Arsenal 2-0 Brentford
by Layth Yousif 
at Ashburton Grove

GOALS from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka sealed three vital points for the Premier League table toppers as Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the summit. 

Mikel Arteta’s side eased past Keith Andrews Brentford side that appeared to have one eye on their weekend clash with Spurs. 

An early opener from Merino – his fifth in all competitions this season, and a late second from substitute Saka was enough to pull clear of the chasing pack, on a night that saw Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice forced off through injury. 

Speaking after the match, Arteta said of concern over Rice, saying: “He could not carry on playing, so we have to wait and see tomorrow what happens,” adding regarding Mosquera: “We have to wait and see. It’s probably the knee or ankle. We don’t know. He could not really tell us exactly how it was, but he wasn’t able to continue.”

Arteta made three changes from the side that started the 1-1 draw at Chelsea last time out, by resting Eberechi Eze, Saka and Jurrien Timber ahead of a busy festive schedule. Fit again Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus were both back on the bench.

While Bees boss Andrews made five changes to his team, as Brentford lined-up in a back five. Aaron Hickey, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson all dropped out, while Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Vitaly Janelt and Kristoffer Ajer were drafted into the starting XI.

Bustling striker Igor Thiago started on the bench after picking up a knock in the dying moments of the 3-1 win over Burnley at the weekend, in a surprising line-up that the more impish observers asked if Andrews had one eye on Saturday’s eminently more winnable midtable game against struggling Spurs, and the Irishman’s former boss Thomas Frank?

Arsenal came into the match in excellent form, unbeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions, even if Manchester City’s 5-4 victory over Fulham on Tuesday evening cut their lead at the top of the Premier League table to a mere two points at kick-off.

Arteta’s side started with focus, and it was no surprise they went 1-0 up after only 11 minutes, when makeshift - or not so makeshift - striker Merino headed home Ben White’s cross to put the Gunners ahead.

On 21 minutes David Raya displayed excellent reflexes to tip Kevin Schade’s powerful header onto the bar, as the Bees underlined their own considerable set piece credentials through such a chance.

Five minutes later, Gabi Martinelli fired over after a sweeping move, powered along the right flank by the influential White, who highlighted his excellence in supplementing colleagues further forward by the effortless way he stepped into midfield, ostensibly from his position at right-back.

On 36 minutes Noni Madueke’s effort was deflected wide for a corner after attempting to get on the end of Declan Rice’s tantalising low cross. As the ball was recycled moments later Mosquera played in Madueke with a delightful crafted through-ball on the edge of a crowded box. Alas Madueke, who appeared off the pace, and in need of recalibration, was too slow to capitalise and failed to take the chance.

As we headed onto half time, Merino fired over as the home side failed to undermine their dominance with a second goal.

However, as if to add to Arsenal’s injury woes, Mosquera limped off to be replaced by Jurrien Timber.

On 68 minutes, the indefatigable Rice worked space on the edge of the area to unleash a powerful low drive, that former Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher could only parry, The ball squirmed loose with Merino lurking, but the distance proved too much of a stretch for the former Real Sociedad midfielder to capitalise.

Gyokeres replaced Rice, who appeared to overstretch when hunting the ball moments earlier, which, given his propensity to influence games offensively and defensively with such boundless energy that his teammates nicknamed him ‘Horse’, any injury could be significant for Arsenal.

As the clock ticked down there was still time for substitute Saka to score after a powerful drive that Kelleher could only parry, as the ball found its way into the net. And Arsenal found themselves five points clear at the top of the table once again. 

Such are the benefits from such a mesmerisingly gripping title race for the neutrals, next up is another mouth-watering clash for the Gunners, this time against new fringe title challengers Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.