Brentford v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League latest score and updates as visitors surge into second half lead
Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to close the gap to Liverpool in the first Premier League action of 2025
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Your support makes all the difference.Brentford host Arsenal in the Premier League tonight, with the visitors looking to keep the pressure on a Liverpool side who are threatening to run away with the title.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled for goals in recent matches against Fulham and Everton, though they have returned to form with wins over Crystal Palace and Ipswich as they adjust to life without the injured Bukayo Saka.
Having let an eight-point lead slip themselves during the 2022/23 season, the London club will be fully aware that the title race is far from over, though they can ill afford many more slip-ups as we enter the second half of the campaign.
Their opening business of 2025 sees them take on a side that have enjoyed the comforts of home this season, with Brentford boasting an impressive record at the Gtech Community Stadium and eyeing more success against their cross-town visitors.
Follow all the latest updates in our live blog below:
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal, 66 minutes
Not quite right from Bryan Mbeumo. Off an Arsenal head and cleared.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal, 65 minutes
It appears that some cahnges are on the way, but Brentford play brightly while they wait for reinforcements, Keane Lewis-Potter’s felling by Ethan Nwaneri earning them a free kick in a rather dangerous position.
Wide on the left, 30 yards out. Up come the heavy mob.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal, 62 minutes
A Brentford corner prompts a few words of warning from the referee to Gabriel and a gaggle of contesting players in the Arsenal box. Bryan Mbeumo will take once the pushing and shoving has ceased.
Nifty! Lovely movement as Yoane Wissa peels back towards the penalty spot into space, but Mbeumo’s ball bounces a little too high and Wissa can only generate minimal contact as he tries his best to concoct a shot.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal, 59 minutes
Not far away! A long ball from David Raya springs Gabriel Martinelli, who bides his time before slotting across to Gabriel Jesus. There’s just enough pressure from Sepp van den Berg to prevent a clean finish, with Jesus’s stab trickling wide.
Brentford 1-3 Arsenal, 55 minutes
It feels a long way back for Brentford now. Arsenal just look to have figured out how to deconstruct their backline, and you fear the hosts will only leave themselves more exposed as they case a fightback.
That was a lovely finish from Martinelli, crisp and clean. In the absence of Bukayo Saka, he and Gabriel Jesus have stepped up.
GOAL! Brentford 1-3 ARSENAL (Gabriel Martinelli, 54 minutes)
Another!
A cross from Ethan Nwaneri is not even half cleared by Nathan Collins, who feels he may have been eased out of the way by Gabriel Jesus. The referee is content, and so is Gabriel Martinelli, lashing past Mark Flekken to add to Arsenal’s advantage.
VAR has a brief look, but decides all is fine and dandy. What a start to the half for the visitors!
Brentford 1-2 Arsenal, 52 minutes
A bit of confidence and composure about Arsenal now, starting to pop the ball about with real intent.
GOAL! Brentford 1-2 ARSENAL (Mikel Merino, 50 minutes)
They just can’t stop scoring from corners!
I don’t think this will be going on Nicolas Jover’s showreel but they count all the same! Mark Flekken flaps like a hen in heat in a wild attempt to pat the ball away, failing almost entirely. Gabriel Jesus looks likely to be the beneficiary again as the ball bounces to his feet, but fires against the chest of a Brentford player, allowing Mikel Merino to pick up the pieces and pierce both blockers and net. Arsenal lead.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal, 48 minutes
The inswinger makes it all the way into the six-yard box with no sign of Mark Flekken coming. Behind it deflects for another set piece.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal, 47 minutes
William Saliba uses his strength to prevent Bryan Mbeumo holding up the ball, the Frenchman cleverly manipulating the Brentford striker’s body out of the way to take the ball.
Arsenal soon win a corner, which will allow Saliba to lumber up.
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