Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the Premier League table after a composed 2–0 victory over Brentford, with goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka sealing three valuable points at the Emirates Stadium. The win restores the Gunners’ five-point cushion and extends their remarkable unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions.

Manager Mikel Arteta made measured adjustments to his lineup following the high-intensity draw with Chelsea, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Ødegaard. Despite the recent fixture congestion — which also included demanding clashes with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich — Arsenal showed control, maturity, and strong squad depth.

Merino Continues Goal-Scoring Form as Makeshift Striker

With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyökeres all sidelined due to injuries, Mikel Merino has been asked to lead the line in an unfamiliar central attacking role. Far from looking out of place, the Spanish international has been one of Arsenal’s most effective performers in 2025.

It took just 11 minutes for Merino to make an impact. Ben White surged down the right flank and whipped in a precise cross, which Merino expertly guided into the net with a commanding header. The goal was his 13th of the year — more than any other Arsenal player in 2025 — highlighting his growing importance to Arteta’s evolving system.

Merino wasn’t done there. In stoppage time, he slipped a clever pass through Brentford’s back line to set up Bukayo Saka, who calmly finished despite Caoimhin Kelleher’s attempt to keep it out. The ball bounced just over the line, confirming Arsenal’s second goal and Merino’s sixth goal contribution in five games.

Brentford Threaten, But Arsenal Stay in Control

Although Arsenal controlled possession for much of the match, Brentford carried a real threat on set pieces — something both teams excel at. Their best opportunity came in the first half when Kevin Schade rose for a powerful header from a corner. Only a brilliant save from David Raya, tipping the ball onto the crossbar, prevented the visitors from leveling.

The Bees adopted a defensive shape with a back five, using wingers Dango Ouattara and Schade to break quickly on the counter. For stretches of the second half, especially while the score was 1–0, Brentford unsettled the home crowd with determined forward play. However, they were unable to find a breakthrough before Saka’s late strike sealed Arsenal’s victory.

Despite their effort, Brentford continue to struggle on the road. This defeat means they have won just once away from home in the league this season.

Injuries a Concern Despite Arsenal’s Momentum

While the result was positive, Arteta will be frustrated by two new injury worries. Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice both had to come off after picking up knocks, adding to a season already heavily disrupted by fitness issues.

Even so, Arsenal’s resilience continues to shine. Key players such as Rice, Zubimendi, Calafiori, and Ødegaard were kept in the starting XI, and the squad once again showed their ability to adapt and grind out results in difficult circumstances.

Arteta described his team’s performance as “mature”, praising their composure and professionalism after a draining few weeks.

Brentford Show Fight but Fall Short

Brentford manager Keith Andrews acknowledged before kickoff that earning points against the league leaders would be challenging. Still, the Bees approached the match with a clear plan: stay compact defensively and rely on pace during quick transitions.

For large portions of the match, Brentford executed this strategy well. They made Arsenal work for every chance and maintained competitive energy throughout the contest. However, after falling behind early, they never truly found the cutting edge required to turn the match around.

Their inability to convert pivotal moments — particularly the Schade header that struck the bar — ultimately cost them against a highly confident Arsenal side.

Man of the Match: Mikel Merino

Merino’s intelligent movement, aerial dominance, and creativity were crucial once again. With scoring contributions in five straight matches, he continues to shine in a difficult emergency role.