Arsenal 2-0 Brentford: Highlights, man of the match, stats as unorthodox Bukayo Saka goal seals derby win

Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table courtesy of a hard-fought 2-0 victory over London rivals Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

Both Mikel Arteta and Keith Andrews opted for a few alterations in the capital, the former bringing in the likes of Ben White and Noni Madueke while his opposite number went five at the back.

Also missing Igor Thiago - only on the bench after a knock - the Bees' tactics backfired, as the in-form Mikel Merino headed Arsenal into a deserved lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

However, it took an outstanding reaction save from David Raya to maintain Arsenal's first-half lead, and the Gunners' defensive injury crisis then worsened with the loss of Cristhian Mosquera close to the break.

Brentford seemingly sensed an opportunity against a defensively-depleted Arsenal, but the hosts held firm and finally gave themselves some breathing space in added time thanks to Bukayo Saka's unorthodox finish.

Arsenal's 10th Premier League win of the campaign means that Arteta's men move five clear of Manchester City again, while Andrews's men remain 13th on goal difference ahead of Bournemouth.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

After an underwhelming draw at Chelsea and Manchester City's extraordinary win at Fulham on Tuesday, winning at all costs was the one and only goal for the Gunners tonight.

Arsenal welcomed a Brentford team who had exceeded expectations under Keith Andrews this season, but with no Thiago and an extra defender in the starting XI, the pattern of the opening exchanges was clear.

However, three players who may not make Arsenal's starting lineup when everyone is fit - Merino, White and Madueke - combined for a wonderful opening goal, one which saw the former either score or assist for the fourth Premier League game running.

The hosts continued to produce several slick flicks, tricks and neat interplay during the second half, albeit without the killer product, which just gave the Bees a sniff of a comeback.

A second goal was of paramount importance to quell any nerves, and Arteta's smile was that of an incredibly relieved man at full time, as his side passed another stiff test of their title credentials.

ARSENAL VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS

Mikel Merino goal vs. Brentford (11th min, Arsenal 1-0 Brentford)

Who else but Mikel Merino! Arsenal waste no time in taking the lead against Brentford ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/JwuKjNY8hw
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 3, 2025

Arsenal are head-ing five points clear at the top of the Premier League table at this rate!

White makes a trademark run on the overlap beyond Madueke, who plays his compatriot into space with a delicate backheel.

White has time to pick out a cross, and aerial aficionado Merino drives a powerful header into the ground and into the back of the net!

David Raya save vs. Brentford (21st min, Arsenal 1-0 Brentford)

David Raya with an INCREDIBLE reflex save against his former club ? pic.twitter.com/ps9hMAtdk1
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 3, 2025

Arsenal's number one submits his customary save of the season nomination.

Kevin Schade does his best Merino impression with a magnificent leap and header from a corner, but Raya exhibits his tremendous reflexes and somehow pushes the ball onto the bar.

Bukayo Saka goal vs. Brentford (90+1 min, Arsenal 2-0 Brentford)

"Finally they can breathe easily, FINALLY they can celebrate!"

Bukayo Saka sends Arsenal five points clear at the top ? pic.twitter.com/WGQQmmiox5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 3, 2025

And the hosts belatedly put it to bed!

Merino - now playing a deeper role with Viktor Gyokeres on the field - threads a wonderful through ball into the feet of Saka, but there is not quite enough pace on it to take him past every blue shirt.

The Englishman checks back and lets fly with a shot that Caoimhin Kelleher palms at, but the Brentford number one can only push the ball up into the air and over the line.

MAN OF THE MATCH - MIKEL MERINO

ANOTHER trip around the corner flag ⛳

Mikel Merino scores again ? pic.twitter.com/0RGp7yfIxs
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2025

Alan Smith may have given this accolade to White on Sky Sports, but the man who played a direct role in both of Arsenal's goals gets our vote.

Few men love scoring headers as much as Merino, who then had the eye to pick out a killer pass for Saka for the hosts' second - and much-needed - goal.

ARSENAL VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS

Possession: Arsenal 62%-38% Brentford

Shots: Arsenal 15-6 Brentford

Shots on target: Arsenal 7-1 Brentford

Corners: Arsenal 4-8 Brentford

Fouls: Arsenal 7-9 Brentford

BEST STATS

Noni Madueke (9) had four more touches in the opposition box than the entire Brentford side combined in the first half (5). ?#ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/nVLN59m7q2
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 3, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Arsenal have the honour of raising the curtain on gameweek 15 of the Premier League season, taking on Unai Emery's Aston Villa in the West Midlands on Saturday lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Brentford go from facing one North London club to another, as the Bees travel to face Thomas Frank's Tottenham Hotspur at 3pm on Saturday.