Arsenal’s dramatic 3-1 win against Brentford on Wednesday night has turned heads, with former player Martin Keown praising the team for sending a clear message about their title ambitions.
The Gunners’ ability to come from behind to secure all three points highlighted their resilience and determination, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the Premier League crown.
Early Setback but Quick Response
The game at Gtech Community Stadium started off poorly for Arsenal when Bryan Mbeumo found the back of the net, beating goalkeeper David Raya at his near post.
The early goal put the home side ahead, but the Gunners were quick to respond.
Just before the half-hour mark, Gabriel Jesus leveled the score for Arsenal, giving them the momentum they needed to push forward.
A Clinical Second Half
Arsenal took control of the match in the second half, with two quick goals sealing their comeback victory.
Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli were both on target, scoring in quick succession to give Mikel Arteta’s side a 3-1 lead.
Keown was impressed by the way Arsenal raised their game after the break, showcasing their quality and sending a message to the rest of the league that they are still in the title race.
“They picked up the intensity, that’s a strong signal from this team,” Keown commented.
“They’re alive and kicking, still in this race.”
His praise was directed at the character and personality the team displayed, particularly in how they responded to being behind.
The quick-fire goals showed their class, and Keown believes this victory sent a powerful signal to league leaders Liverpool.
January Challenges Ahead
Looking ahead, Keown noted that Arsenal’s victory over Brentford was just the beginning of a tough January schedule, with nine games in the month across various competitions, including the League Cup and FA Cup.
This busy period will be crucial as Arsenal aims to maintain pressure on Liverpool at the top of the table.
“It puts pressure on Liverpool, over to you,” Keown said, reflecting on how the win keeps Arsenal’s title hopes alive.
The message was clear: Arsenal is not backing down and remains fully engaged in the race for the Premier League title.
Life Without Bukayo Saka
This match was also Arsenal’s second since star player Bukayo Saka was sidelined for at least two months with a hamstring injury.
While Arsenal struggled in their narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich last week, they looked more dangerous going forward against Brentford, offering a greater attacking threat.
Gabriel Martinelli, who played a key role in the win, acknowledged that replacing Saka is impossible but emphasized the team’s resolve to step up in his absence.
“No one can replace him,” Martinelli said, referring to Saka’s influence.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, but we know our reputation and we know the team that we have.”
Martinelli, alongside the rest of the squad, is committed to stepping up and ensuring that Arsenal continues to perform at a high level without their talisman.
Moving Forward Together
While it’s clear that Arsenal will miss Saka’s individual brilliance, Martinelli made it clear that the team is united in its efforts to cover for his absence.
The win over Brentford showed that Arsenal’s squad is capable of rising to the occasion, and they are determined to keep the momentum going as they chase the title.
“We trust in ourselves, and we’re going to try our best for the club and for B (Saka) as well,” Martinelli added, signaling that the entire team is focused on delivering results during this challenging period.
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