Gunners come from behind to blow Brentford away

Arsenal scored two goals in three second-half minutes to complete a 3-1 comeback victory at Brentford to move back up to second in the Premier League.

The Gunners were behind after just 13 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo struck for Brentford before David Raya nearly gift-wrapped the hosts a second when he allowed Keane Lewis-Potter's shot to slip through his grasp.

Raya clawed the ball off his own line and one minute later Gabriel Jesus headed Arsenal back on level terms.

Mikel Merino then put the visitors ahead after 50 minutes before Gabriel Martinelli added a third with Ethan Nwaneri – the 17-year-old handed his first Premier League start in place of the injured Bukayo Saka – involved in both goals.

The win took Arsenal six points behind Liverpool – having played a game more – and ahead of Nottingham Forest. Brentford remain in 12th.

Mikel Arteta’s men will have the chance to reduce the gap to just three points when they travel to Brighton on Saturday, 24 hours ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United at Anfield.

Brentford had won seven of their opening nine matches at home heading into the league’s sole New Year’s Day fixture and they struck the first blow here.

Martin Odegaard’s pass was intercepted by Mikkel Damsgaard and the visitors were suddenly scurrying back to their own goal. Damsgaard played in Mbeumo, with Riccardo Calafiori failing to put enough pressure on the Brentford forward.

Mbeumo was allowed to cut inside on his strongest foot before firing past Raya at his near post. Raya will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near stick. Nevertheless, it was a fine finish from the in-form Mbeumo to take his tally for the season to 11.

Only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak have