Arsenal vs Brentford Review
Arsenal extended their unbeaten home Premier League record this season (7 wins, 1 draw) by defeating a resilient Brentford team 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. This result leaves Brentford with only one away league win this season. It took just 11 minutes for Arsenal to take the lead, Noni Madueke made a clever flick that set up Ben White on the overlap, who then crossed the ball into the box for Mikel Merino to head the ball down and into the net. Madueke later created space for a close-range shot, which was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. Brentford then responded with a strong spell, during which David Raya had to tip Kevin Schade’s header from a corner onto the crossbar.
The Bees had gained some ground in the match, but the home team continued to pose significant threats before halftime, with Rico Henry making crucial interventions to deny Madueke twice in quick succession. First, Henry slid to block a low cross from Declan Rice aimed at Madueke, who was ready to score, then he made a timely challenge to prevent the Arsenal winger from shooting inside the box. After the break, Brentford held the momentum, and the tension at the Emirates grew as Igor Thiago, the Premier League’s second-highest scorer, came on as part of a triple substitution, with only one goal separating the teams after 60 minutes.
Arteta quickly responded by bringing on Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka, as Arsenal began to assert themselves in the second half. Riccardo Calafiori and Rice each forced Kelleher into action with long-range shots, with Rice’s attempt nearly leading to a second goal, but Merino missed the follow-up, failing to adjust his shot and sending it wide. The Gunners continued to apply pressure as Kelleher saved a shot from Calafiori and stayed alert to a rebound caused by a Saka miskick. Shortly after, Saka redeemed himself by staying onside and powering a shot past the goalkeeper, whose palm couldn’t stop the ball from going in.
This victory extends Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, with the team having lost only once in the league so far (10 wins, 3 draws). Arteta remains unbeaten in his last nine head-to-head matches (7 wins, 2 draws), while this result leaves Brentford in mid-table, having failed to win 20 of their last 24 Premier League London derbies (6 draws, 13 losses).
