Arsenal are still unbeaten at home in the Premier League, securing a steady 2-0 victory over a stubborn Brentford side that, once again, struggled on the road and keeping their record firmly intact.
The Bees have now managed just one away league win all season, and it showed at times, even though they did put up a proper fight as predicted in the pre-game match report. Arsenal celebrated the massive three points with a post made via their official X account.
They Posted:
Softfootball reports that with a heavy December fixture list ahead and just fresh from that physically demanding 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Mikel Arteta rotated his team, but the Gunners didn’t need long to click into gear. Just 11 minutes in, two of the so-called “squad players” produced the opener.
Noni Madueke flicked a clever ball into the path of Ben White, who delivered a tidy cross for Mikel Merino to head down into the turf and over the line. Madueke nearly doubled the lead moments later, only for Caoimhin Kelleher to beat away his close-range effort.
Brentford grew into the game, though, and almost hit back when David Raya tipped Kevin Schade’s header onto the bar. The visitors had found a bit of rhythm, but Arsenal kept creating danger. Rico Henry twice denied Madueke with crucial tackles, one sliding block to cut out Declan Rice’s low cross and another just as the winger was about to pull the trigger.
The tempo shifted after halftime, with Brentford pushing harder and Arsenal suddenly looking a bit tense. The introduction of Igor Thiago, the Premier League’s second-top scorer, added extra nerves around the stadium. Arteta reacted quickly, sending on Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka, and Arsenal slowly regained control. Riccardo Calafiori and Rice forced saves from Kelleher, though Merino somehow steered the rebound wide.
It felt like a second goal was coming, and eventually it did. Saka, after an earlier miskick, stayed onside and drilled a low shot that Kelleher couldn’t keep out. That effectively sealed it.
The win restores Arsenal’s five-point cushion at the top of the table, extending their league run to just one defeat all season. Arteta also stretched his unbeaten streak against Brentford to nine matches, while the Bees slipped deeper into mid-table after another disappointing London derby result.
