The National Times - Arsenal close gap on Liverpool as Jesus stars again

Mikel Arteta's side were rocked by Bryan Mbeumo's first-half goal at the Gtech Community Stadium.

But Arsenal refused to be blown away on a wet and windy evening in west London as Jesus equalised before the break.

It was the Brazilian's sixth goal in his last four games after he scored just once in his first 20 matches this season.

Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli netted in quick succession soon after half-time to ensure Arsenal moved into second place above Nottingham Forest.

Excluding their 5-1 rout of Crystal Palace, the Gunners had spluttered through their last four games with lacklustre draws against Fulham and Everton followed by a narrow win over lowly Ipswich.

But Arsenal's first Premier League game of 2025 provided compelling evidence that they are ready to compete in the title race with Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the north Londoners.

Runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, a revitalising run that includes four successive wins.

With Bukayo Saka sidelined for several months due to a hamstring injury, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made his first league start for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz was absent after scoring Arsenal's winner against Ipswich but Jesus ensured the German was not missed.

Arsenal did not lose a single one of their 10 league London derbies in 2024 and they maintained their impressive record in capital clashes after surviving an early blow.

- Sucker punch -

Arsenal keeper David Raya was making his first return to Brentford since leaving in 2023.

The Spaniard was taunted by his former club's fans, who took great delight in his misjudgement as Brentford went into the lead from their first serious attack in the 13th minute.

Martin Odegaard surrendered possession cheaply and Mikkel Damsgaard's pass picked out Mbeumo on the right flank.

Mbeumo cut inside Riccardo Calafiori but the Cameroon forward's low drive from 20 yards should have been dealt with by Raya, whose slow reaction allowed the ball to beat him at the near post.

Raya nearly gifted Brentford a second goal when he let Mbeumo's shot slip through his grasp before desperately clawing it away just centimetres before it crossed the line.

Arsenal responded emphatically after that chaotic period and drew level in the 29th minute.

Thomas Partey's thunderous blast from the edge of the area was parried by Brentford 'keeper Mark Flekken and Jesus alertly pounced on the rebound with a diving header that looped into the net from six yards.

Jesus was left with a bloodied mouth after a clash with Damsgaard that brought no punishment from the officials.

Arsenal delivered a sucker punch of their own five minutes after half-time as their set-piece prowess paid off again.

When Flekken made a hash of dealing with Nwaneri's corner, Jesus' snap-shot deflected to Merino and the Spain midfielder poked home from close range.

Merino's second goal for Arsenal since his close-season move from Real Sociedad shattered Brentford's resistence and Martinelli bagged the visitors' third three minutes later.

Nwaneri exposed Brentford's defensive deficiencies with a clever cutback and when his shot was deflected to Martinelli inside the area, the Brazilian curled a fine finish past Flekken.

T.Cunningham--TNT