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| Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta with the players after the win | Photo: AFP |
Before they even stepped foot into the ZeeTech Community Stadium, Arsenal faced an invisible opponent. The virus!
Several players have been affected by illness. German forward Kai Havertz had to return home without playing. Midfielder Declan Rice was also not feeling well. He came on the field in the second half. Captain Martin Odegaard has also been affected by illness. Although he played for the starting eleven, his mistake in Brentford's first goal was obvious to everyone. All in all, the situation is completely chaotic.
But there was hope. Arsenal have not lost to any London club in the English Premier League since 2023. Even if the west London club does not win at home, the Gunners' supporters were hoping for at least a share of the points. Since the XI is fighting the virus, what more can be expected on the field? But that hope was about to be erased after Brentford forward Brian Mbuemo's goal in the 13th minute. They had to not lose in the first match of the new year!
No, in the end it didn't happen. Arsenal left Brentford with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus in the first half and Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino after the break. Arsenal are second with 39 points from 19 matches. Liverpool are at the top with 45 points, having played one match less than them. Nottingham Forest is third with 37 points from the same number of matches as Arsenal.
Speaking after the win, Arsenal coach Arteta said of the virus attack, "It has affected the players on and off the field. It's not something serious, but it's not ideal either. Kai's symptoms were clearly visible, so he was put in a car and sent to London (home). But it could be. Infection or virus attack."
Arsenal face Brighton on Saturday. Arteta hopes the team will be virus-free before then.