Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka found the net as Arsenal overcame Brentford to re-establish their five-point cushion at the Premier League summit.
Manager Mikel Arteta introduced three alterations from the side that drew with Chelsea on Sunday, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke and skipper Martin Odegaard.
White and Madueke linked up for the opener in the 11th minute, with the right-back delivering a cross for Arsenal’s stand-in striker Merino, who nodded the ball in.
Merino has been required to feature consistently as Arsenal’s lead attacker due to injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres, and this finish marked his 13th goal of 2025 — more than any other Arsenal player this year.
Bukayo Saka doubled the advantage in stoppage time after being sent through on goal by Merino from midfield, and although Caoimhin Kelleher got a touch, the ball still crossed the line.
Brentford spent long spells defending deep but almost levelled in the first half when Kevin Schade’s header from a corner was tipped on to the bar by David Raya.
Arteta’s only concern came from the fact that Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice both had to be withdrawn with knocks.
The win stretches Arsenal’s unbeaten streak to 18 matches in all competitions and marks their eighth consecutive home victory.
Arsenal analysis: Efficient Gunners take another three points
The meeting with Brentford was always likely to be awkward for Arsenal following demanding fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta avoided making sweeping changes and retained key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Riccardo Calafiori in his starting lineup.
Mikel Merino also kept his spot up front, and the Spanish midfielder added another crucial strike with his first-half header.
He later supplied substitute Bukayo Saka with the assist — his sixth goal involvement in five outings (three goals, three assists).
Injuries have plagued Arsenal all season, and the knocks to Mosquera and Rice will raise further concerns about squad depth.
Nonetheless, Arsenal continue to gather momentum and consistently find ways to secure results regardless of the opponent.
Brentford analysis: Bees show encouraging signs but fall short
Brentford boss Keith Andrews said beforehand that getting a result against Arsenal would be a “tough task”, yet his side worked hard to challenge the league leaders.
Andrews made five adjustments to his lineup and switched back to a five-man defence in an attempt to disrupt Arsenal and exploit the pace of Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade on the break.
Brentford remain one of the division’s most dangerous set-piece teams and had Schade’s header not been diverted onto the bar by Raya, the outcome might have shifted.
They were more assertive after the interval and unsettled the home fans while the deficit stayed at one.
But Brentford could not muster an equaliser before Saka sealed the victory for Arsenal — a result that leaves the Bees with just one away league win this season.