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15y0 Makes History As Arsenal Return To Top Spot

15y0 Makes History As Arsenal Return To Top Spot

Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, while 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made his debut for the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners made three changes from their defeat against Manchester United, as Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey were recalled and Fabio Vieira got his first start while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard were out injured.

Mikel Arteta's charges imposed themselves on Brentford early on and went ahead on 17 minutes after William Saliba flicked a towering header in off the far post from a corner by Bukayo Saka.

The Bees held their own against Arsenal but were undone by another high ball just before the half-hour mark after Gabriel Jesus peeled off on the far side and guided a header past goalkeeper David Raya from a sumptuous lob by Granit Xhaka.

Thomas Frank's men were unable to raise their game going forward in the latter phase of the first stanza, with shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale yet to make a save, as the visitors went to the half-time break with a comfortable two-goal lead.

Arsenal retained their momentum from the break and were out of sight four minutes in after Vieira smashed an incredible strike from range that went in off the post after he was given space to shoot.

The Gunners threatened to run riot as the game opened up and Saka came the closest on 65th minute with a curling strike was parried away by the out-stretched Raya towards the far post.

With the tempo of the game slowing down and Brentford not threatening to come back into the game in the last 12 minutes, Arteta required fresh legs as Eddie Nketiah and Albert Sambi Lokonga both came on for Gabriel Martinelli and Partey up front and in midfield, respectively.

Arsenal sprung to life again after that as Jesus had a big chance to make it 4-0 in the dying minutes after winning a ball off the last defender but his low strike drew an instinctive save from Raya.

The Gunners were home and dry anyway as Arteta handed a debut to Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history.

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