Arsenal returned to Premier League action with exactly the kind of authority expected from title leaders, beating Brentford 2–0 at the Emirates and restoring their five-point cushion over Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side controlled the match from the opening whistle to the final spark of added time, blending dominance in possession with sustained pressure and moments of real quality in the final third.
Mikel Merino opened the scoring with a superb header after a smart move involving Ben White and Noni Madueke. From there, Arsenal dictated the rhythm, created the better chances, and survived Brentford’s rare moments of threat including a looping header that clipped the bar thanks to David Raya’s fingertips.
The Gunners were forced to wrestle with yet more injury issues as Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyökeres entered the field to replace Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice. Still, Arsenal’s control rarely dipped.
The second goal arrived late but deservedly, with Merino sliding a clinical pass into Bukayo Saka, who cut inside and finished with his trademark precision. Brentford had no route back from there, and the Emirates settled into the comfortable hum of a title run continuing to build momentum.
Arsenal wasn’t at their ruthless best, but they didn’t need to be. They were in command. They were superior. And once again, they looked like champions elect.
STORY OF THE MATCH:
Arsenal started on the front foot as Martinelli and Madueke stretched Brentford wide, while White and Calafiori combined aggressively to hem the visitors into their own half. Madueke produced the first real opening with a weaving run that forced Kelleher down low.
Ben White then surged into the penalty area and hit the side-netting before Merino made the breakthrough. Madueke’s clever flick released White down the right, and his perfectly measured cross found Merino, whose glancing header sped into the far corner. It was the Spaniard once again stepping up in a big moment.
Brentford responded with their only major chance of the half, a looping header tipped onto the bar by Raya. Still, Arsenal continued to dominate. Martinelli fired over from a central position, Merino volleyed high from the edge of the box, and Madueke was controversially denied a one-on-one when the referee blew for a phantom foul.
Injury frustration followed when Jurrien Timber was thrown into action and Declan Rice later limped off, but Arsenal’s structure never broke. Calafiori stood out defensively, shutting down Brentford counters and keeping the visitors at arm’s length.
The introduction of Eze and Saka sharpened Arsenal instantly. They combined for an early chance before Calafiori forced Kelleher into another strong save. Merino then almost added a second after Rice’s powerful
Calafiori in action
long-range effort was spilled.
It felt inevitable that Arsenal would find another goal, and they did. Merino threaded a superb through ball into Saka, who shifted onto his left and struck low. Kelleher reached it but couldn’t stop it. Arsenal 2–0, match done.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - MIKEL MERINO
He scored the opener with a brilliant guided header, created the winner with an incisive pass, and was at the heart of Arsenal’s best phases of play. His ability to step into pockets, recycle possession, and surge into dangerous areas made him the constant reference point in midfield.
Merino is becoming a defining figure in Arsenal’s season. Tonight he didn’t just impact the game, he controlled it.
Mikel Merino celebrates his goal.