US get better of China in Perth, Arsenal start 2025 with a bang, Rashford hits back

China’s United Cup journey ends at the quarter-final stage, while Arsenal go second in the Premier League with victory at Brentford

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Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after scoring his side’s third against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Photo: AP

Published: 7:30am, 2 Jan 2025

We’re still in that first flush of the new year, and if Wednesday proved a bit too much to handle you might have missed us laying out some resolutions for Hong Kong’s sporting chiefs over the next 12 months.

There was also a handy guide to five big events not to be missed in 2025, including the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the National Games in the city, while Vincent Ho returned from injury to bag two winners at Sha Tin.

On Thursday, the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open continues at Victoria Park ahead of a packed weekend of sport. There was plenty going on overnight as well, and Arsenal is where we will start this look at what happened while you were sleeping.

Who needs Saka anyway?

Arsenal moved back up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday, and closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points.

China’s Zhang Zhizhen serves during his men’s singles match against Taylor Fritz. Photo: Xinhua

It was Arsenal’s second straight win without Bukayo 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 December 21.

In his place, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri got his first start, and was involved in second-half goals scored by Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli, who completed the visitor’s comeback after Bryan Mbeumo gave Brentford a shock lead after 13 minutes. Gabriel Jesus scored his sixth goal in four games to make it 1-1 soon after.

Saka’s injury might tempt some to go shopping in the January transfer window, but Gunners boss Mikel Arteta does not appear to be one of them, only saying that if there was “an opportunity, we’ll look at it. 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”.

Silly season kicks off

And so, the stories start swirling. Transfer windows are notorious for unfounded speculation, rumour being turned into fact, and breathless stories about this player or that being on the verge of a big-money move.