Arsenal re-established their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a composed but hard-earned 2–0 victory over a stubborn Brentford side at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to goals from the in-form Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.
Merino — deputising up front once again during Viktor Gyökeres’ recovery — continued his remarkable run as Arsenal’s makeshift centre-forward, scoring for the second game in a row and playing a crucial role in the Gunners’ late second. Saka, after missing a golden chance moments earlier, finally doubled the lead in stoppage time to settle an increasingly nervy evening in north London.
Arsenal struck first just 11 minutes in.
Ben White, marauding down the right, whipped in a teasing delivery, and Merino, timing his run like a natural No. 9, steered a smart header past Caoimhín Kelleher. It was a goal straight out of the striker’s handbook — movement, positioning, and precision — from a player who only recently returned to the role in emergency circumstances. His transformation has been astonishing: five goal contributions in six starts up front, and 21 goals for club and country in the calendar year.
Merino’s positional evolution as “one of the most unexpected success stories of the season,” and his aerial dominance continues to set him apart: 14 headed goals since the start of last season — more than any Premier League player. But despite the early breakthrough, the Gunners were soon made aware that Brentford had no intention of playing the role of bystanders.
Brentford grew steadily into the contest, feeding off their trademark set-piece and direct threat. And they nearly levelled before the break. Kevin Schade rose sharply at the back post and powered a header toward goal — only for former Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to claw it onto the underside of the bar in a breathtaking reflex stop. It was the moment that kept Arsenal in the lead and preserved the game’s storyline heading into a tense second half. But Arsenal’s evening then took an unexpected turn.
Already without their first-choice pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal were dealt another blow when Cristhian Mosquera landed awkwardly and had to be substituted.
That forced Jurrien Timber, still acclimatising after long-term injury, into an improvised partnership with Piero Hincapié. A potential late scare also arose when Declan Rice came off with ice strapped to his calf — something Mikel Arteta later downplayed but will undoubtedly concern supporters. The patched-up back line invited further Brentford pressure, turning the match into a battle of nerve and aerial defence.
As the game wore on, Arsenal found themselves repeatedly pushed back by Brentford’s relentless throw-ins, long balls and corners — “chaos by design,” as Arteta called it. The visitors racked up dangerous deliveries, but Arsenal’s makeshift defence held firm, with Timber and Hincapié producing several key interventions. Then, just as Arsenal fans began to fear a late sting, Merino produced another moment of intelligence. Breaking between lines, he slid Bukayo Saka through on goal in stoppage time. Saka’s initial effort struck Kelleher and looped agonisingly toward the line before dropping in — a welcome reward after he had missed a gilt-edged chance just two minutes earlier.
Relief washed around the Emirates.
Brentford’s resistance was finally broken.
What began as a stopgap measure has turned into one of Arsenal’s defining tactical shifts of the season, since Merino stepped up… Arsenal have scored 15 goals in six games, Merino has contributed either a goal or assist in five of his six starts up front. He now looks less like a midfielder covering up top — and far more like Arsenal’s most complete striking option. Even with Gyökeres, Gabriel Jesus, and soon Havertz available, prising Merino out of that starting XI suddenly looks extremely difficult.
Arsenal restore their five-point lead over Manchester City, Brentford remain 13th, competitive but inconsistent.
As Arsenal eye another title push, their most important attacking weapon might just be the midfielder-turned-forward who refuses to stop scoring.
