Player Ratings: Mikel Merino scores again as Arsenal beat Brentford

Arsenal Extend Lead with Confident 2-0 Win over Brentford

Arsenal kept their grip on the Premier League summit with a composed and calculated 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium. The leaders controlled long periods of the contest, managed the tempo intelligently and found the late spark required to quieten a spirited second half from the visitors. For Arsenal, nights like this matter. These are the fixtures that test title-winning rhythms, especially when the opposition arrive with renewed purpose after the interval.

Keith Andrews’ Brentford enjoyed one of their brighter spells immediately after half-time. Kevin Schade’s close-range header, tipped onto the upright by David Raya, was their standout moment and signalled a brief shift in momentum. Yet it faded quickly. Arsenal adjusted well, introduced fresh quality from the bench and restored control. Bukayo Saka eventually settled matters in stoppage time when Caoimhin Kelleher failed to deal with his effort and pushed it into the net.

The victory owed much to Arsenal’s structure. Their passing sequences, particularly through the middle, regularly nudged Brentford’s block backwards. Players drifted between lines, creating overloads and forcing the visitors to defend deeper than they wanted. Andrews attempted to shake things up with all five substitutions, but the changes never quite established sustained pressure.

Arsenal Performance Overview

For Arsenal, this match showed a familiar pattern. Patience in possession, width provided by Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, and midfield control driven by Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. Even when several key chances went begging, there was no panic. The late goal simply confirmed a performance that deserved breathing space.

Photo: IMAGO

Brentford’s Resistance and Shortcomings

Brentford worked hard without truly threatening often enough. Their defensive trio saw plenty of action but struggled with Arsenal’s movement. There were notable individual contributions, yet the collective unit lacked cohesion in key moments. The midfield, usually a source of energy and recovery, lost possession too frequently, inviting pressure rather than relieving it.

Player Ratings

Arsenal Player Ratings

David Raya 7

Ben White 9

Cristhian Mosquera 6

Piero Hincapie 6

Riccardo Calafiori 7

Martin Zubimendi 7

Declan Rice 7

Martin Odegaard 6

Noni Madueke 7

Mikel Merino 8

Gabriel Martinelli 6

Jurrien Timber 6

Eberechi Eze 6

Bukayo Saka 7

Viktor Gyokeres 6

Manager Mikel Arteta 7

Brentford Player Ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher 5

Ethan Pinnock 5

Kristoffer Ajer 5

Sepp van den Berg 6

Michael Kayode 7

Mathias Jensen 5

Yehor Yarmoliuk 6

Rico Henry 7

Kevin Schade 6

Dango Ouatarra 5

Igor Thiago 5

Jordan Henderson 5

Nathan Collins 5

Keane Lewis-Potter 5

Keith Andrews 5