Brentford Struggle to Contain Arsenal's Attack

Arsenal vs Brentford, Gunners cruise to victory

Arsenal hosted London rivals Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

A win would've put them five points clear of Manchester City, who had closed the gap with a win at Fulham...

Arsenal secured a convincing 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to 18 games and moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners dominated possession, with 67% ball control, and created more scoring opportunities, including 15 shots, seven of which were on target. Mikel Merino's 11th-minute header, resulting from Ben White's precise cross, gave Arsenal the lead, while Bukayo Saka sealed the victory with a late goal.

Brentford, who had rested key players like Igor Thiago and Jordan Henderson, struggled to cope with Arsenal's pressure, despite their best efforts to unsettle the hosts with set-pieces and counter-attacks. The Bees' best chance came when Kevin Schade's header hit the crossbar, but Arsenal's defense held firm.

Tactical Decision

Igor Thiago started on the bench likely due to tactical considerations.

Head-to-Head History

They'd got the better of the Bees recently, unbeaten in the last seven head-to-heads in the English top-flight.

Previous Encounter

Mikel Arteta's squad wouldn't need reminding how difficult their home fixture was last season when Yoane Wissa's late goal earned a point after Thomas Partey's opener.

Brentford's Away Form

Brentford's away form in 2025/26 had been poor, with five losses and one win from their six games.

That made the decision to start with Igor Thiago on the bench a very strange one from Keith Andrews, considering the player's 11 league goals have only been bettered by Erling Haaland's 15 so far this season.

Another big three points at Emirates Stadium 🌟 pic.twitter.com/HvLdxXVMCC

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2025

The striker was one of five changes made by the visitors, which was their most in successive matches during the current campaign, and their joint most ever in the Premier League (5 v Brighton on Boxing Day 2021).

Merino's Early Strike

Mikel Merino's powerful header gave Arsenal the lead against Brentford, his 13th goal in all competitions in 2025 and ninth in the Premier League this calendar year, making him Arsenal's top scorer.

The goal was assisted by Ben White's sumptuous cross, following a clever build-up involving Noni Madueke. Merino's header was a moment of real quality, showcasing his clinical finishing.

Mikel Merino's impressive header stats continue to impress, with eight headers scored since the start of last season, making him the top English top-flight player in this category. He's also been in great form against Brentford, scoring his second goal against them in three games. Ben White's third assist against the Bees was a nice touch, showcasing their strong partnership.

Brentford's defense struggled, conceding an 11th goal in the first half, putting them in a tough spot. Only Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers have conceded more goals, with 12 and 13 respectively, highlighting the Bees' vulnerability.

Intent in every move.

The best of Ben White against Brentford 📺 pic.twitter.com/YbRCDxzShN

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2025

Arsenal in control

Arsenal's relative dominance was clear for all to see, with the hosts controlling 73% of possession in the opening quarter hour. It might not have always been wonderful to watch, but the Gunners weren't really troubled.

In fact, it wasn't until the 20th minute before the visitors had their first shot, but just like London buses, two more came almost immediately.

Kevin Schade's shot was a rare moment of threat from Brentford, but Arsenal quickly regained control, firing off four shots of their own. Martin Odegaard was instrumental in midfield, creating three chances for his teammates and being the busiest player on the pitch. Odegaard's superb performance helped Arsenal maintain their dominance, despite Brentford's best efforts.

Brentford's Underwhelming Performance

Brentford's output was negligible, with Dango Ouattara attempting just five passes before the break. Only Ethan Pinnock and Michael Kayode managed to impress with their passing range, with Pinnock's 96.8% being the best on show for the visitors, and Kayode not far behind at 95.7%.

Michael Kayode's standout performance included contesting 15 one-on-one duels and winning nine, a stark contrast to his teammates. Kristoffer Ajer, for example, won just one of seven duels contested, highlighting the lack of commitment from some Brentford players. Thiago's introduction after an hour didn't change the game's dynamic, with Arsenal maintaining control.

Late Goal Secures Arsenal's Win

Despite Arsenal's dominance, their second goal seemed inevitable as they continued to push forward. Riccardo Calafiori's 66th-minute attempt was their first shot on target since Noni Madueke's effort in the 17th, highlighting the Gunners' struggles to break down Brentford's defense.

Kelleher's Heroics

Brentford's keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was instrumental in keeping Arsenal at bay, making five saves on the night to deny the hosts a second goal. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as Bukayo Saka scored a late winner, securing a 2-0 victory for Arsenal.

Unfortunately, Brentford's chances of grabbing a point were slim, and Bukayo Saka's late goal just sealed the win for Arsenal. Saka's shot was enough to get past Kelleher, who got two hands to the ball but couldn't keep it out. The goal was the final nail in the coffin, and the game was effectively over.

Learning from Defeat

The Bees will need to regroup and refocus after a disappointing performance. Andrews and his team will be looking at ways to improve, particularly in attack, where they struggled to trouble the Arsenal defense.

Brentford's stats were telling: just one shot on target, six shots in total, and only 13 touches in the opposition box. These are not the kind of numbers that win football matches, and the Bees will need to find a way to inject more attacking intent if they are to improve their fortunes.

Brentford needed to be perfect in other areas after ceding two-thirds of possession to one of the best passing sides in the Premier League. Sadly, they failed to capitalize on Arsenal's four corners, and their inability to win possession in the final third was telling.

It was a disappointing night for the Bees, but Mikel Arteta and his squad can now look to the fixture against Aston Villa with confidence. Arsenal's win was a convincing one, with goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka securing a 2-0 victory.