Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Arsenal kicked off 2025 in type, coming from behind to defeat Brentford 3-1 on the Gtech Group Stadium.
Brentford shocked Arsenal early within the first half. Regardless of Arsenal dominating possession with over 80% of the ball within the opening minutes, it was the hosts who broke the impasse.
Within the thirteenth minute, Mikkel Damsgaard intercepted a move from Martin Odegaard and launched a counter-attack, threading an ideal ball to Bryan Mbeumo.
The Brentford ahead skillfully reduce inside, evading Riccardo Calafiori, and completed previous former team-mate David Raya on the close to put up.
Arsenal, shaken however undeterred, responded. Brentford practically doubled their lead within the twenty eighth minute when Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slipped by Raya’s gloves, however the keeper recovered to stop the ball from crossing the road.
Moments later, Gabriel Jesus capitalised on a defensive lapse to degree the rating.
Thomas Partey’s strike was parried by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, however Jesus was completely positioned to fit residence the rebound.
One other large workforce efficiency ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DBEoSEQe05
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2025
The groups entered half-time locked at 1-1. Arsenal had managed possession and created extra alternatives, however Brentford’s counter-attacking menace stored them within the contest.
Within the fiftieth minute, Mikel Merino turned a scrappy set-piece right into a purpose.
Ethan Nwaneri’s nook induced chaos within the field, with Flekken spilling the ball below strain.
After a blocked effort from Jesus, Merino reacted quickest to fit the ball into the online, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead.
Simply three minutes later, Arsenal prolonged their benefit additional. Nwaneri as soon as once more performed a vital function, delivering a cross that Brentford’s Nathan Collins might solely partially clear.
Gabriel Martinelli latched onto the free ball, taking one contact earlier than unleashing a robust strike previous Flekken to make it 3-1.
Gabigoal 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/HAc8BC94o6
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2025
After that, Brentford, regardless of their spirited efforts, struggled to create clear-cut probabilities towards a resolute Arsenal backline.
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta made a number of modifications to handle the sport within the ultimate phases. Odegaard, Nwaneri, and Merino had been changed by skilled heads like Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, and Declan Rice, making certain Arsenal maintained management.
Brentford’s greatest likelihood to claw again a purpose got here in stoppage time. Mathias Jensen delivered a harmful cross into the field, however regardless of a diving effort, it went unmet and drifted harmlessly out for a purpose kick.
Arsenal’s victory sees them safe their eleventh league win of the season and lengthen their unbeaten document in London derbies to an unimaginable 11 video games. They continue to be firmly within the title race, piling strain on league leaders Liverpool.
Brentford, in the meantime, will mirror on missed alternatives and defensive errors however can take solace of their robust general residence kind this season.
