Arsenal 2-0 Brentford: Merino shines and Saka scores to secure 3pts for Gunners

Arsenal reopened their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

Match Report

Stand-in striker Merino scored for a second consecutive game as he followed up his equaliser against Chelsea with another header, this time to open the scoring from Ben White's cross in the 11th minute.

But Arsenal were made to work for the win by the dogged visitors, who almost levelled when David Raya brilliantly diverted a first-half Kevin Schade header onto the bar before Saka finally added the second in the first minute of stoppage time.

Played in on goal by the excellent Merino, substitute Saka saw his shot loop over the line despite Caoimhin Kelleher's efforts to save it, making amends for a gilt-edged miss moments earlier.

His goal came as a relief to the home fans after some nervy moments earlier in the second half as Brentford subjected the hosts to a barrage of set-pieces, but the night was not without negatives for the hosts.

With first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes already missing through injury, the Gunners lost a third centre-back when Cristhian Mosquera had to be withdrawn following an awkward landing in the first period.

The 21-year-old was replaced by Timber, who partnered Piero Hincapie for the remainder of the game, but there was also a scare involving Declan Rice, who appeared to have ice on his calf after being withdrawn late on.

The victory sees Arsenal reopen their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who beat Fulham 5-4 on Tuesday, while Brentford stay 13th.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

8' White's pinpoint cross is stopped

11' GOAL! Who else but Mikel Merino! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

17' Kelleher saves from Madueke. He looks in the mood tonight

17' Ben White into the side netting

20' Ben White makes a great defending

21' Schade hits the woodwork for the visitors. It is a brilliant save by Raya

27' Some good football by Arsenal but Martinelli blasts it over the Brentford goal

37' Madueke has his latest shot blocked. Another Arsenal corner

44' Mosquera on the deck receiving treatment. This does not look good

54' Highlight from Arsenal vs Brentford

60' Brentford subs: OFF Janelt / Jensen / Schade ON Henderson / Thiago / Damsgaard

61' Martinelli, Madueke off, Saka, Eze on

66' Calafiori forces Kelleher into a save

69' Kelleher with another great save from Rice. Merino messes up the rebound

82' Declan Rice down receiving treatment

89' Calafiori forces another great save from Kelleher

91' Merino threads it through and Saka fires it home! Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

Line-ups

Arsenal XI: David Raya, Ødegaard, Merino, Rice, Ben White, Martín Zubimendi, Martinelli, Madueke, Calafiori, Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera

Subs: Christian Nørgaard, Kepa, Jesus, Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Saka, Timber, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly

Brentford XI: Kristoffer Ajer, Rico Henry, Kelleher, Mathias Jensen, Janelt, Ethan Pinnock, Van den Berg, Kevin Schade, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Dango Ouattara, Michael Kayode

Subs: Henderson, Frank Onyeka, Hákon Valdimarsson, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter, Nathan Collins, Igor Thiago, Romelle Donovan, Benjamin Arthur