Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Brentford that was more workmanlike than spectacular, but underlined their growing resilience in the title race. An early header from Mikel Merino and a stoppage-time strike from substitute Bukayo Saka proved enough on a night when the league leaders were again stretched by injuries and a spirited visiting side.
While Manchester City’s chaotic 5-4 win at Fulham, 24 hours earlier, had briefly tightened the gap, Arsenal responded with a controlled, if occasionally nervy, display at the Emirates. Brentford’s set-piece threat, most notably through Kevin Schade’s first-half header against the bar, ensured the contest remained in the balance until Saka’s late goal finally settled nerves at home and extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions.
Early fluency gives Arsenal the platform.
Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that drew with Chelsea, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke and captain Martin Ødegaard, while resting Saka, Jurriën Timber and Eberechi Eze after a gruelling week that had included Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Brentford manager Keith Andrews, who had warned beforehand that taking anything from the league leaders would be a "tough task", responded with five changes of his own and a switch to a back five, aiming to frustrate Arsenal and spring forward through the pace of Dango Ouattara and Schade.