Brentford v Arsenal: Ethan Nwaneri shines in win as Arteta admits Gunners' preparation 'wasn't ideal'

Sickness bug sweeps through Arsenal squad forcing manager Mikel Arteta to send Kai Havertz home and start Declan Rice on the bench in 3-1 win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, centre right, congratulates William Saliba after the win at Brentford. Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted a sickness bug that had infected his squad before Wednesday's win at Brentford "wasn't ideal" but was encouraged by the spirit of his players exemplified by the performance of 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

The Gunners came from a goal down to complete a 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium to move back up to second and six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool to keep their title dream alive.

Bryan Mbeumo struck for Brentford on 13 minutes before David Raya nearly gift-wrapped the hosts a second when he allowed Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot to slip through his grasp

Gabriel Jesus headed Arsenal back on level terms – the Brazilian’s sixth goal in four matches – and Mikel Merino then put the visitors ahead after 50 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli added a third with Nwaneri – the teenager handed his first Premier League start in place of the injured Bukayo Saka – involved in both goals.

Arteta revealed several of his players were struck down by a virus on the eve of the game, with Kai Havertz sent home with the bug, while Declan Rice was a surprise starter on the bench.

Captain Martin Odegaard was rumoured to be struggling in the hours ahead of kick off. However, he was able to start the fixture before he was replaced in the second period.

“It affected players on the pitch and off the pitch,” said Arteta when quizzed about the bug. “It is nothing serious. But it wasn’t the ideal situation. In relation to the symptoms, with Kai it was obvious. He wasn’t feeling well at all. He had very clear symptoms so stay away from it, put him in a car, and go back to London.

“These things happen. In this period, there are always things thrown at you, infections, viruses, so I try to delay the line-up as late as possible because you can get up in the morning and unfortunately have a surprise like this.”

Arteta is hopeful the virus will have abated for his side’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, but it provided another selection headache for the Spaniard with star man Saka already ruled out for two months.

Arteta continued: “We went a goal down so it becomes a big mountain to climb, but the team showed composure and they were emotionally very calm. We deserved to win the game.

Ethan Nwaneri, 17, was handed his Premier League debut at Brentford and helped inspire Arsenal's comeback win. Getty Images

“We had a little issue [with the bug] and the team still performs and we had a 17-year-old [Nwaneri] in that starting line-up and it is great to see how he played with that courage and determination.

“In that position it wasn’t because of the bug but because he was the best player in that position to start the game.

“He made his debut here [against Brentford in 2023] and then today he made his full Premier League debut. Sometimes that feeling comes in and you feel it is the right one.”

Brentford remain in 12th but Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “I go into every game and I believe we can win and the way the team played today they showed they believe, too.

“But we are competing against a team that is fighting for the title so it is not a massive surprise we lost today. Hopefully we can get better and improve and I am confident we will win games.”