Arsenal re-extended their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium with goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.
Stand-in striker Merino followed up his equalizer against Chelsea with a header, making it his second successive game, this time taking the lead in the 11th minute from Ben White’s cross.
However, Arsenal were made to strive for victory by a tenacious visiting team and almost leveled the scores in the first half with David Raya’s brilliant effort from Kevin Shade’s header over the bar, before Saka finally added a second goal in the first minute of stoppage time.
Merino’s outstanding goal was matched by substitute Saka’s shot, which crossed the goal line despite a hard save from Caoich Kelleher, making up for a last-minute mistake.
His goal came as a relief to the home fans after a tense second half in which they had to fend off a barrage of Brentford set-pieces, but the night was not without its negatives for the home side.
With first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães already sidelined through injury, the Gunners lost a third centre-back when Cristian Mosquera was forced off in the first half after failing to land the ball.
The 21-year-old was replaced by Julian Timber, who combined with Pierrot Hincapie for the rest of the game, but there was also trouble for Declan Rice, who was sent off in the closing stages and appeared to have put ice on his calf.
The win moved Arsenal back to five points behind second-placed Manchester City, who beat Fulham 5-4 on Tuesday night, while Brentford remained in 13th place.
Analysis: Who is Merino Arsenal’s best striker?
When did Mikel Merino start being seen as a striker who sometimes plays in midfield rather than a midfielder who sometimes fills in? This was just the latest example of the 29-year-old playing that role as a matter of course.
Merino has scored or assisted in five of the six games he has started up front for Arsenal since being drafted back following an injury to Victor Gokeres. In this match he achieved both, heading home for the first goal and sending off Saka for the second.
Mikel Merino scores the first goal from Ben White’s cross
Merino celebrates giving Arsenal the lead
He has scored 21 goals for club and country this year, 11 of which have come this season. His total of 14 headers in all competitions since the start of last term is the most of any Premier League player.
Arsenal have Gokeres and Gabriel Jesus available again, with Kai Havertz right behind them, but they will all struggle to displace Merino, whose value to the team is not limited to goals and assists. His intelligence makes his teammates better.
When he’s not taking chances in the box, he drops into midfield, swapping places with teammates and generally confusing the opposition defence. Since moving up to the front a month ago, Arsenal have scored 15 goals in six games.
Something clicked. And that has a lot to do with merino. A makeshift striker might be the best option in this position at the moment.
“One zero is never enough against Brentford.”
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Mikel Arteta said he was proud and happy for his players after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford, which extended the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League.
Manager Mikel Arteta said he was satisfied and proud of his players for extending their lead at the top of the Premier League.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s always unpleasant because all Brentford needs is a throw and it’s chaos and adventure.
“One zero is never enough against them, but I thought we dominated the game and created the best chances.
“Overall I’m very happy. After a week, three days without recovery… I’m very proud of the players to be able to do it again.”
ANDREWS: I’ll take something out of the game another day.
Meanwhile, it was Brentford’s fifth loss in six away games.
Bee boss Keith Andrews said: “Plans don’t always work out.
“We should have done better because we conceded a goal early on. After that I felt they didn’t have many clear chances and we settled into the game and made things uncomfortable for them.”
“We gave a good account of ourselves and I’m proud of our performance.”
