Brentford 1 Arsenal 3: Gunners start 2025 with a bang as Jesus, Merino and Martinelli seal fightback win from 1-0 down
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AS the Premier League season reached its halfway point, there is a flicker of hope that we might have a contest for the title. Mikel Arteta’s obdurate, steely, resourceful Arsenal claimed a comeback victory at one of the toughest venues this competition has to offer - as goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli completed a perfect festive season for the Gunners.
![[Arsenal mob Gabriel Martinelli after he made it 3-1 early in the second half]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/gtech-stadium-gabriel-martinelli-celebrates-960957442.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Jesus is suddenly in lethal form, there was yet another goal from a corner and the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a promising first league start as the Arsenal made light of the absence of four first-choice starters. Over 12 days of Christmas football, they have claimed a maximum nine points - the only problem being that runaway leaders Liverpool have done the same.
![[Gabriel Jesus sparked victory with this spectacular equaliser]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-arsenals-gabriel-jesus-scores-960951209.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Arsenal trail Arne Slot’s Red men by six points, having played a game more than the leaders. Arteta’s perennial runners-up are hoping for a miraculous collapse from the Anfield club but at least they are showing themselves capable of building a relentless run of their own to keep in contention, just as they did in the opening months of 2024.
![[Martinelli fired the Gunners' clincher on JUST 53 minutes]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-scores-teams-960955835.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Brentford, who have enjoyed so many thrilling wins here at their house of fun in the shadows of the Chiswick flyover, seized an early lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s tenth goal of the season. But Arsenal - rarely pretty, but usually pretty effective - gritted their teeth and dragged it back on a cold, soggy Hounslow day.
![[Mikel Merino put the visitors in front shortly after the break]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mikel-merino-arsenal-scores-teams-960955600.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
