Breaking News: Gunners legend makes championship prediction after latest Arsenal win
Martin Keown, a former Arsenal defender, believes that his old club sent a powerful message to their Premier League rivals after staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday night. The Gunners found themselves trailing early on at the Gtech Community Stadium, courtesy of Bryan Mbeumo’s strike past David Raya at his near post. However, Arsenal responded admirably, equalizing through Gabriel Jesus just before the half-hour mark.
The visitors then sealed the win with two goals in three second-half minutes, courtesy of Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli. This impressive turnaround has closed the gap between Arsenal and league leaders Liverpool to six points, and Keown was impressed by the character and resilience displayed by Mikel Arteta’s team.
“They picked up the intensity, that’s a strong signal from this team,” Keown told TNT Sports, reflecting on Arsenal’s second-half display. “They’re alive and kicking, still in this race. At halftime, the manager would have had a few words. They showed good character and personality, and in the second half, showed their class. They really stamped on their opponent with two quick goals, and then it’s emphatic. That sends a message that they’re still in this title race.”
Keown’s comments highlight the significance of Arsenal’s win, particularly given the challenges they face in the coming weeks. With nine games scheduled for January, including League Cup and FA Cup fixtures, the Gunners will need to maintain their intensity and focus if they are to remain in contention for the title.
Wednesday’s match was also notable for being Arsenal’s second game without the injured Bukayo Saka, who is expected to be sidelined for at least two months with a hamstring injury. While the team struggled to break down Ipswich in a nervy 1-0 win last week, they offered more of a threat in attack against Brentford.
Gabriel Martinelli, who scored Arsenal’s third goal, acknowledged that replacing Saka’s contributions would be impossible but emphasized the team’s determination to step up collectively and cover for the loss of their talisman.
“No one can replace him (Saka); he’s one of the best players in the world,” Martinelli said. “But we know our reputation, and we know the team that we have. We trust in ourselves, and we’re going to try our best for the club and for B (Saka) as well. I’m sure he’s happy for the result.”
As Arsenal look to navigate the challenges ahead, their comeback win against Brentford serves as a timely reminder of their resilience and determination. With the title race still very much alive, the Gunners will be eager to build on this momentum and maintain their push for glory.
‘We trust in ourselves and we’re going to try our best for the club and for B as well. I’m sure he’s happy for the result.’
