Arsenal came from behind to start 2025 with a Premier League victory in this London derby. Re-live all the best facts and Opta data from the game with our Brentford vs Arsenal stats page.
The opening Premier League match of 2025 saw Arsenal come from behind to defeat Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, collecting their third successive league victory.
Brentford took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute, with the reliable Bryan Mbeumo scoring with their first shot of the game. In fact, it was the eighth time in 19 matches that the Bees have scored with their first shot in a Premier League match this season – more than any other side.
The Cameroonian international picked up a pass from Mikkel Damsgaard and deceived former teammate David Raya with a shot at his near post, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and scoring.
Brentford came close to doubling their lead in the 28th minute, but this time Raya did superbly to get back and parry the ball off his line after he’d mishandled Keane Lewis-Potter’s strike. A minute later, that save was to have even more importance, as Arsenal equalised.
Thomas Partey attempted a shot from range, and although Mark Flekken was able to save low to his left, he could only find Gabriel Jesus, who scored the rebound with a diving header. It was Jesus’ sixth goal in his last four competitive appearances for the Gunners, as many as he’d managed in his previous 48 games for the club.
Just over four minutes into the second half, Arsenal took the lead via Mikel Merino, and it came via a common source – a corner. After Flekken flapped at the set-piece, the ball bounced around the box before the Spanish midfielder slammed the ball into the back of the next from six yards out.
That goal was the ninth that Arsenal have scored from corner situations this season, which is three more than any other side.
There was nothing untidy about Arsenal’s third goal in the 53rd minute, as Gabriel Martinelli fired home a crisp strike inside the box past Flekken. It was the Brazilian’s fifth Premier League goal in 17 games across 2024-25, which moves him one away from last season’s total of six in 35 appearances.
Arsenal’s fourth successive win over Brentford means that they move up to second place in the Premier League table, but still sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Brentford vs Arsenal stats from their Premier League meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Brentford vs Arsenal Facts – Post-Match
- Arsenal won a Premier League away game in which they fell 1-0 behind for the first time since February 2023 at Aston Villa (4-2).
- Arsenal have scored nine Premier League goals from corner situations this season, the most of any side. Indeed, five of the Gunners’ last 12 league goals have come via corners.
- Since the start of last season, Brentford have lost 47 points from winning positions in the Premier League (30 last season, 17 this), at least 10 more than any other side.
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