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Arsenal used the first day of 2025 to send out a reminder of its title credentials by coming from behind to beat Brentford. The Gunners are now six points adrift of Liverpool at the top, although Arne Slot’s men still have a game in hand.
It had been the perfect festive period for Liverpool with three wins out of three, including two impressive results away from home at Tottenham and West Ham. Slot’s team has scored 14 goals in those matches to cement their place as clear title favorites.
Manchester City’s struggles look to have ended any hope of retaining the title while Chelsea has lost its last two games against Fulham and Ipswich. And as the New Year gets underway, it seems Arsenal is best placed to challenge the Reds.
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It won’t come as a surprise to the Liverpool boss, who has continued to talk Arsenal up. After all, Manchester City only pipped the Gunners to the title on the final day last season, and they weren’t far away a year earlier.
Mikel Arteta knew his team had to be at their best against a Brentford side who had lost just once at home this season. And the Bees threatened to cause another upset when Liverpool-linked Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring.
It could have been two for the home side when David Raya almost fumbled the ball into the back of his net. But seconds later Arsenal was level as Gabriel Jesus headed home after Thomas Partey had been denied.
And Arsenal came racing out of the traps after the interval to pull clear of Brentford. Mark Flekken failed to hold onto a corner, allowing Mikel Merino to tap home from close range before Gabriel Martinelli made it 3-1 soon after.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is primed for a title challenge -Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
It was the perfect result for Arsenal, who remains without key man Bukayo Saka through injury while Kai Havertz missed out through illness. Arteta also opted to give Declan Rice a rest, with the decision ultimately vindicated.
Arsenal has the opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool to two points this weekend when it travels to Brighton on Saturday evening. That comes before Liverpool’s visit of struggling Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.
Arteta had warned ahead of the game that his side would be ready to pounce, should Liverpool drop off in the second half of the season. There is no sign of Slot’s men doing that right now but few would expect them to keep this excellent run going from now until May.
The lead at this stage of the season gives Liverpool some breathing space and Arsenal knows it cannot afford too many slip-ups in the run-in. It could go down to the wire but there is no doubt who is in the driving seat right now.