Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka found the net as Arsenal overcame Brentford to reclaim their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table.

Manager Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that drew with Chelsea, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Odegaard.

The opener came in the 11th minute when White linked up with Madueke before delivering a cross that Merino, filling in up front, headed home.

With injuries sidelining Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyokeres, Merino has stepped up as Arsenal’s makeshift striker. His goal marked his 13th of 2025 – the highest by any Arsenal player this year.

Bukayo Saka sealed the win in stoppage time, latching onto a through ball from Mikel Merino and slotting past Caoimhin Kelleher, with the ball bouncing over the line despite the keeper’s effort to stop it.

Brentford spent much of the match on the back foot but nearly drew level in the first half when Kevin Schade’s header from a corner was tipped onto the crossbar by David Raya.

The only concern for Mikel Arteta was the forced substitutions of Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice due to injury knocks.

The result extends Arsenal’s unbeaten streak to 18 games in all competitions and marks their eighth consecutive home win.