Arsenal took on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in the first Premier League fixture of 2025.
Arsenal were dominant early on, but failed to fashion any real clear cut chances before Brentford took the lead against the run of play.
Arsenal transfer target Bryan Mbeumo was on the end of a fast break and was able to beat Riccardo Calafiori and wrong-foot David Raya before slotting home.
However, the resurgent Gabriel Jesus was able to swiftly equalise for the Gunners, before Mikel Arteta’s side completed the comeback with early second half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino.
Arsenal struck by sickness bug
Rumours that a sickness bug was spreading through the Arsenal squad emerged ahead of this match.
Kai Havertz was forced out of action for this reason, as Arteta confirmed that the German forward and a few of his teammates were all struggling with illness.
The Spanish coach will be desperately hoping that this bug doesn’t spread further, and that Havertz and any other afflicted players are fully recovered in time to face Brighton on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice had to be benched for this match as he was struggling with a fitness issue himself.
Ethan Nwaneri hits another milestone at Brentford
With Bukayo Saka providing another injury headache for Arteta, the manager had to find a replacement for the talismanic winger to take on the Bees.
Having recently deployed Martinelli in this part of the pitch, Arteta opted to restore the Brazilian attacker to his usual station on the left flank and instead award Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League start as Saka’s deputy.
This trip to the Gtech Community Stadium may well have brought about a sense of deja vu for Nwaneri, as it was in this very same ground that he made his first ever Premier League appearance, as a late substitute against the Bees, back in 2022.
Nwaneri made history as the youngest ever Premier League player with that first appearance. The 17-year-old has now made his full debut in the top flight of English football in exactly the same place that he was awarded his maiden outing.
Jurrien Timber receives ban for Brighton clash
On top of the injury and illness issues that Arteta is currently having to contend with, the manager will now also have to cope with Jurrien Timber’s suspension against Brighton this weekend.
Timber picked up a one-match ban after he reached the limit of Premier League bookings before a suspension is dealt out when he was shown a yellow card against Brentford.
Thomas Partey is perhaps the most likely candidate to deputise for Timber against the Seagulls, with Ben White still sidelined with injury having undergone surgery.
Martin Odegaard has tactical issue with Mikel Arteta
After Jesus equalised for the Gunners in the first half, Martin Odegaard and Timber did not join the celebrations.
Instead, the Arsenal duo headed over to the touchline to talk tactics with Arteta.
The pair had perhaps spotted an issue that fed into the manager’s half-time team talk, as the Gunners were transformed after the break, striking twice in quick succession to take a controlling lead and complete the turnaround.
Mikel Merino pays tribute to his father
After prodding the North London club ahead from close range after the break, Merino headed for the corner flag in celebration.
As has become a custom for the Spanish midfielder, Merino then circled the corner flag in a little dance.
Merino performs this celebration in honour of his father, Angel Merino, a former player himself who used to dance around the corner flag after scoring back in his own playing days.
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