Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2–0 win over Brentford at the Emirates, a result that reflects how fully the team controlled the match from start to finish. Merino, once again decisive in the air, scored the opener and Saka wrapped it up late, sealing a mature performance that strengthens the team’s momentum in the league.
Merino scores with a header and Madueke changes the pace on the right side
The match opened with Arsenal pressing without hesitation. In the 11th minute, Madueke flicked a quick backheel that broke the defensive line and opened space for White on the right. His cross found Merino perfectly and the midfielder headed it down with conviction, confirming why he leads the Premier League in headed goals since last season. Eight of his fourteen goals in that span came from headers, a number that’s no coincidence.
After the goal, Arsenal kept pushing Brentford back. Madueke bothered Rico Henry throughout the first half, sometimes accelerating, sometimes drawing defenders, always creating openings. Martinelli looked sharp from mid-range, Rice distributed the ball naturally and Calafiori joined the attack often on the left side. Brentford’s only real threat came on a corner, when Schade rose high and forced Raya to tip the ball off the crossbar. Other than that, Brentford produced very little.
Control in the second half and the impact of the substitutes
The second half began at a calmer pace, but Arsenal maintained territorial control. Kelleher stopped low shots from Calafiori and Rice, and Merino almost scored again on the rebound. The crowd tensed up when Rice left the field limping after a knock, though the team didn’t lose its rhythm. Moments later, Arteta sent on Eze and Saka and the attack picked up speed again.
The second goal came from one of those more direct plays. Merino found Saka entering the box, the forward cut inside and finished the play and Kelleher even got a hand on the shot but couldn’t keep it out.
Numbers highlight Arsenal’s form
The win extended their strong run at the Emirates with four straight Premier League victories something they hadn’t done since April 2024. The most impressive stat, though, is the defensive solidity eight of the team’s ten league wins this season have come without conceding.
On the other side, Brentford continues to struggle away from home with six losses in their first seven away matches repeating a pattern that hadn’t appeared since the 1920.