Mikel Arteta made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Sunday, with Ben White, Noni Madueke and club captain Martin Odegaard coming in to replace Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Saka.
In typical fashion of late, Mikel Merino continued to prove a fine deputy for the role of Arsenal’s centre-forward with his second goal in the space of three days.
The Spaniard made his way into the Brentford box and planted a deft header past Caoimhin Kelleher from Ben White’s cross after outstanding work in the build-up from Noni Madueke.
The visitors might have drawn level just minutes later were it not for the brilliant reflexes of David Raya, who expertly tipped Kevin Schade’s bullet header onto the crossbar and away from danger.
Arteta’s side was then dealt another major injury blow as Cristhian Mosquera went down with what looked like an ankle injury after landing awkwardly. Already rocked by the loss of William Saliba and Gabriel in recent weeks, Arteta made the decision to withdraw the Spain U21 international and replace him with Jurrien Timber.
Noni Madueke, who recently returned from a two-month injury lay-off, looked dangerous all evening as he looked to get the better of Bees’ left-back Rico Henry. The former Chelsea was twice able to get beyond the Brentford defender in the first half but was denied both times by Kelleher.
Arsenal huffed and puffed for the majority of both halves but were ultimately stifled by Brentford’s stern defensive unit. Both Rico Henry and Michael Kayode stayed high and wide and continuously looked a threat on the break.
Kayode’s long throw has been the topic of conversation around Brentford’s set pieces all season long, and the Bees’ right-back looked to utilise his unique weapon to pressurise the unfamiliar Gunners defence by launching the ball directly under David Raya’s crossbar.
Brentford came out for the second half looking likely to level the scores. A wave of attacks from Keith Andrews’ side had Arsenal looking worried at times, although the centre-back pairing of Piero Hincapie and Timber stood firm to deny the Bees a way back into the game.
Mikel Arteta then opted to bring Eze and Saka on to offer the Gunners some more fluidity in the final third. The England duo both started at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Saka notching his first Premier League assist of the season, whilst Eze was still oozing confidence following his sensational north London derby hat-trick against Spurs a week earlier.
Saka had a late opportunity to put the seal on the win but scuffed his shot after impressive skill from Riccardo Calafiori to open up the space – although the Arsenal substitute managed to keep his focus to add a late second.
Mikel Merino was left alone in the middle of the Brentford half following a break in play as he fed Saka, who found himself in acres of space. The Arsenal star then cut back onto his left before taking his shot at Kelleher, who could only push the ball up into the air before it bounced over the line to give Arteta’s side a hard-fought victory.