Martin Keown believes his former club Arsenal sent out an important message after coming from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday night.
The Gunners fell behind early on at the Gtech Community Stadium when Bryan Mbeumo beat David Raya at his near post, but the visitors hit back just before the half hour mark through Gabriel Jesus.
Two goals in three second-half minutes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the comeback win for Mikel Arteta’s men, and Keown was impressed by the mettle shown by Arsenal as they closed the gap to league 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 display.
‘They’re alive and kicking, still in this race. At half time 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.
‘That’s the first of nine games in January. League Cup, FA Cup, you name it, they’re in every competition. It keeps the pot boiling now. It puts pressure on Liverpool, over to you. It sends a little message that they’re still in this race.’
Martin Keown feels Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal showed Liverpool they are still in the title race
Arsenal cut the gap to Arne Slot’s Liverpool to six points by beating Brentford 3-1
Gabriel Martinelli got on the scoresheet and revealed Arsenal are working as a team to cover for the loss of the 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 break down Ipswich in a nervy 1-0 win last week, but offered more of a threat in attack this time around.
Martinelli admitted that finding a like-for-like replacement for Saka is impossible, but revealed that Arsenal are determined to step up as a collective unit to cover for the loss of the England international.
‘No one can replace him (Saka), he’s one of the best players in the world, but we know our reputation and we know the team that we have,’ Martinelli said.
‘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.’
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