Arsenal Make Perfect Start to the New Year Winning Derby At Brentford

 

Arsenal got off to a great start in the New Year and staged a remarkable turnaround to claim delightful points from a comeback to beat Brentford 3-1. The Gunners are better off now being second but are trailing the leaders, Liverpool, by a considerable margin. 

Brentford showed great competence. Shortly after Bryan Mbeumo's goal, they were even near doubling the lead but David Raya narrowly kept a poor saved shot out with a touchline save of the ball crocheting into the net. 

Mbeumo's opener was delightful, smacking the ball down the bottom left of the goal to beat Raya despite a challenge from a defender. Gabriel Jesus' header to rebound from Tomas Partey's effort returned the game to level terms. 

Mikel Merino seized a rowdy moment in the box to double the goals for Arsenal following Ethan Nwaneri's cross. Then the winner followed through Gabriel Martinelli, who finished off Nwaneri's cross from the right wing. 

Brentford conceded their second consecutive defeat, with both games having margins of more than two goals from a home game in the Premier League. Arsenal remained in the title race but are in second place behind Liverpool. 

Overview

It was a considerably interesting derby, leaving Arsenal with the option to fight back to beat their West London neighbors from behind. Jesus apparently inspired the comeback but it is fair to say that Nwaneri was prominent in pulling off the game-deciding assists that delivered the needed goals to win the game.