Mikel Arteta wanted to send a warning to Liverpool that Arsenal can push them all the way for the Premier League title and this was evidence that they mean business. Facing a Brentford side boasting the division’s best home record and trailing to an early Bryan Mbeumo strike, Arsenal hit back with goals from Gabriel Jesus – his sixth in his past four games – Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli to ensure that they moved to within six points of Arne Slot’s side.

It was far from a perfect performance from Arsenal that once again needed a goal from a corner – their 10th of the season – to settle their nerves. But having now gone 11 matches in all competitions without defeat and with the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri making another big impression on his first Premier League start, Arteta will sense that their momentum is slowly building.