Brentford – Arsenal: Gunners Break Brentford’s Resistance (1-3)

On the day that firework festivities around Big Ben mark the start of a new year, a derby across the capital city could have killed Arsenal's ambitions for the league title once and for all. The squad is still adapting to life without their brightest star shining in the offense, but peripheral players are performing when the team needs the most. Their dream lives on a little longer.

Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

On a hot summer night in 2021, the Community Stadium stirred the structure of the London circuit. Time transformed the power balance, but did traumatic thoughts await Arsenal on the same stage?

Brentford battered the frail foundations of their visitors at their lowest ebb, breaking back into the top tier for the first time since 1947. Smart, strategic choices continue to cater towards their survival as they seamlessly swap parts of their squad. Even though Ivan Toney took off to Saudi Arabia, they are still the fifth highest scorers and boast the best record on their home turf along with the league leaders.

Arsenal are committed to conquering the Premier League and also have been making massive strides. The club collected 85 points in 2024— the most of any outfit in the division. On the way, a ten game unbeaten run against sides from the capital city spanned the year: it is the first time a London-based team achieved this feat since 2005. But none of that matters without the . . .