Arsenal stay five points clear as Merino, Saka sink Brentford 2-0

Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka were on target as Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race with a routine 2–0 win over Brentford.

Unlike Manchester City’s chaotic 5–4 victory at Fulham 24 hours earlier, this was business as usual at the Emirates.

According to ESPN, Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions, secured an eighth straight home win and another clean sheet, and restored their five-point cushion at the top.

With his side having faced Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea over the past week, manager Mikel Arteta rested Saka, Jurriën Timber and Eberechi Eze.

The rotation paid off after just 11 minutes, with the fit-again Noni Madueke combining with Ben White down the right.

White, making his first Premier League appearance since the opening day, lifted a cross for Merino to power home a header — his second goal in as many games and fourth since being pushed into an emergency striker role following Viktor Gyökeres’ injury.

Madueke forced a save from Caoimhín Kelleher as Arsenal dominated early on. Brentford almost levelled, though, when David Raya — playing against his former club — tipped Kevin Schade’s header onto the crossbar.

Arsenal continued to threaten, but suffered a setback before half-time when centre-back Cristhian Mosquera limped off, joining Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba on the injury list.

Kelleher twice denied Arsenal after the break, saving from Riccardo Calafiori and then producing an excellent stop from Declan Rice.

Rice was eventually replaced by Gyökeres with 10 minutes remaining, Merino dropping back into midfield.

Saka made the points safe in stoppage time when his shot looped in despite Kelleher getting a hand to it.

Arsenal’s title charge continues with momentum intact — and another routine win at home.

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