EPL: Arsenal defeat Brentford, cut Liverpool’s lead to six points

Arsenal scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-1 comeback victory over Brentford in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday.

The only EPL fixture on New Year’s Day saw the Gunners condemn Brentford to only their second loss at home this season with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal were without injured Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. Declan Rice was also rested, yet the team delivered the goods.

The Gunners looked the likelier to score in the early exchanges but were hit on the counter by the home side, known for scoring early in games in front of their fans. Bryan Mbuemo finished off the counter with a near post finish that caught David Raya, Arsenal goalkeeper, off guard for 1-0 in the 13th minute.

Raya, against his old club, fumbled another shot but recovered to save it on the line before his team equalised. In a quick response from Arsenal, Jesus reacted quickest to nod into the net on the rebound after Thomas Partey’s shot was parried into his path for 1-1 on 29 minutes.

Both teams went into the break level, but Arsenal went ahead in the 50th minute following a set-piece. A corner kick delivery was poorly cleared, and the ball eventually fell to Merino, who slammed his shot into the net for 2-1.

Three minutes later, Arsenal were 3-1 up when Martinelli controlled a Brentford clearance before arrowing his shot beyond a static Mark Flekken in goal to seal all three points.

Victory gives Arsenal consecutive wins away from home for only the second time this season, and the Gunners moved up to second position on the EPL table with 39 points from 19 matches, six points behind table-topping Liverpool. Brentford remain in 12th position with 24 points.

JESUS TO THE RESCUE IN SAKA’S ABSENCE

Gabriel Jesus scored at a pivotal point for the Gunners, who were one nil down and millimetres away from conceding the second.

The 27-year-old Brazilian scored a diving header to restore parity with his sixth goal in four matches in all competitions.

The striker is hitting form at a time Arsenal are without the creativity of injured Bukayo Saka- 10 assists- who is out for a lengthy spell.

Another concern for Arsenal is a leaky defence that has conceded in eight consecutive away league matches. However, Mikel Arteta’s side made up for these issues by reacting better to second balls and capitalising on Brentford’s errors, as evident in all three goals.

Arsenal rested Declan Rice and gave youngster Ethan Nwaneri another chance to continue his first-team integration. The 17-year-old was involved in the second goal.

Arsenal looked impressive in the second half and stretched their unbeaten run to nine league matches and 13 matches in all competitions.