Arsenal vs Brentford – Saka, Merino score as Gunners beat Brentford to strengthen Premier League lead

Arsenal regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after Mikel Merino’s early goal and a late strike from substitute Bukayo Saka earned an efficient 2-0 home win over Brentford on Wednesday.

Spaniard Merino headed in after 11 minutes from Ben White’s cross as the hosts extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18, but it was a night of grit and nerves as Brentford pushed hard.

Kevin Schade hit the crossbar in the first half for the well-drilled visiting side, and Arsenal looked struggling after the break until Saka allayed the growing sense of fear in the opening minute of stoppage time.

It was far from fluid from Mikel Arteta’s side and suffered some injuries. But he doesn’t really care as his team has moved to 33 points from fourteen games, with Manchester City on 28.

“We had a very demanding week and we still performed as we did against a super well-organised team,” said Arteta.

«It’s always awkward because all Brentford needs is a throw and it’s chaos. One clean sheet is never enough against them but I thought we dominated the game and created the biggest chances.»

The contrast between the way City won 5-4 at Fulham the night before, after being 5-1 up, and the way Arsenal got the job done against Brentford could not have been greater.

It also perfectly illustrated why many believe this will be the season Arsenal finally lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.

While City struggled with danger in a memorably wild and wonderful Craven Cottage game, Arsenal, even without injured centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, were a model of control and efficiency against dangerous opposition.

Merino’s goal was one of the few moments of real quality. A patient build-up from Arsenal eventually put the ball at the feet of Noni Madueke, and his clever tap released White, who made the perfect cross for Merino to head home.

Arsenal dominated the first half but were given a warning shot when Schade met a corner with a header, which home keeper David Raya did brilliantly by turning onto the crossbar.

Gabriel Martinelli shot over the bar and Madueke twice got into good positions, but was eliminated by Rico Henry’s tackles.

Brentford grew in stature after the break, and when manager Keith Andrews brought on Brazilian powerhouse Igor Thiago on the hour mark with 11 goals, along with Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson – all three surprisingly left out of the starting line-up – the tension around the stadium rose.

But Arsenal dealt calmly with Brentford’s flurry of crosses and long throw-ins, and Saka finally wrapped it up with a shot on the turn that Caoimhin Kelleher partially saved but could not stop from crossing the line.

The only concern for Arsenal was the sight of defender Cristhian Mosquera limping off, followed later by Declan Rice, who put in another energetic display in midfield.

«We’ll know more tomorrow. They need to be tested. Declan had to come off… let’s see who’s available,» Arteta said.

The games are coming up for Arsenal, with a trip to third-placed Aston Villa on Saturday.

Brentford, which is 13th with 19 points, has another appointment in North London on Saturday, at Tottenham Hotspur.

Published on December 4, 2025