**Arsenal:** Raya, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Merino
**Subs:** Kepa, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Eze, Saka, Jesus, Gyokeres
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League back to five points after beating Brentford 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that drew against Chelsea on Sunday, with Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke replacing Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Saka.
William Saliba failed to make the matchday squad for the second successive game due to an ankle knock suffered in training.
**FIRST HALF**
The opening stages were as expected, with Arsenal dominating possession and Brentford sitting deep in their back five formation but Arteta’s men were moving the ball sharply and broke the deadlock after 11 minutes.
Noni Madueke showed quick feet (and thinking) to free Ben White on the overlap, whose cross was met by Mikel Merino who got across Ethan Pinnock and headed a bullet header down into the ground and beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. [1-0](https://streamin.me/v/wuiwij8l).
It was a nostalgic Arsenal goal with White flexing his attacking muscles with Merino showing great centre forward instincts to get ahead of the big defender – and just the start this team needed.
Madueke continued to look sharp early doors and showed great feet to dip inside Rico Henry but his snapshot was well saved by Kelleher.
Having barely ventured outside their own half up until that point, Brentford had a golden chance to equalise when Kevin Schade powered a free header towards goal from six yards out but David Raya was needed at his best to tip onto the bar.
There was a surprisingly quick tempo to the game (maybe influenced by the various changes?) and Martinelli was next to fire over after White combined nicely with Calafiori in the penalty box, who briefly popped up as the auxiliary centre forward from left back.
Moments later, Declan Rice almost found Madueke at the back post but his cross was well intercepted by Henry, before the former Chelsea winger was played through by Mosquera but he took too long to get his shot off – and was stopped again by Henry.
Just before half time, Arsenal found themselves dealing with yet another injury-enforced change after Mosquera went down following an innocuous challenge with Kevin Schade. It looked like he landed awkwardly after jumping for a header, with Jurrien Timber coming on to replace him.
Interestingly, it was Timber asked to partner Hincapie in the centre of defence instead of moving White back inside – which was probably a note to the pace of Brentford in behind.
**SECOND HALF**
Brentford started the second half strongly and won a few corners in quick succession, with the hosts unable to string any meaningful spells of possession together.
Arsenal did eventually settle but the game was becoming increasingly open, and both managers looked to make changes with Arteta bringing Saka and Eberechi Eze on for Madueke and Martinelli. Keith Andrews opted for Igor Thiago, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson.
Those changes helped Arteta’s men gain a bit more control and they should have doubled their lead when Rice saw a shot from the edge of the box parried away, only for Merino to fluff what looked like an easy rebound.
With the clock ticking down, the Emirates crowd was becoming increasingly nervy with this one-goal lead looking more fragile by the minute. Brentford weren’t exactly blowing the house down but all it would take is one opportunity.
With five minutes remaining, there was more concern on the injury front when Rice went down and pointed to his calf while undergoing treatment, before he was quickly replaced by Viktor Gyokeres. Hopefully it’s just cramp and nothing more serious.
Arsenal should have wrapped up all three points when Calafiori went on another mazy run and saw his effort saved by Kelleher, with Saka (like Merino) tripping his over his own feet and failing to finish another easy rebound.
But Saka did eventually get their second after he was played through by Merino, before cutting inside two Brentford defenders and squeezing a finish beyond Kelleher who got enough behind his shot – but not enough to prevent it going over the line. [2-0](https://streamin.me/v/u4yln8dc).
You could feel the collective relief in the stadium (and on the touchline) as Arsenal secured a crucial three points, extending their lead back to five points after City’s goal-crazy win over Fulham the night before.
There will be an anxious wait on Rice and Mosquera ahead of what will be a difficult trip to Villa Park on Saturday – but for now it’s job done.