Arsenal player ratings - 'Purring' 8/10 but 4 close to 'howler' in Brentford comeback

Arsenal had to come back from behind against a tricky Brentford outfit under the lights in west London on Wednesday evening, taking all three points back across the capital with a 3-1 win.

Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring for the hosts and it took Mikel Arteta’s side to find their groove following the setback. The tenacious Gabriel Jesus found the reply with a diving header before the break and Arsenal made light work of reversing the scoreline after half time.

Mikel Merino stabbed home in the 50th minute after one of the latest corner kick routines before Gabriel Martinelli finished neatly three minutes later. Those goals took the stuffing out of Brentford as Arsenal closed out the game without too much bother. Here’s how the Arsenal players rated.

Arsenal player ratings

GK - David Raya, 5

Certainly not his best game in an Arsenal shirt. Was given a frosty reception by the Brentford fans in the first half and that looked to have an effect. Could probably have done better with the Mbeumo goal and was inches away from an absolute howler when a Lewis-Potter shot squirmed through his gloves.

LB - Riccardo Calafiori, 5

Stronger in the second half than the first. Was far too easily beaten for the Brentford goal but looked rejuvenated after the break as space opened up on the pitch.

CB - Gabriel, 7

A little wobbly in the first half with Gunners’ communication not overly impressive. More confident in the second and showed some nice work with the ball at his feet.

CB - William Saliba, 8

His usual self. Confident at the back and helped Arsenal find dominance in the second half.

RB - Jurrien Timber, 6

A pretty quiet night with not a great deal to worry about on that flank. His yellow card in the first half was silly and means a one match ban.

CM - Mikel Merino, 7

Had to be alert to fire home his goal but it was a gift of an opportunity. Could do with a little more dynamism when carrying the ball in midfield.

CM - Thomas Partey, 8

A good shift this evening, Partey was the busiest of the midfield three. It was his ferocious shot that spilled into the path of Jesus for the Arsenal opener.

CM - Martin Odegaard, 6

Is a different player with Bukayo Saka on the pitch and lacked his usual influence at times at the Gtech.

LW - Gabriel Martinelli, 8

Needed that goal. That was a passionate celebration and he was immediately invigorated after hitting the back of the net. Arsenal need him to find that danger and maintain it in games - that was a purring second half.

ST - Gabriel Jesus, 8

Always seems to be in the right place at the right time at the moment, as is the mark of a true goalscorer. Got his goal to kickstart the Arsenal comeback and looked dangerous all game.

RW - Ethan Nwaneri, 7

Put in a peach of a corner for the second goal, bamboozling Mark Flekken. Capable of a great cross and willing to get the ball in the box. A promising first Premier League start.

Subs - Myles Lewis-Skelly (7), Leandro Trossard (7), Declan Rice (8), Jorginho (8), Oleksandr Zinchenko (6).