Arsenal vs Brentford: Gunners increase gap at the top to six points after derby win

Thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win over Brentford to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.

One goal in each half was enough for the Gunners to sidestep their London neighbours as they march on towards their first Premier League title in 21 years.

Despite Mikel Arteta rotating his squad, it took only 11 minutes for the breakthrough, as Noni Madueke’s clever flick sent Ben White overlapping to deliver a cross that Mikel Merino headed in.

Madueke threatened again soon after, but Caoimhin Kelleher saved well before Brentford grew into the game, forcing David Raya into a superb tip onto the crossbar from Kevin Schade’s header.

Rico Henry then made two crucial interventions to stop Madueke from extending Arsenal’s lead just before the break.

Brentford carried that momentum into the second half, increasing tension inside the Emirates as Igor Thiago entered the pitch with the Bees pushing for an equaliser.

Arteta responded with attacking changes of his own, introducing Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal regained control, testing Kelleher through Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice, before Merino missed a big chance on the rebound.

The pressure eventually told when Saka, who had been criticised in recent weeks, stayed onside to fire past Kelleher despite the keeper’s touch to make it 2-0.

The victory restored Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, extending Arteta’s unbeaten run in this fixture to nine matches, while Brentford’s London derby struggles continued.