Martin Keown claims Arsenal sent league leaders Liverpool a message after coming from behind to beat Brentford – as Gabriel Martinelli reveals Gunners’ plan to cope without Bukayo Saka
Martin Keown believes his former club Arsenal have sent an important message after coming from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners fell behind early at the Gtech Community Stadium when Bryan Mbeumo beat David Raya at his near post, but the visitors hit back through Gabriel Jesus just before the half-hour mark.
Two second-half goals in three minutes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the comeback win for Mikel Arteta’s men, and Keown was impressed by the courage Arsenal showed as they closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points .
“They picked up the intensity, that’s a strong signal from this team,” Keown told TNT Sports as he reflected on Arsenal’s second-half performance.
‘They are alive and well, still in this race. At half-time the manager would have had a few words. They showed good character and personality and showed their class in the second half. They really left their mark on the opponent with two quick goals and it was emphatic. That sends a message that they are still in this title race.
‘That’s the first of nine games in January. League Cup, FA Cup, you name it, they participate in every competition. It now keeps the pot boiling. It puts pressure on Liverpool, on you. It sends a little signal that they are still in this race.”
Martin Keown believes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have shown Liverpool they are still in the title race
Arsenal reduced the gap with Arne Slot’s Liverpool to six points by beating Brentford 3-1
Gabriel Martinelli appeared on the scoresheet and revealed Arsenal are working as a team to compensate for the loss of injured Bukayo Saka
Wednesday’s match was Arsenal’s second since their talisman Bukayo Saka was ruled out for at least two months with a hamstring injury.
They struggled to beat Ipswich in a nail-biting 1-0 win last week but offered more of a threat in attack this time.
Martinelli admitted that finding an equal replacement for Saka is impossible, but revealed that Arsenal are determined to act as a collective unit to deal with the loss of the England international.
“No one can replace him (Saka), he is one of the best players in the world, but we know our reputation and we know the team we have,” Martinelli said.
‘We trust ourselves and will do our best for the club and also for B. I am sure he is happy with the result.’
