Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points as the Gunners defeated Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday.

Arsenal were rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half goal at the Gtech Community Stadium.

But Arsenal refused to be blown away on a wet and windy evening in west London as Gabriel Jesus equalised before the break.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his last four games after he scored just once in his first 20 matches this season.

Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli netted in quick succession soon after half-time to ensure Arsenal moved into second place above Nottingham Forest.

Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “We won in a difficult stadium against a good opponent. The record they have here is incredible and when you go 1-0 down it makes it even harder.

“Especially when you go a goal down early in the game it becomes a mountain to climb, but we remained patient.

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“We had to manage the situation emotionally. We were very clinical in the box. Jesus’s form is very important.”

Excluding their 5-1 rout of Crystal Palace, the Gunners had spluttered through their last four league games with lacklustre draws against Fulham and Everton followed by a narrow win over lowly Ipswich.

But Arsenal’s first Premier League game of 2025 provided compelling evidence that they are ready to compete in the title race with Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the north Londoners.

Runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, a revitalising run that now includes four successive wins.

“We can only win our next match and see what happens. It’s not in our hands,” Arteta said of chasing Liverpool.

The Star