There is certainly an extra something on the line when it comes to playing the first game of the year. While for Arsenal and others, it doesn’t have the same impact as the first of the season and certainly sometimes the last, having that ‘W’ on the record for the first match of the year can be a real boost.

Arsenal managed to secure the all-important three points in West London at a ground where supporters had witnessed just one league defeat prior to the arrival of the Gunners. It seemed for a time that they would again be celebrating a scalp at the Gtech when Bryan Mbeumo set the ball rolling for Brentford, but three goals in response showcased the gap between the two teams.

Speaking of gaps, the lead Liverpool have forged is again cut in half and while Arsenal have played a game more, having the points on the board will always be preferred to matches yet to come. It was a great start to the year, and within it, there were plenty of intriguing takeaways from the encounter with the Bees.

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Faith is rewarded

There has been, for some time, some scrutiny toward Mikel Arteta for how he has approached the utilisation of Ethan Nwaneri. The youngster has been, for all intents and purposes, overlooked when scenarios such as Martin Odegaard’s injury were thought to have opened a door.

However, Mikel Arteta was quick to suggest that it was not injury, nor illness, that has seen him choose the 17-year-old to face Brentford. Interestingly it appears that occasion played a part in the decision.

“Well, in that position it wasn’t because of the bug, it was a decision I made because I thought he was the best player to play in the position to start the game and because there was a story there with his debut here,” Arteta explained. “He made his Premier League debut and sometimes that feeling comes in and you feel it is the right one and then who knows?”

Nwaneri sparkled in the role, taking players on with the confidence of a player many years his senior. He inverted like Saka and gave a familiarity that was not there with Gabriel Martinelli – not a dig, just the reality.

Now the question will be whether he comes in for the game against Brighton so soon after. Kai Havertz may indeed be back by then but this could be a very telling moment as like Myles Lewis-Skelly before him, performances can indeed be rewarded.

Breaking the mould in a new year

Bryan Mbeumo’s goal was the sixth time a side have taken the lead against Arsenal in the league this season. A poor defensive moment from a returning Riccardo Calafiori allowed the winger and potential Gunners transfer target to go relatively unchallenged as he slammed in a shot to spark celebration in the stands.

This was, however, just the second time, come full-time, that Arsenal had turned the scoreline around. I asked Arteta after the game about this statistic and whether he saw a difference this time in his player’s compared to previous reaction to going a goal down.

“Yes today, and we discussed about that option because it can happen and then the game falls in their hands and they get exactly what they want,” Arteta replied. “But we managed to change it around, the timing of it was really good so we were lucky that we took advantage so early in the second half and it was a different game.”

Interestingly, none of the goals had a direct assister. While Fantasy Football apps might hand both Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus assists for the first two goals after their shots were blocked before being put into the net, officially these will not count.

Gabriel Martinelli’s comes from a cross being poorly cleared to his feet, in the box as he half-volleyed the ball past Mark Flekken. Arteta is right, the timing of these goals was critical as the Gunners completed the turnaround.

All things considered, with the illness and absences, Arsenal took the game to Brentford and played them at their own counter-attacking game and could, or rather should, have scored more from situations where David Raya sent Martinelli, in particular, running through on goal – it was an impressive display for sure.

The window opens

Naturally, supporters are incredibly relieved and apprehensive that the January transfer window has opened with the turn of the new year. Arsenal have had juxtaposed windows in the winter, sometimes spending serious sums on big players and other times doing little or even zero business.

While Nwaneri came in and did well for the injured Saka, there is no doubt that this can suddenly be the be all and end all to the Gunners’ depth problems in attack. While Arteta was upbeat on Raheem Sterling’s potential return, and Jesus has now found form, the Gunners need reinforcement.

Having made money on deadline day in the summer on both Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah, there is not the tight restrictions from Profit and Sustainability that has existed in the recent past. The club cannot go mad, there is a lot already in the works for the summer, but a forward target certainly needs to be brought forward and interim director Jason Ayto has plenty of work to do finding Arteta the players he needs.

The title race is open, and while Liverpool look unstoppable, not taking advantage of any slips, just like Arsenal have already failed to do with their draws against Fulham and Everton, will be worsened by a lack of proactiveness when it comes to transfers.

One option scored against them on Wednesday evening and should be considered if the Gunners have the magic number to convince Brentford to sell. While there are certainly alternatives both in and outside of the Premier League.