Arsenal came from behind to secure a third consecutive Premier League win with a 3-1 triumph against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. A Gabriel Martinelli-inspired success elevated the Gunners into second in the top-flight, six points behind leaders Liverpool.
Martinelli fired home the game-clinching third goal after being heavily involved in everything positive that his side produced. Gabriel Jesus equalised after Bryan Mbeumo too easily fired beyond David Raya in the 15th minute.
A three-minute double from Mikel Merino and Martinelli turned the game around. Mikel Arteta will be impressed by the character shown by his side against a team who had only lost one of their home matches this season.
But there will be some concern over three under-performers in the Arsenal team. Here are Express Sport's player ratings.
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David Raya - 5
Raya was wrong-footed by Bryan Mbeumo for Brentford’s goal and then nearly spilled Keane Lewis-Potter’s strike into his own net. There was less than a minute between the Spaniard hurriedly flailing to divert the ball away from goal and Gabriel Jesus’s equaliser. Arsenal still don’t possess a genuinely elite goalkeeper.
Jurrien Timber - 6
Timber overcame an early yellow card and enjoyed a decent display in west London. He has made the right-back position his own in Ben White’s absence.
William Saliba - 7
While Arsenal are excellent at set-pieces, so too are Brentford. Saliba and defensive partner Gabriel ensured there were no blips.
Gabriel - 7
Gabriel intercepted a couple of promising Brentford attacks. His return from injury over the last couple of weeks has been important.
£42m signing Calafiori is yet to settle at Arsenal. He allowed Mbeumo too much space to wade inside from the right and strike past Raya. The Italian does not seem hugely comfortable at left-back, with Myles Lewis-Skelly more impressive when given the chance.
Thomas Partey - 6
Partey dealt with Brentford’s attacking threat perfectly well.
Mikel Merino - 7
Merino has been excellent in Arsenal’s midfield over the last few weeks. The Spaniard fired home Arsenal’s second goal and helped the Gunners control the centre of the pitch. It speaks volumes that Merino is keeping Declan Rice out of the team.
Martin Odegaard - 5
This was a quieter outing for Arsenal’s captain. Odegaard gave the ball away in the immediate build-up to Brentford’s goal. He has not been at the top of his game for some time and that needs to change.
Ethan Nwaneri - 6
Nwaneri looked extremely competent in his first Premier League start, on the same pitch he became the league’s youngest-ever player two-and-a-half years ago. There were no particular flashes of brilliance, but this was a solid enough display from the 17-year-old.
Gabriel Jesus - 6
Another goal will boost Jesus’s confidence but this was a largely frustrating performance by the Brazilian. Longer passes aimed in his direction were miscontrolled and the forward struggled to ensure the ball stuck in Brentford’s defensive third. This was a great advert for Mikel Arteta needing a new No. 9.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7
Martinelli’s performance epitomised Arsenal. He initially struggled but his side’s improvement at the Gtech Stadium coincided with the winger growing into the game. He created plenty of chances and thrashed home Arsenal’s third goal with a firm volley.
Substitutes
Myles Lewis-Skelly (for Calafiori '78) - 6
Lewis-Skelly has excelled in his Arsenal appearances this season and defended well against Mbeumo.
Declan Rice (for Merino, '78) - 6
Rice came into midfield and helped Arsenal see out a big win.
Leandro Trossard (for Nwaneri, '78) - 6
Trossard had little involvement after replacing the impressive Nwaneri.
Jorginho (for Odegaard, '88) - N/A
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Jesus, '90) - N/A
