Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka guided Arsenal to a calm 2-0 win over Brentford. The result stretched their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions and kept them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal opened the scoring in the first half. Noni Madueke linked well with Ben White on the right. White then sent a fine cross into the box. Merino met it with a strong header that bounced into the net. It was his second goal in two games and his fifth of the season.
Madueke looked sharp in his first start since September. He tested Rico Henry again and again. He also forced a smart save from Caoimhin Kelleher. At the other end, Brentford almost hit back from a corner. Kevin Schade rose highest, but David Raya tipped his header onto the bar with a brilliant stop.
Arsenal kept pushing. Riccardo Calafiori joined the attack and set up White with a clever backheel. White found Gabriel Martinelli, but the forward sent his shot over the bar. Moments later, Declan Rice drilled a low cross into the box. Madueke met it well, but Henry blocked the effort from close range.
Brentford tried to create pressure with corners and long throws. Raya handled the danger with safe hands as Arsenal held their lead.
Arsenal brought on Eberechi Eze and Saka after the hour mark. Their arrival added more energy. A loose ball fell to Calafiori, who fired low, but Kelleher pushed it away again. Merino then tried at the rebound, but slipped as he struck it.
Rice also tried his luck from distance. Kelleher saved once more and pushed the ball out, but Merino could not turn in the follow-up. Calafiori then led a counter and fired hard on goal. Kelleher stopped that too.
The second goal finally came late. Merino played a perfect pass into Saka. The winger cut inside onto his left foot and placed his shot past Kelleher. It sealed the win and gave Arsenal another strong night at home.
