Arsenal kicked the new year off with three vital points away at Brentford on New Years Day.
It was a worrying start, Arsenal conceding cheaply from the first shot they faced.
David Raya, up against his old club, will have wanted to do better with it, allowing the goal at his near post.
Gabriel Jesus pounced quickly to level the score though, and Arsenal reset.
They started the second half with a bang, crucially going ahead when Mikel Merino stabbed home from another corner. Within minutes, Gabriel Martinelli had extended Arsenal’s lead, with teenager Ethan Nwaneri influential in both goals.
Rate the players below and see the fan averages, and scroll down to see my ratings.Â
Here’s how I rated the players:
David Raya – 6
Jurrien Timber – 7
William Saliba – 7
Gabriel – 7
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Thomas Partey – 7
Martin Odegaard – 5
Mikel Merino – 6
Ethan Nwaneri – 8
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Gabriel Jesus – 8
Men of the match: Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal are fortunate to have two academy gems to be like new signings. After that showing, Ethan looks the best fit in the squad to deputise for Bukayo Saka on the right whilst he’s injured. We still need a signing, but this was a really promising performance.