Arsenal stayed unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season with a 2-0 win over Brentford, who still have only one away league victory.
Mikel Arteta rested some of his main players because December is a busy month, but Arsenal still took the lead after just 11 minutes. Noni Madueke played a clever pass to Ben White, who crossed for Mikel Merino to head the ball into the ground and over the line. Madueke later had a close-range shot saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, before Brentford enjoyed a good spell. David Raya had to tip Kevin Schade’s header onto the bar to stop an equaliser.
Brentford were growing into the game, but Arsenal still looked dangerous. Rico Henry twice stopped Madueke from scoring, first blocking a low cross from Declan Rice, then tackling him just in time inside the box.
After half-time, Brentford had more of the ball and the atmosphere at the Emirates became tense, especially when their top scorer, Igor Thiago, came on with half an hour left. Arteta reacted by bringing on Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal started to push again, with Riccardo Calafiori and Rice both forcing Kelleher into saves. Merino then missed from the rebound.
Arsenal kept pressing, and eventually Saka made it 2–0, staying onside and firing a shot past Kelleher. The goalkeeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
The win puts Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table. They have lost only once in the league this season. Arteta is now unbeaten in his last nine matches against Brentford. The defeat leaves Brentford mid-table and with only four wins in their last 24 London derbies.
