Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal as they narrowly saw off Brentford at the Emirates Stadium to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal extended their lead at the summit of the Premier League table to five points after securing a challenging 2-0 victory over a “resilient Brentford” side at the Emirates Stadium, according to a report from the Richmond and Twickenham Times.
The win, sealed by goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka, capped off a “great night” for Mikel Arteta’s side, although they were forced to “make hard work of it.”
The home side took the lead after just 11 minutes. Merino converted a header past Caoimhín Kelleher following a precise first-time cross from Ben White, who had been set up by a clever pass from Noni Madueke.
Madueke, starting “in for Bukayo Saka,” was a threat in attack and tested Kelleher again soon after, forcing a save on a “tame effort” after jinking past several defenders.
Brentford, who played an “understrength XI,” created a “glorious opportunity to equalise” when Kevin Schade’s header was “superbly tipped on to the bar” by former teammate David Raya.
Arsenal had chances to double their lead earlier, including a Declan Rice low cross that was superbly intercepted by Rico Henry, and subsequent rebounds that Merino and Saka were “somehow unable to turn in.”
Saka ultimately secured the victory, making amends when his shot “went looping in over Kelleher, who got a hand to his effort.”
Brentford can “take solace” from pushing the Gunners despite the loss, a result witnessed by an attendance of 60,110.