Analysis: Brentford 1-3 Arsenal

emma smith - bbc sport journalist at brentford community stadium

Wed, 1 Jan 2025, 3:00 pm·1-min read

Bryan Mbeumo scores the opening goal — [Reuters]

Brentford are eight points off the Premier League's top five and nine above the relegation zone. Their season risks fading into obscurity.

That was what happened to them in this game - once Arsenal took the lead, the hosts never looked like getting back in the match.

While Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are enjoying individually impressive seasons, as a unit Brentford are flagging.

Since beating Newcastle 4-2 on 7 December, they have scored just twice and have lost back-to-back home matches.

Thomas Frank must now find a way to ensure that Brentford's season does not mirror their performance in this game - strong start, poor middle, lacklustre finish.

A salve could be their next two games coming against Southampton away then Plymouth at home in the FA Cup - the sides bottom of the top two divisions.