Arsenal faced a tough challenge at the GTech Community Stadium, not just against Brentford but also an invisible opponent—a virus outbreak in the squad. Several key players fell ill, including German forward Kai Havertz, who had to return home before the match. Midfielder Declan Rice was unwell and came on only in the second half, while captain Martin Ødegaard, despite playing, struggled and made a costly mistake leading to Brentford’s first goal.
Despite the chaos, Arsenal fans hoped for at least a draw, given their unbeaten record against London clubs since 2023. That hope dimmed when Bryan Mbeumo put Brentford ahead in the 13th minute, raising fears of starting the new year with a defeat.
However, Arsenal bounced back with resilience. Gabriel Jesus equalized before halftime, and second-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino secured a 3-1 victory. This win places Arsenal second in the league table with 39 points from 19 matches, six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Reflecting on the virus outbreak, coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged its impact but remained optimistic. “It wasn’t ideal, but the team fought through,” he said. Arsenal hopes to be virus-free before facing Brighton on Saturday.
