Merino and Saka Strike as Arsenal Extend Lead and Unbeaten Run
Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka found the net as Arsenal defeated Brentford to restore their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta made three changes from Sunday’s draw with Chelsea, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Ødegaard.
The breakthrough came early. In the 11th minute, White and Madueke linked up down the right before White delivered a pinpoint cross for makeshift striker Merino, who headed Arsenal in front.
With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyökeres all sidelined, Merino has been forced to spearhead Arsenal’s attack—and his goal was his 13th of 2025, more than any Arsenal player this year.
Saka doubled the lead in stoppage time, racing onto a through-ball from Merino. His shot squeezed past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and bounced over the line to seal the win.
Brentford spent much of the match pinned back but almost equalised when Kevin Schade’s header from a corner was pushed onto the bar by David Raya.
The only downside for Arsenal was injuries: both Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice were forced off with knocks.
With this win, Arsenal extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches and make it eight straight home victories.
Arsenal analysis: A composed and professional performance
After high-intensity encounters with Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, this Brentford fixture was always going to present a different challenge.
Arteta chose not to heavily rotate and kept core players like Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Riccardo Calafiori in the starting lineup.
Merino retained his place up front and delivered again with an important first-half header. He later assisted Saka’s goal—his sixth goal contribution in five matches (three goals, three assists).
Injuries have plagued Arsenal all season, and the knocks to Mosquera and Rice add to the concerns. But once again, the team found a way to take three points and maintain momentum.
Brentford analysis: Determined effort, but not enough to trouble Arsenal
Brentford manager Keith Andrews admitted before kickoff that getting a result at Arsenal would be a “tough task,” but his side worked hard to make life difficult for the league leaders.
Andrews made five changes and switched to a back five, aiming to frustrate Arsenal and break forward quickly through the speed of Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade.
Along with Arsenal, Brentford are one of the division’s most dangerous sides from set pieces, and Schade’s header—tipped onto the crossbar by Raya—could have changed the match.
They improved after the break and caused some nervous moments while the score remained 1–0.
However, they couldn’t find an equaliser, and Saka’s late goal ended any hope of a comeback. The result means Brentford still have just one away win in the league this season.