At the halfway mark of the Premier League season, hopes of a genuine title race are emerging as Arsenal staged a gritty comeback to secure victory at one of the league’s toughest venues.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal displayed resilience and determination, overturning an early deficit with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli to round off a perfect festive period for the Gunners.

Bryan Mbeumo, enjoying a standout season, gave Brentford an early lead with his tenth goal of the campaign. The Bees, known for their thrilling performances at their home ground near the Chiswick flyover, started strongly and caught Arsenal on the back foot.

The Gunners, missing Bukayo Saka due to a long-term injury and Kai Havertz through illness, fielded young talent Ethan Nwaneri for his first league start. Declan Rice, not fully fit, was rested, allowing Mikel Merino to feature, while Riccardo Calafiori stepped in for Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.

Brentford began brightly, capitalizing on Mikkel Damsgaard’s precise through-ball to Mbeumo, who finished clinically past David Raya at his near post. Raya, facing his former team, nearly gifted Brentford a second when he spilled Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot but recovered just in time to prevent the goal.

Despite Arsenal dominating possession, the home side initially looked sharper and more aggressive. However, the tide turned when Gabriel Jesus equalized, capitalizing on Mark Flekken’s save from a Thomas Partey effort. Jesus’ diving header marked his sixth goal in four matches, providing a crucial lifeline for the Gunners.

Buoyed by the equalizer, Arsenal controlled the remainder of the first half, pushing Brentford onto the defensive and setting the stage for a comeback victory.

Arsenal mob Gabriel Martinelli after he made it 3-1 early in the second halfCredit: Alamy

Gabriel Jesus sparked victory with this spectacular equaliserCredit: Reuters

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.

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.

Ethan Nwaneri especially impressed before the breakCredit: Getty

Brentford had been wobbly of late – winless in four games, and without a goal in two, having had their outstanding home record dented by a 2-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on their last outing at the Gtech Stadium.

Thomas Frank welcomed back Sepp van den Berg at centre-half, while Yehor Yormoliuk slotted into midfield.

Martinelli fired the Gunners’ clincher on just 53 minutesCredit: Getty

Mikel Merino put the visitors in front shortly after the breakCredit: Getty

Bryan Mbeumo slotted Brentford ahead in the 13th minuteCredit: Reuters

Damsgaard floored Jesus with what looked like an accidental elbow and VAR found nothing to get excited about.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal took a complete stranglehold on proceedings – scoring twice in the space of two minutes, with Nwaneri playing his part in both.

The kid had threatened without much end product in the first period but five minutes after the restart, he whipped in a corner, Flekken completely botched his punch, Jesus had a shot blocked and Spanish midfielder Merino pounced to poke home.

It was Arsenal’s 25th Premier League goal from a corner since the start of last season – nine more than any other club.

Soon it was 3-1. Nwaneri curled in a wicked centre which caused chaos, Nathan Collins only able to head out as far as Martinelli who arrowed a shot into the far corner with deadly accuracy.

Jesus soon went close to a fourth and Arsenal never looked remotely like letting the hosts back in.