Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka showed just how important the New Year's Day victory over Brentford was for the Gunners with a message to his teammates on social media.

Having watched Chelsea lose and Liverpool win between Christmas and New Year, Mikel Arteta's side knew that three points were vital to keep pressure on their title rivals. Despite dominating the ball in the opening stages, it was the hosts who took the lead as Bryan Mbeumo cut inside from the right and beat David Raya at his near post.

Just before the half-hour mark, the visitors were level as a scramble in the Brentford penalty area led to a strike from Thomas Partey which was parried only as far as Gabriel Jesus, who nodded home. With the scores level at the break, Arsenal pressed on early in the second half and got their reward five minutes in as yet another scramble resulted with Mikel Merino firing home.

READ MORE: I had no choice but to leave Arsenal for Chelsea after the way I was disrespected at club

READ MORE: Managing Arsenal - Alexander Isak steal and £40m Nico Williams coup as defender sold

The match was put beyond doubt three minutes later thanks to a crisp strike from Gabriel Martinelli that moved Arsenal above Nottingham Forest into second. After the match, a delighted Saka sent a message to his teammates.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote: "Big," with an embedded link to the full-time score at the Gtech Stadium. Unfortunately for Saka, he is not currently able to impact matches due to injury suffered during the thrashing of Crystal Palace last month.

Arteta has said the prognosis is not good for the winger and that Arsenal were looking at months instead of weeks until he will be able to return. A likely timeline for his return is expected to be March.