Mikel Arteta's Arsenal extened the gap over Manchester City at the top of the 2025/26 Premier League to five points with a home 2-0 victory over fellow London outfit, Keith Andrews' Brentford, on Wednesday evening. The table-toppers were resolute from start to finish and were seldom troubled by the Bees.
The ball was worked out to the right by Ben White and Noni Madueke. The former, after overlapping the latter with intent, crossed the ball into a congested Brentford box and none other than Mikel Merino rose the highest and connected with the teasing delivery. Advantage Arsenal!
It was, other than Kevin Schade's effort which David Raya tipped onto the upright, a rather routine first half of Premier League football for the Gunners. But the start of the second half was a different kettle of fish, with Brentford looking like an inspired team – but it was all to no avail.
Andrews made full use of his five substitutions by bringing on extra firepower in the second half, too, but so did Arteta with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze. It was the former – having replaced Noni Madueke and missed an earlier chance – who put the match to bed in stoppage time. His effort was poorly dealt with by Caoimhin Kelleher, who palmed it into his own net.
Arsenal vs Brentford – Match Statistics
Arsenal
62
15
7
4
1
0
Match Highlights
Arsenal Player Ratings
arsenal player ratings
GK: David Raya – 7/10
Was forced into making the solitary save in the first half – and what a stop it was as he tipped Schade's close-ranged effort onto the crossbar. Raya remained alert when relied upon, claiming a fair few crosses.
RB: Ben White – 9/10 (Man of the Match)
Hugged the touchline and combined well with Madueke when the ball shifted out to the right-hand side. Was up and down like it was going out fashion and he produced a pretty flawless performance from start to finish.
CB: Cristhian Mosquera – 5/10
Solid in the absence of Arsenal's injured centre-backs, the youngster was calm and composed in possession. Picked up an injury and was forced to be subbed off.
CB: Piero Hincapie – 6/10
Alert to the intricate movements of Schade the majority of the time, Hincapie was heavily involved in possession of the ball. His passing remained
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – 7/10
Equally adept going forward as he was at remaining defensively solid, Calafiori often crept into the midfield to offer a layer of steel to the middle of the park.
CM: Martin Zubimendi – 7/10
A very intelligent display from the Spaniard, Zubimendi looked one step ahead more often than not given he was perennially scanning out of possession.
CM: Declan Rice – 7/10
Rice's passing was kept clean and concise and his drives through the middle of the park allowed Arsenal to retain the upper hand.
CAM: Martin Odegaard – 5/10
Spammed a fair few crosses and lofted balls to very little effect but did float into some nice pockets between the lines. His lackidaisacal nature (at times) offered his teammates very little.
RW: Noni Madueke – 7/10
Missed a gilt-edged chance to put Arsenal two goals ahead in the 37th minute but fluffed his chances under pressure from Henry, but he looked very sharp.
ST: Mikel Merino – 8/10 (Man of the Match)
Opened the goalscoring inside 11 minutes with yet another header, Merino produced another brilliant centre-forward performance by proving a constant threat in the Brentford box and his ball from Saka's goal was pinpoint.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 5/10
Offered very little in terms of an outlet in the first half and should've taken a leaf out of Madueke's book and his poor decision-making, at times, quickly put a stop to Arsenal's attacks. Much livelier in the second half.
Sub: Jurrien Timber (44') – 5/10
On for the injured Mosquera just before half-time, Timber did a fine job.
Sub: Eberechi Eze (61') – 5/10
His liveliness on the left flank helped Arsenal out of their second-half slump.
Sub: Bukayo Saka (61') – 7/10
Rarely involved down the right after his introduction, Saka's influence was restricted given Brentford were in the ascendancy. He had the perfect chance to double his side's lead in the 89th minute, but he fluffed his lines. Made up for his miss just minutes later with Arsenal's second.
Sub: Viktor Gyokeres (83') – 3/10
On for the final ten minutes or so, Gyokeres was barely involved and lacked the moxie and know-how to drop deep and get involved in play.
Brentford Player Ratings
brentford player ratings
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 5/10
Though it did bounce awkwardly, Kelleher may have kicked himself for not doing more to thwart Merino's header in the first half. A few loose touches, too, drew sighs of concern from the visiting supporters.
CB: Ethan Pinnock – 5/10
Beaten in the air by Merino for Arsenal's opening goal, Pinnock should have been more of an aerial presence given his size. On the floor, too, the seasoned defender was shaky.
CB: Kristoffer Ajer – 5/10
Often confused at the back, the lofty defender didn't strike confidence into those operating in front of him. Produced a terrific block in the final moments to deny Saka a near-perfect chance to score from close range.
CB: Sepp van den Berg – 6/10
Let down by his central defensive partners, Van den Berg relieved the never-ending Arsenal pressure with a bucketload of clearances in the first 45. He also launched a handful of
RWB: Michael Kayode – 7/10
A physical presence against Arsenal's left-hand side, Kayode started the second half very well by staying high and wide. When they needed it the most, the Italian provided some guile and excitement from out wide.
CM: Vitaly Janelt – 5/10
Looked leggy against a floating Odegaard and often allowed the Norwegian and his teammates way too much time on the ball. Rightfully subbed on the hour mark.
CM: Mathias Jensen – 5/10
Lost possession way too much as the supposed heartbeat of Brentford, Jensen shuttled acorss the engine room well but was largely anonymous.
CM: Yehor Yarmoliuk – 6/10
A quietly brilliant performance, Yarmoliuk enjoyed very little of the ball but was no stranger to dotting about the engine room to snuff out the danger. Struggled to contain Eze's brilliance when he came on.
LWB: Rico Henry – 7/10
Produced a timely block eight minutes before the half-time interval to deny Madueke. All-action from start to finish, the right-back was one of – if not the – Brentford's best players.
ST: Kevin Schade – 6/10
Too weak in his duels – both aerially and on the ground – against the Arsenal centre-backs. His point-blank header was saved expertly by Raya.
ST: Dango Ouatarra – 5/10
Far too stagnant at the sharp end of Keith Andrews' side, Ouatarra did manage to draw a few fouls with his intelligent movement when dropping deep.
Sub: Mikkel Damsgaard (60') – 5/10
Drove through the middle with intent time and time again, using his fresh legs to full effect.
Sub: Igor Thiago (61') – 5/10
Offered a much more physical presence through the middle, attempting to pounce on scraps and threaten.
Sub: Jordan Henderson (61') – 5/10
Did his very best to control the tempo against Arsenal's midfield constellation.
Sub: Nathan Collins (74') – 3/10
Struggled to match the tempo of the match after entering the fray, Collins was also way too rash in the challenge.
Sub: Keane Lewis-Potter (74') – 2/10
Subbed late on and was seldom involved. Enjoyed a handful of touches.