AP, LONDON
Arsenal on Wednesday were back into second place in the Premier League and in no rush to add players in the transfer window.
Mikel Arteta’s team beat Brentford 3-1 to leapfrog Nottingham Forest and close the gap on league leaders Liverpool to six points.
“If there’s an opportunity, we’ll look at it,” Arteta said of this month’s window. “I really like my players. I really value what we have, because it’s a lot of quality and a lot of commitment from all of them.”
Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter, left, and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal vie for the ball during their Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Wednesday.
Photo: AFP
That includes 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who got his first Premier League start in place of the injured Bukayo Saka. The teenager was involved in second-half goals by Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli.
Bryan Mbeumo put the home team ahead in the 13th minute at the Gtech Community Stadium, but Gabriel Jesus made it 1-1 just before the half-hour mark — his sixth goal in his past four games.
Merino scored in the 50th minute and Martinelli added a third three minutes later.
It was Arsenal’s second straight win without Saka, who is likely to be sidelined until at least March. The England winger tore his right hamstring in a 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on Dec. 21.
Arsenal extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions.
Liverpool have a game in hand on the Gunners, who are to play against Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow.
Liverpool are to host Manchester United on Sunday.
Brentford remained in 12th place and have lost three of their past four Premier League matches.
Several Arsenal players were dealing with a virus before and during the game.
Kai Havertz was sent home, while Declan Rice only entered the game as a substitute in the 78th minute.
