Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a composed 2–0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions and showcasing once again the professionalism and resilience that have marked their season under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners made three changes from the side that drew with Chelsea, with Ben White, Noni Madueke and captain Martin Ødegaard returning to the starting XI. Despite the heavy recent schedule, Arteta resisted the urge for sweeping rotation, keeping key midfielders Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Riccardo Calafiori in the side as Arsenal sought to maintain momentum at the top of the table.
Their approach was rewarded after just 11 minutes. White, restored at right-back, surged forward and combined neatly with Madueke before sending in an arcing cross. Mikel Merino, continuing as Arsenal’s makeshift centre-forward amid injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres, rose superbly to head into the bottom corner. The goal reflected Merino’s growing influence: it was his 13th in 2025, more than any other Arsenal player this calendar year.
Brentford arrived at the Emirates with a clear plan, reverting to a back five under manager Keith Andrews in an attempt to frustrate the league leaders and use the counter-attacking pace of Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade. For periods, their strategy worked. Arsenal dominated possession but were not always incisive, while Brentford’s threat from set pieces remained evident.
The visitors came closest to equalising shortly before half-time. Schade met a corner with a glancing header that looked destined for the net until David Raya, facing his former club, reacted brilliantly to tip the ball onto the crossbar. It was the closest Brentford came in a first half where they were largely pinned back but remained competitive.
Arsenal controlled much of the second half, though the match lacked urgency for long spells as Arteta’s side focused on managing the game rather than overwhelming Brentford. The Emirates grew tense, especially after Cristhian Mosquera and Rice were forced off with knocks, adding to the Gunners’ mounting injury list.
Merino, however, continued to be the standout performer. His hold-up play, movement and intelligence between the lines caused persistent problems for Brentford’s back line. His influence was further underlined deep into stoppage time when he sprang from midfield and threaded a measured through-ball into the path of substitute Bukayo Saka.
Saka still had plenty to do, racing into the box and squeezing a low shot beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. The Brentford goalkeeper got a hand to it, but the ball looped over him and bounced across the line to seal the victory. It was Saka’s sixth goal contribution in his last five games and another reminder of his growing maturity as a match-winner.
Brentford showed more enterprise late on, pushing forward in search of an equaliser and forcing Arsenal into several hurried clearances. Yet despite their improved second-half intent and a disciplined defensive display, they lacked the precision in the final third to punish the league leaders. Their away form remains a concern—just one league win on the road this season—and this match reinforced both their potential and their limitations.
For Arsenal, this was not one of the most explosive performances of the season, but it was the kind of controlled, professional display that defines title contenders. With a difficult run of fixtures behind them and injuries continuing to mount, Arteta will be pleased with the maturity, depth and mentality his side demonstrated.
Merino’s impact, both as an emergency striker and as a creative presence, continues to be one of the team’s most compelling storylines of the campaign. His performance—one goal, one assist, and dominant influence—made him the deserved man of the match and a symbol of Arsenal’s adaptability during a demanding period.
Three points, another clean sheet, and a five-point lead: a job done with authority.
