WATCH: Bryan Mbeumo scores first Premier League goal of 2025 against Arsenal

Tonight's Premier League matchup between Brentford and Arsenal will see the visitors try to maintain pressure on a Liverpool team that is threatening to win the championship. Despite struggling to score in previous games against Fulham and Everton, Mikel Arteta's team has bounced back with victories against Crystal Palace and Ipswich as they get used to life without the injured Bukayo Saka.

Although they can't afford many more mistakes as the season moves into the second half, the London club will be well aware that the title fight is far from over after letting an eight-point lead slip during the 2022–2023 season. Brentford, who have an outstanding record at the Gtech Community Stadium and are hoping for further success against their cross-town opponents, will play a team that has benefited from home comforts this season in their 2025 opener.

Bukayo Saka will be the main source of support for Ethan Nwaneri as he attempts to follow in his footsteps and leave Arsenal's academy and enter the first-team lineup. The 17-year-old is a player who Mikel Arteta thinks highly of, but replacing Saka's boots tonight will test his ability to play regular football in some of the more important games.

Martin Odegaard initiates the play poorly with a sloppy pass that Mikkel Damsgaard intercepts. The Dane progresses past the Norwegian and joins Mbeumo in transition on the right. To fool David Raya and hit the back of the net, Bryan Mbeumo opens out his body to pretend for the far corner before dragging his shot to the near.

Watch here the video:

1-0 Brentford.

GOOOOOAAAAAAL BRYAN MBEUMO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARSENAL'S 2025 STARTS HORRIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/03Qmjgto6I

— Football Report (@FootballReprt) January 1, 2025

Jesus gave Arsenal the goal just a minute after Raya stopped a Mbeumo attempt on the goal line. Goalkeeper Flekken swooped to his left side to block a Partey effort after Brentford's players were unable to clear the ball in the area. But Jesus' diving header wound up in the back of the net when the clearing fell directly in his path.

Arsenal will Bukayo Saka l.ong time due to injury

While youngster Ethan Nwaneri makes his first Premier League start and fills in for longtime absentee Bukayo Saka, Thomas Frank continues to struggle with injuries. The Gunners disclosed that the winger Bukayo Saka has sustained a nasty injury to his hamstring. Saka, 23, had surgery over the weekend, and coach Mikel Arteta stated that he anticipates Saka missing "many, many weeks."

With a win, the Bees can tie Brighton in 10th place, while Arsenal are currently in third place, one point behind Nottingham Forest.