Arsenal picked up the first Premier League win of 2025 with a victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Arsenal fell behind early with a blistering counter-attack goal from Bryan Mbeumo, but the Gunners equalized through Gabriel Jesus to go into the halftime break level. Coming out of the tunnel for the second half, the Gunners were lethal. Mikel Merino scored from a set piece in the 50th minute and Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead just three minutes later.
The Gunners remained relatively comfortable from there on out as Mikel Arteta continues to manage a side missing star player Bukayo Saka. The win takes Arsenal six points behind Liverpool for the league lead, though Arne Slot's team has a game in hand.
Player ratings below from both sides in the first fixture of 2025.
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Brentford Player Ratings vs. Arsenal (4-3-1-2)
Ratings Provided by Fotmob
Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Ipswich Town (4-3-3)
Ratings Provided by Fotmob
Player of the Match: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Brentford 1-3 Arsenal: Player Ratings as Gunners Begin 2025 With a Bang.