded the first game in the Premier League in 2025, ending with Arsenal in jubilation and Brentford in dismay. This result kept Arsenal safe in their 2nd place spot, however it saw Brentford slip down to 13th, as Spurs overtake the bees on goal difference.