Arsenal hold their nerve against Brentford, which bodes well for a title race
Maybe we were a ball’s width away from the Premier League title race being over. Instead we have hope that Arsenal can sustain the contest.
After falling behind early on against Brentford, normally so formidable at home, there was the prospect of them trailing Liverpool by 12 points – if they win their game in hand – and even at this midway stage of the season that feels like too much. Double-digit advantages are rarely surrendered.
But without the injured Bukayo Saka and the ill Kai Havertz – their two top scorers – and with Declan Rice not fully fit, Mikel Arteta’s side staged an impressive comeback to lift themselves up into second place. The lead is six points with that added game to play, but we can still hope it will not turn into a procession for Liverpool.
Arteta later confirmed that a “bug” had spread through the squad, affecting preparations. “These things happen,” the Arsenal manager said. “In this period there is always things – throat, infection, viruses – I tried to delay the line-up as long as possible. With Kai it was obvious. He had very clear symptoms.”
It added to the sense that this was one of Arsenal’s most significant wins of the campaign so far. Arteta will have been delighted as to how he juggled his ailing resources. They never buckled. They never allowed the pressure to get to them. They kept playing and, long before the end, had strangled the life out of Brentford with their unrelenting control.
It is now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions. Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach, hailed them as “one of the two best teams in the country right now” and predicted the title battle would “go right to the end”.
But so strong and convincing have Liverpool been that it already feels like Arsenal are walking a tightrope. They have to keep winning to hold on to those red coat-tails.
“We had to manage the situation emotionally,” Arteta explained. “We can only win our next match and see what happens. It’s not in our hands, but what is in our hands we need to make sure we do it.”
The dynamic for Arsenal has also shifted. Instead of being the hunted, as they were in the past two seasons as Manchester City successfully chased them down, they are the hunter. Will it suit them better? Time will tell, but they held their nerve on this occasion.
Maybe it will come down to fine margins, as it has for those past two challenges. Just, in fact, as this game probably did in what turned out to be a pivotal 55 seconds in the first half. With Brentford leading, after Bryan Mbeumo’s fine strike and Riccardo Calafiori’s questionable defending, David Raya fumbled a shot from Keane Lewis-Potter. As the ball ran goalwards he managed to recover to dive and palm it away just before it crossed the line.
Technology later showed the ball was slap bang on the goal-line as the Arsenal – and former Brentford – goalkeeper intervened. “Hopefully the watch doesn’t vibrate,” Arteta said when asked about his thoughts on the incident, and referring to how the referees are informed that the ball is over the line.
And so almost immediately Arsenal went down the other end, where Gabriel Jesus stooped to head home after Mark Flekken had parried Thomas Partey’s shot following a mistake by Mbeumo on the edge of his own penalty area.
For Jesus it was a poacher’s finish. Amid the debate over whether Arsenal need a centre-forward there have simply not been enough of them from him. But it was also his sixth goal in four games, which is all the more remarkable given he had scored just once in his previous 33 appearances. Jesus’ resurgence, especially without Saka, has been timely and the question is, can he now sustain it?
There was a hugely promising first Premier League start for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who was charged with filling Saka’s right-wing role at the stadium where he made his Arsenal debut aged just 15 in September 2022. He was a constant threat in possession and was heavily involved in the third goal with Brentford unable to clear his cross.
Jesus also provoked the anger of the Brentford fans and there is that gamesmanship/game-management devilment to Arsenal. Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes certainly know how to make the most of challenges against them, buying time, breaking up play, and maybe that, too, is something that will help sustain them.
Then in three minutes after half-time Mikel Merino poked in from a corner – “Set-piece again ole, ole,” sang the Arsenal fans – and Gabriel Martinelli fired past Flekken to suddenly put the game beyond Brentford. Merino was bought to help carry that close-range goal threat and physicality while, like Jesus, Martinelli needs to score more goals.
Unfortunately for Brentford, Flekken had flapped at the set-piece and, while Frank had described Arsenal as “world class” with their delivery, they did not quite have to be that. He will have been disappointed with his goalkeeper and defenders who would have been fully aware of the danger. They only conceded three corners. But it was enough.
“You’re gonna win f--- all,” chanted the Brentford fans, who will have been disappointed at how their team fell away after competing so well. Arsenal did that. They are also giving themselves a chance, moving above Nottingham Forest as they chase Liverpool.
08:10 PM GMT
Arteta on the January window
At the moment it is looking after the players and get the best out of them. At the moment our focus is our players.
I really like my players and I believe in what we have as there’s a lot of quality and commitment.
08:00 PM GMT
Arteta full of praise for Nwaneri
We won in a really difficult stadium against a really good opponent. When you go one down it makes it harder but the team showed a lot of composure and desire to change the game.
We have to navigate through some difficult moments. We started really fast and aggressive and again adapting.
We had many different situations with injuries, sickness and Ethan Nwaneri making a debut in the Premier League at 17. He was really good and he has been showing that in training. If he was a signing from another country he would be playing so he deserved it.
07:52 PM GMT
Thomas Frank feels the game was about moments
I think we did a lot of things right, I think overall it was a good performance. I really liked the first half, thought we were really brave on the ball to play out from the pressure in the first phase. I think we were really brave in the high press. But it was fine margins.
I think today we played a top team and you cannot expect to just beat Arsenal, but we did very well and that’s the performance.
Nottingham Forest was bit different I would have loved to have more from that game.
07:46 PM GMT
Martinelli on trying to replace Saka
No one can replace him, he’s one of the best players in the world. We know our potential, we know the team we can have, we trust in ourselves and we are going to try our best for the club and for B as well. I’m sure he’s happy with the result.
07:39 PM GMT
Jesus speaking post-match
I think the team did great today.
To come here and play the way we played is amazing. Of course, the most important thing is the three points and we did it, but then the most important thing was how we reacted and we did it.
I keep working and everyone at the club can tell how I work every day, not just me but everyone. I don’t give up and it is not easy to play for a big club like Arsenal.
Now I can score and I am very happy - I want to keep scoring to help the team.
07:38 PM GMT
The one blemish for Arsenal today...
Was the booking shown to Jurrien Timber which means he is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Brighton. That will surely mean Partey at right-back and Rice into midfield. That could be challenging against one of Mitoma or Adingra on Brighton’s left.
07:27 PM GMT
FT: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal go second and within six points of leaders Liverpool.
In the food chain of the Premier League, Arsenal are supposed to prey on Brentford but this might actually be one of their best league wins of the season.
They fell behind to Mbuemo’s early strike, and started the game without Rice, Havertz and of course Saka.
A feature of Arsenal’s play was how many second balls they won in and around the Brentford penalty area, with Jesus, Merino and Martinelli’s goals all rebounds or second attempts.
Brentford were menacing in the first half but short of answers once Arsenal adjusted later in the game. Just one win in six for Brentford now.
07:24 PM GMT
93 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Brentford fail to get a shot off from 25 yards and Partey gets his foot in to allow Arsenal to break upfield through Trossard and Rice. That should be that now, with only a minute to go.
07:22 PM GMT
92 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
One of Brentford’s better moments of the half as Jensen floats in a cross towards Collins but he was always stretching and could not make contact when unmarked. Jesus is the player coming off for Zinchenko.
07:21 PM GMT
90 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Excellent defending from Lewis-Skelly to get a foot in after Schade was found with a searching diagonal pass. Brentford’s cross from their right was then too heavy to find one of the forwards.
There will be four minutes of added time to play. Zinchenko is about to be brought on by Arteta to eat up more time.
07:18 PM GMT
88 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
The home crowd are frustrated after Timber shepherds the ball towards his own corner flag and wins a foul from Lewis-Potter. Arsenal have shut this game down in the last 20 minutes. Jorginho is about to come on. Jesus’ shirt is ripped after a wrestle with Collins. Odegaard is the player making way for Jorginho.
07:15 PM GMT
85 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal do not many away games after conceding the first goal so this would be a very satisfying victory. Martinelli ends up down a blind alley on the right and tamely kicked the ball to Flekken. He was trying to win a corner.
07:13 PM GMT
82 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Jensen is going to launch throw into the box, and the ball ran all the way across Arsenal’s six-yard box. Mbuemo could not quite get round Lewis-Skelly and Raya gathered. Only takes a moment like that to set up an early finish.
07:10 PM GMT
80 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Brentford moving the ball around in their own half, but it is all in front of Arsenal. The home crowd want them to play forward quicker. Schade does well to make a nuisance of himself against Saliba, before Gabriel buys a foul to further break up the game.
07:08 PM GMT
77 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal have narrowed their wide players when Brentford have the ball to deal with what has been a midfield diamond at times from the home team. It has tightened things up successfully.
Arsenal’s turn to make changes: Calafiori, Merino and Nwaneri off, Lewis-Skelly, Rice and Trossard on.
Overall an impressive performance by Nwaneri on the right wing. He produced some fabulous touches. He didn’t have the same impact that Saka would have but who would? He looked better there than Martinelli did against Ipswich.
07:06 PM GMT
75 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Brentford have a corner after Gabriel stretches to defend a cross. Brentford are making their four subs: Kim, Schade, Meghoma and Jensen the players on. Mbuemo’s inswinging corner was too loopy and Raya claimed between bodies.
07:04 PM GMT
73 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal’s turn to play keepball, with Timber, Nwaneri and Odegaard all grouped near the right corner of the box. The home crowd are quiet now. Odegaard tries a couple of backheels and flicks but they do not quite come off.
07:02 PM GMT
71 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Thomas Frank is about to make the lesser spotted quadruple substitituon. If Brentford mount a comeback from here it will look a masterstroke. Perhaps he has an eye on the weekend’s game at Southampton. Raya claims a cross after Arsenal absorb some Brentford possession.
07:00 PM GMT
68 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Having mentioned Nwaneri, the 17-year-old has quietly had a really effective game. No Arsenal player can reproduce Saka’s goals and assists from that right wing position, but Nwaneri has replicated the technical security he offers in possession. Arsenal looking comfortable for now, they are dropping into a solid defensive shape.
06:58 PM GMT
66 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal defend another Brentford set-piece well after Nwaneri fouled the effervescent Lewis-Potter. Timber and Califiori cannot really engage aggressively on bookings, so Arsenal are not pressuring crosses which is a risk.
Nwaneri with a delicious nutmeg but then there is a rare sign of callowness as he holds on to the ball for too long.
06:54 PM GMT
62 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Brentford win a corner, they are still playing with real pluck and pushing bodies forward when they get the chance. Arsenal have been easier to play through than usual at times, but have maybe gained something going forward.
Clever moment from Wissa to make space from the corner but he sliced his volley, and then Flekken had to rush out of his area to head out for a throw. Martinelli was through otherwise after another bit of long distribution from Raya.
06:51 PM GMT
60 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Raya sets Martinelli away with a superb long kick, and the Brazilian set up his compatriot Jesus but he poked beyond the near post as the angle narrowed. Still no changes from either manager. Jesus is then flagged offside when Arsenal were in another promising position.
06:48 PM GMT
58 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Both Arsenal full-backs on yellows now after Calafiori pulled back Damsgaard around halfway. That is something to keep an eye on. Arteta does have Zinchenko, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly and Kiwior as options from left-back.
06:47 PM GMT
Merino’s aerial presence
You wouldn’t say that Mikel Merino has lit up Arsenal’s midfield since his arrival this summer but there’s no doubt that he’s added another attacking threat from set pieces. He scored from a free-kick against Liverpool, too.
06:47 PM GMT
56 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 3
Brentford’s home games this season have been helter-skelter this season and Arsenal’s only danger from here is that they get sucked into that type of contest. Arteta will want them to draw the life out of the game.
06:45 PM GMT
GOOOAALL! Martinelli adds Arsenal’s third
Brentford buckle under the pressure and they want a foul for a Jesus push on Collins. Nwaneri’s cross was half-cleared but only straight to Martinelli who cushioned the ball and volleyed past Flekken.
There was VAR check for the push but goal stands.
Arsenal should be able to control this game from here.
There's no stopping that 🎯
Arsenal come out flying in the second half and score two goals in just three minutes ⏰
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IAAvcjcLzw— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 1, 2025
06:43 PM GMT
53 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 2
Arsenal extremely dominant now. Brentford need to hang in there under waves of pressure.
06:41 PM GMT
GOOOAALL! Merino forces it in after a scramble
Arsenal strike again from a corner, not that this was one of their cleaner routines. Brentford punished for failing to clear their lines. Flekken flapped with Saliba standing his ground, the ball dropped for Jesus to shoot but his shot was blocked, and there was Merino to sweep home. Two rebounds have done the job for Arsenal.
06:40 PM GMT
49 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Nwaneri neat and tidy on the ball again, so composed in tight spaces. Calafiori and Martinelli combine down the left and a blocked cross wins them a corner. No Rice on the pitch to take the inswinger though. Martinelli took it, and the ball was flicked behind for another corner. Flekken looked a little uncertain under it.
06:37 PM GMT
47 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Gabriel is down after Mbuemo claws at the back of his head in an aerial challenge. Merino’s touch is loose and Brentford have a goal kick. Arsenal were in a very similar position to this at Fulham in December and had a late goal ruled out by VAR for offside. They need a marginal moment like that to fall in their favour here.
06:35 PM GMT
We are back under way!
Arsenal get the second half started.
06:35 PM GMT
The players are back out for the second half
No changes from Frank or Arteta. Trossard is Arsenal’s only serious attacking option on the bench.
06:30 PM GMT
Brentford the early goal specialists
8 - For the eighth time this season, Brentford have scored with their first shot of a Premier League match (excl. own goals) - the most any side has done so this term. Alert. pic.twitter.com/Bqw9U0Pb2U
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 1, 2025
06:22 PM GMT
Sam’s HT verdict
Arsenal are the better team here but they are also vulnerable. Wissa and Mbeumo are such a threat, especially at home, and Brentford are attacking with numbers when they get the chance to free themselves of their deep block.
The good news for Arsenal is that Nwaneri has looked good on the right flank, in the Saka role. He has produced some lovely moments on the ball. We’re in for a fun second half, I reckon.
06:21 PM GMT
HT: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Hard to call a winner from here. The early stages suggested this would be an attack vs defence session, but despite some strong periods of Arsenal pressure Brentford have found ways to threaten and keep the ball themselves. The hinge moment was Raya clawing the ball off the line after his initial error at 1-0. Arsenal are doing a great job winning loose balls him up the pitch but they look porous in moments. Declan Rice could change that.
06:19 PM GMT
45+4 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal finishing the half with a relentless spell of possession in the Brentford half but the home defence are standing firm. Flekken claims Nwaneri’s cross.
06:16 PM GMT
45 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
There are four minutes of added time to play. Time for another goal in what has been an open game.
06:14 PM GMT
43 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Calafiori continues to look a little rusty but Arsenal are back on the ball in the Brentford half. Jesus has gone down holding his face after a brush with Damsgaard, and the Arsenal man has a split lip. Was a flailing arm rather than an elbow. The Wissa drags Gabriel to the ground and Arsenal have a free-kick.
06:14 PM GMT
43 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Calafiori continues to look a little rusty but Arsenal are back on the ball in the Brentford half. Jesus has gone down holding his face after a brush with Damsgaard, and the Arsenal man has a split lip. Was a flailing arm rather than an elbow. The Wissa drags Gabriel to the ground and Arsenal have a free-kick.
06:12 PM GMT
41 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Mbuemo wins Brentford a free-kick in their own half to stem the Arsenal pressure. Much better from Brentford in possession to build play down their left, with Lewis-Potter delivering another cross, and then Roerslev wins a corner off Merino. Arsenal a little vulnerable in the full-back areas with Timber on a yellow and Calafiori making his first start for more than a month. The Italian heads the corner clear.
06:08 PM GMT
Odegaard Arteta’s eyes and ears
As soon as Jesus converted that header, Odegaard and Timber ran straight to Arteta on the touchline. They didn’t join the celebrations by the corner flag, instead focusing entirely on talking tactics with the manager. It seemed like Odegaard was instigating it, more than Arteta. He must have seen something out there that needs fixing.
06:08 PM GMT
37 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Brentford have a corner which Mbuemo tries to whip to the near post but Arsenal defend. The away side then do ever so well to play through Brentford’s press and Calafiori’s cross is beaten away by Flekken. Arsenal carrying more of a threat now when they come forward.
06:05 PM GMT
35 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal trying to restore order, retaining the ball in the final third. Partey with another shot blocked. The Arsenal midfielder is hoovering so many loose balls up at the edge of Brentford’s box. The home team look most vulnerable when they try to play out from deep against Arsenal’s counter-press.
06:04 PM GMT
33 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Odegaard’s radar has been a little off, he overhits a scoop towards Timber.
This is how close Brentford came to a second goal:
06:02 PM GMT
31 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal will be relieved to be level because they were teetering a little after their dominant start was punctured by Mbuemo’s goal. You can see why Brentford’s home games have produced so many goals.
06:00 PM GMT
GOOOAALLL! Jesus levels for Arsenal
Moments before this goal, Raya let a shot slip through his hands but recovered to claw the ball off the goal-line. From almost 2-0 to 1-1 within 55 seconds.
The game got stretched and Arsenal started to apply some pressure. Partey’s shot from 25 yards was pushed out by Flekken and Jesus was Johnny on the spot to head home from six yards.
Gabriel Jesus' goalscoring form continues as Arsenal level the game up ⚽
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/TcibEmcSR8— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 1, 2025
05:58 PM GMT
Arsenal going longer
A noticeable aspect of this game so far is that David Raya has tried to play an unusually high amount of long passes from the back. Arsenal usually build up through the thirds but they are trying to hit it much earlier today. It hasn’t worked so far.
05:57 PM GMT
27 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal’s best piece of play for around 10 minutes with Nwaneri carrying the ball, attracting Brentford players and poking the ball through to Odegaard. He was caught late by Brentford skipper Norgaard who is booked. Arsenal free-kick but a long way out, even for a cross.
Odgegaard’s deliver was superb, but Partey was offside. The midfielder probably should have scored though after bringing the ball down.
05:54 PM GMT
24 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
Brentford keeping the ball well now, Arsenal have rather gone into their shells. If there is some illness in the camp it could be that energy levels wane. Lewis-Potter’s inswinging cross from the left was a beauty and it required an excellent header from Calafiori to prevent Brentford adding a second.
05:53 PM GMT
22 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
Brentford’s press has been more effective in the last few minutes, forcing Arsenal to kick long which is not an attractive option without Havertz or Rice in the side. This has been one of Brentford’s stronger periods, they are starting to look comfortable.
05:50 PM GMT
21 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
Flekken is yet to make a save despite all of Arsenal’s territorial control. Mbuemo has now been fouled by Gabriel on halfway. The crowd want a yellow card but the referee keeps his cards in his pocket. The free-kick is taken long but headed behind for an Arsenal goal kick.
05:48 PM GMT
18 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal back to having so much of the ball around the edge of the Brentford box but Jesus decides against shooting and Martinelli’s shot is closed down. Then Timber dives into a challenge with force and is booked, which means he is suspended for the trip to Brighton. Arsenal will no go the Amex with no specialist right-back.
05:46 PM GMT
A goal from nothing
Bryan Mbeumo is one of the best players outside of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ and that was another demonstration of his quality in the final third. From the moment he received the ball to feet, you could sense that Arsenal were in trouble. The home crowd knew it, too.
Arsenal had been in complete control until that moment but that’s how Brentford want this game to go. They want to spring forward into space, just like that.
05:45 PM GMT
15 minutes: Brentford 1 Arsenal 0
A serious test of Arsenal’s questionable firepower now. Brentford’s gameplan from here will be obvious: sit deep, absorb pressure and look to break at speed.
05:44 PM GMT
GOOOAALLL! Mbuemo fires Brentford into the lead
Shades of Arsenal’s game at Fulham last month: the home team have scored with their first shot of the game. Odegaard gave away a square pass in midfield and Brentford broke to the right to Mbuemo. He cut inside Calafiori and dragged his shot back to the near post and beyond Raya. How many times does a shot through legs go in?
Bryan Mbeumo stuns Arsenal with a brilliant near post finish to beat David Raya 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/W8dbahKcJi— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 1, 2025
05:42 PM GMT
12 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal have had more than 80 per cent possession so far, so it looks like the pattern of the game is set. Partey did well to get Arsenal moving forward, but their crossing from wide has not been accurate so far.
05:40 PM GMT
10 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal have their first corner of the game after a long spell of possession in the final third. Nwaneri showing some variety by driving on the outside, but his cross was charged down. The delivery was to the back post but no Arsenal player was there when it was headed back across. Odegaard slices over with a wild shot from distance.
05:38 PM GMT
8 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
Foul by Wissa on Partey in central midfield. Odgeaard clips the ball into the box towards Martinelli who wins the knockdown but it will not fall for a blue Arsenal shirt. The home team are looking a little penned in, bar that dangerous move from Flekken’s goal kick.
05:36 PM GMT
6 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
Martinelli has taken a couple of kicks in the early exchanges. Arsenal have responded well to that Brentford attack, probing around the home team’s penalty area. Brentford are bringing back every outfield player when they were defending deep. Roerslev forces Martinelli wide and he runs the ball out for a goal kick.
05:34 PM GMT
4 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
Flekken elects to go long from his first goal kick and Wissa won the flick on. Lewis-Potter was on the end of it down the left and he fed a really dangerous ball across the Arsenal box. Raya did ever so well to read it and claim with Mbuemo lurking. Saliba beaten in the air on the first ball.
05:33 PM GMT
2 minutes: Brentford 0 Arsenal 0
As anticipated, Nwaneri is on Arsenal’s right flank. It looks like Lewis-Potter is up against him as a left-back for Brentford. Within the first minute, the away team have established possession in the Brentford half and are stroking the ball around. Most of it is in front of Brentford but Jesus is looking lively drifting right. The Arsenal striker is winded after a dig in the ribs but he will be fine to continue.
05:30 PM GMT
KICK OFF!
Brentford get the contest under way after the volume is turned down on Hey Jude.
05:28 PM GMT
The players are out of the tunnel
Full house at the Gtech, a ground which has seen so many goals this season. That is not always the case when Arsenal are involved with their league-leading defensive record.
05:26 PM GMT
Will Nwaneri try to replicate Saka or do something different?
Mikel Arteta has made it clear in recent weeks that he will not ask any of his forward players to imitate Bukayo Saka. There is only one Saka, after all. So it will be interesting to see how Nwaneri treats that position on the right wing. Will he drift inside more than Saka would? Will he swap with Gabriel Jesus at times? Let’s find out.
05:17 PM GMT
Arteta’s pre-match thoughts: Havertz out with illness
Kai [Havertz] was not feeling good, a few players have been like that. Declan [Rice] came off the other day, it is the second time he has had a niggle and we have nine games this month so we have to be careful, especially with the size of the squad we have.
[On what Nwaneri needs to show] First of all you have to compete really well at this level, and then play. Play with that energy and that flow.
We have seen a massive impact from Gabi [Jesus] in the last few games, he has been really sharp and at it.
They have a manager who squeezes everything from every individual and the team. We know it is going to be really tough.
05:08 PM GMT
Frank on his selections and having goalkeeper Mark Flekken back
Very good work from the medical guys to turn Mark around in a quick turnaround.
A little bit tactical. Kevin [Schade] has been excellent for us and I still want to be very attacking.
Against Arsenal we need more running power in midfield.
05:06 PM GMT
Are Arsenal’s training tops intentionally Union Flag-inspired?
05:00 PM GMT
A curious quirk
Nwaneri makes his full Premier League debut at the venue where he made his first senior Arsenal appearance aged just 15 in 2022. That was a transparent attempt to persuade Nwaneri to stay amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. He is one of the brightest talents in the country but tonight he is deputising for one of the best players in the country in Saka.
04:56 PM GMT
What does your team need in January?
This is our comprehensive, club-by-club guide to the transfer window. According to Sam Dean, Brentford’s injury list could lead them to look for full-back cover while it is no secret that Arsenal’s next significant investment must be in attack. Whether the right player is available this month is another question.
04:43 PM GMT
We await confirmation of the reason
I believe this is the first game Kai Havertz has missed through injury or illness since joining Arsenal.
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 1, 2025
04:42 PM GMT
Frank on Arsenal’s set-piece threat
They are very good in set-pieces, we are also very good on set-pieces so it is going to be an interesting battle. We have of course analysed every possible way they can hurt us.
04:30 PM GMT
Arteta on Arsenal’s title chances
That doesn’t depend on us, we have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, every day. If someone wins all the matches, congratulate them and let’s go to the next season but, if they don’t, which, in history, hasn’t happened, we’ll be there.
04:25 PM GMT
Frank on Arsenal ‘going under the radar’
We are facing a very good Arsenal team. In a way, they have gone a little under the radar. There has been much talk about Manchester City, [Manchester] United, Liverpool because they are doing fantastic and Chelsea as they have done more than people expected, but I think Arsenal have performed consistently well. A well run machine and team.
04:23 PM GMT
Some interesting team news
Brentford will be delighted that goalkeeper Mark Flekken has made it. A different set up for Brentford these days with a flat back four. Frank tended to favour a five against the big teams, but this system means Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Wissa and Mbuemo can all start. Plenty there to keep Arsenal’s defence occupied.
Surprising that Rice does not start for Arsenal but there have been social media whispers, unverified, of a sickness bug. Calafiori returns at left-back in a strong back back while Ethan Nwaneri starts on the right with Martinelli moving left. It is the 17-year-old’s first Premier League start.
Arsenal’s Brentford-slayer of last season Kai Havertz is not in the squad.
04:17 PM GMT
Brentford team and subs: Goalkeeper Mark Flekken passed fit to start
Your Bees to take on Arsenal 👊 pic.twitter.com/JGpa41XFRj
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 1, 2025
04:16 PM GMT
Arsenal team and subs: Havertz absent, Rice on bench, Nwaneri starts
🟣 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
🇪🇸 Merino in the middle
❤️ Nwaneri makes first PL start
⚡️Jesus leads the line
Let's do this, Gunners ✊ pic.twitter.com/tjYLSADhdY— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2025
04:13 PM GMT
David Raya can now play against his old club
Aaron Ramsdale started both of Arsenal’s games against Brentford last season because Raya was signed on loan initially. Ramsdale made a horrible error at the Emirates and was close to doing similar in the away game but Declan Rice bailed him out with a goal-line clearance. Difficult conditions for a goalkeeper tonight but Raya’s ability to claim crosses and set-pieces could be key.
04:08 PM GMT
Thomas Frank’s reflections on Brentford’s 2024
To have layers, to develop the team and club, to play some interesting football, develop players and people and keep moving forward. I think we do that. There have definitely been more ups than downs this year so I am pleased with that.
04:03 PM GMT
Similar weather to Arsenal’s game at Fulham last month
Brentford v Arsenal. The weather is truly vile. pic.twitter.com/MkQB8Ypcss
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 1, 2025
04:01 PM GMT
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04:00 PM GMT
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04:00 PM GMT
An acid test of the Saka-less Arsenal’s title durability
A full program of top-flight football was once a fixture of New Year’s Day but there is just the one Premier League match to savour as Arsenal look to keep their dwindling title chances alive with a win at Brentford.
Dwindling not necessarily through bad form - five wins and two draws from their last seven league games is hardly a crisis - but because of Liverpool’s so far unerring consistency and Bukayo Saka suffering a serious hamstring injury. Mikel Arteta’s team can close the gap to six points this evening, albeit Liverpool will have a game in hand.
A solid if unimpressive 1-0 win over Ipswich Town was our first glimpse of the new, Saka-less Arsenal but trips to Brentford and Brighton in the space of four days promise to tell us a good deal more. It is a hectic month for Arsenal, with the first leg of a Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United and a FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United in the diary.
Brentford boast the second-best home record in the Premier League season, and games at the Gtech Community Stadium have seen goals aplenty. Things have slowed in recent weeks for Thomas Frank’s side though, with just one win in their last five league games and only one goal in their last three. That run has featured trips to Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brighton.
This fixture brings back memories of Brentford’s first Premier League game when they rolled Arsenal over on the season’s curtain-raising Friday night but Arsenal have won to nil in consecutive seasons since. Kai Havertz scored late winners in both league meetings last season, and it feels like a night when Arsenal might need to be patient again.
3 - Arsenal have won their last three away games against Brentford in all competitions without conceding a single goal. They last won four consecutive away games against an opponent while keeping a clean sheet each time against Sunderland between 2003 and 2008. Controlled. pic.twitter.com/BCs8ypRhBx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 1, 2025
There are hopes that Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken will be fit to start. No fresh injury concerns that we know of for Arteta and Arsenal, but he has choices to make in midfield and must decide who starts in Saka’s usual berth on the right. It looks like Gabriel Martinelli has that job, but starting all of Martinelli, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard against Ipswich left Arsenal short of attacking options on the bench.
Full team news on the way shortly.
