On the 1st, Arsenal played an away game against Brentford in Round 19 of the Premier League, coming from behind to win 3-1. Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is absent due to injury.

Second-placed Arsenal (36 points), who ended the year with back-to-back wins by winning their final game of 2024 against Ipswich five days ago, have made three changes to their players for the first game of the new year. Havertz, Trossard and Lewis-Skelly were replaced by Nwaneri, Merino and Calafioli, who were making their first Premier League starts.

Against 11th place Brentford (24 points), who were drawing back to their own half, Arsenal, with Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli lined up from the right, tried to force their way into the match, but conceded a goal in the 13th minute.

Odegaard's pass was caught in the midfield, and in the end Embeumo was able to score a cut-in shot.

Even after conceding a goal, Arsenal continued to push, and in the 28th minute they almost conceded another goal with Yarmoljuk's mid-range shot, but goalkeeper Raya managed to get past him and equalize the score a minute later.

Thomas' mid-range shot was saved by goalkeeper Frecken, but Jesus headed the loose ball. Arsenal continued to push towards half-time, but the first half ended at 1-1.

Then, in the second half, in the first five minutes, Strong's set play led to a comeback. Merino kicked the ball into the middle of the CK play. After another 3 minutes, let it go all at once. Martinelli on the left side of the box picked up the loose ball from Nwaneri's cross and volleyed it home.

With the score at 3-1, Arsenal lowered their center of gravity and allowed Brentford to keep possession of the ball as they ran out the clock. They won the first race of the new year with a come-from-behind victory, and have maintained second place with three consecutive wins.

Brentford 1-3 Arsenal

[Brentford]

Brian Embeumo (Previous 13)

[Arsenal]

Gabriel Jesus (29 years old)

Mikel Merino (later 5)

Gabriel Martinelli (Last 8)