Brentford 1-3 Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli score as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners finish second in Premier League

Strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli shortly after half-time secured a comfortable win for Arsenal at Brentford that moved them up to second in the table.

The Gunners started purposefully, camped in the Brentford half, but were caught out on the break by Bryan Mbeumo, before Gabriel Jesus – with a poached strike – levelled.

Ethan Nwaneri, making his first Premier League start, was involved in the two goals in four second-half minutes that decided the game as Mark Flekken’s inability to deal with the corner gave him the opportunity for Merino, and Martinelli gave excellent volley for home after the youngster’s strike. the cross was only partially cleared.

The match was never in doubt from that point on as the Gunners cruised to a win that lifted them above Nottingham Forest into second place, six points behind Liverpool.

Brentford remain in 12th place, nine off the bottom three.

Confirmation of Bukayo Saka’s long-term injury could have ruined the lives of many teams, with the Premier League’s most-liked player almost as important for the morale he instills around the club and supporters as his immense talent. That Arsenal have responded with back-to-back wins says something about the spirit fostered by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.

In both halves they deliberately began to take control of the game, against a team renowned for quick starts, and put the Bees on the back foot. Frustration could easily set in after conceding a goal during the match and with their inability to make their possession and territorial advantage count before the break.

With key figure Declan Rice on the bench and Kai Havertz out through illness, others came to the fore with Nwaneri more than playing his part and Merino getting the key goal.

The mood could change if they get away from holders Manchester United in the FA Cup and Newcastle in the League Cup semi-finals, but it looks like Arsenal have the stomach for the competition this year. And while it’s hard to see them catching Liverpool, barring the Reds losing their own right-wing prodigy, they should at least keep the title chase somewhat honest.

After a good start to his Arsenal career with bad injuries, some struggles and a lack of starts has made his first two and a half years since his move from Manchester City a bit of an unpleasant one. At the age of 27, he still has time to put that right and his fox-in-the-box finish suggests that at his best he can remain Arsenal’s most potent spearhead and his all-round play tonight was also worthy of praise.

Brentford: Point 5; Roerslev 6, Collins 6, Van den Berg 6, Lewis-Potter 7; Janelt 6, Norgaard 5, Yarmoliuk 6; Mbeumo 7, Damsgaard 7; Wissa 5.

Receivers: Jensen 6, Kim 6, Damage 6, Magoma 6,

Arsenal: Raya 6; Timber 6, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Calafiori 5; Odegaard 6, Partey 7, Merino 7; November 7, Jesus 8*, Martinelli 7.

Second: Lewis-Skelley 6, Trossard 6, Rice 6, Jorginho, Zinchenko.

13′ GOAL! BRADFORD (BEUMO) 1-0 ARSENAL They are so dangerous on the break. Damsgaard plays the ball out to Mbeumo, who turns inside Calafiori and aims a low arrow inside Raya’s near post.

29′ GOAL! BRADFORD 1-1 ARSENAL (JESUS) Partey’s shot from just outside the box is blocked by Flekken and Jesus is so sharp that he reacts first to the rebound and sends the ball home.

50′ GOAL! BRADFORD 1-2 ARSENAL (MERINO) Nwaneri takes a corner for Arsenal and his delivery is fantastic putting Flekken under pressure and the ball eventually falls to Merino who puts it into the net.

53′ GOAL! BRADFORD 1-3 ARSENAL (MARTINELLI) A fantastic finish from the Brazilian forward after Nwaneri’s cross was only partially cleared by Collins. Martinelli took the ball on his knee before hitting the volley.

60′JESUS ​​NOT FAR… Martinelli runs down the left on the break and plays in the Brazilian who pushes just wide of the near post.