Arsenal 2 – Brentford 0 match report: two goals, three points, one Mikel Merino

Arsenal scored early and late to down Brentford at the Emirates. The middle, well, it was something. The Bees made life difficult for Arsenal, but in doing so, weren’t able to muster anything at all of their own. They ran hard, mucked up the match, forced it to be played mostly in the middle third, and have nothing to show for it. That’s how well Arsenal are playing right now.

The Gunners, who started the match with their second-choice centerback pairing and were forced to bring on Jurrien Timber to replace Cristhian Mosquera in the first half, held the visitors to 0.34 xG. The injury to Mosquera appeared to happen as he was landing from contesting a header midway through the first half. It’s an annoying double-whammy for the Gunners because not only are they potentially down another CB but Timber, who would have gotten most / all of the night off, was pressed into service.

On the positive side of things, Ben White, who rotated in at RB for Timber, was excellent. He had the second-most progressive carries (8), tied-first most progressive passes (8), competed in the most duels (10/16 successful), and made the most tackles and clearances of all Arsenal players.

It was White’s cross that set up the opening goal 11 minutes into the match. Noni Madueke cleverly rolled the ball back and around his own standing leg into White’s path and Mikel Merino darted in front of his defender to head home at the near post. Strikey Mikey can’t stop scoring! It was a lovely goal. You couldn’t draw it up any better. Madueke was energetic and dangerous in his 60ish minutes on the pitch. He probably should have had a goal of his own, but Rico Henry defended well on two good chances to put the Arsenal winger off.

Brentford went for it in the second half, stepping up the energy, and bringing on their heavier attacking hitters midway with the scoreline at 1-0. Arsenal kept them at bay. The visitors won a bunch of corners and launched long throws into the box, but the Gunners defended well. In fact, their best chance came in the first half without their better attacking players on the pitch. David Raya had to make a brilliant save to tip the ball onto the bar off a header from a corner.

Arsenal had to wait until the 91st minute to seal the points. Martin Zubimendi put Bukayo Saka in. Caoihmin Kelleher got his hand to the shot, but it had enough power to go up and over him and bounce in. Kelleher struggled with his rebound control all night — both Merino and Saka nearly tapped home spilled shots.

The biggest concern coming out of the match is Declan Rice’s status. The midfielder had to come off in the second half after receiving treatment on the pitch. He looked to be pointing at his right calf. He walked off on his own power and went to the bench rather than down the tunnel. Mosquera’s injury is of concern, as well.

It wasn’t the prettiest of football matches, but it didn’t have to be. It was more or less what you’d expect from a midweek match where both sides rotated their starting lineups. That might be a bit unfair to Arsenal, honestly. The Gunners were fine, certainly good enough. There were some definite bright spots (White, Madueke, Ødegaard had a solid game) and nothing really registers on the poor side of the ledger.

For those of you keeping track at home, that’s another +2 points on last season’s haul from equivalent fixtures. The win reestablishes the five-point lead over Manchester City. The Gunners extend their lead over Chelsea, who lost to Leeds, to nine points. Next up is a tricky visit to third-place Aston Villa who stormed back from 2-0 down to win 4-3 over Brighton.