Arsenal showed they can cope without the injured Bukayo Saka as they began the year in style by recovering from an early sucker-punch to beat Brentford 3-1 away and move back into second place in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Forward Saka, arguably Arsenal's most influential player this season, has been ruled out for at least two months after hamstring surgery, dealing a blow to the club's title hopes.
A visit to a Brentford side who have been dominant at home this season felt like a must-win game for Arsenal, but things began badly as Bryan Mbeumo gave the hosts a 13th minute lead with the home side's first attack.