Arsenal moves clear with Bees sting
Arsenal restored its five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka got the goals in a routine 2-0 victory over Brentford.
Having seen Manchester City cut its advantage at the summit to two points with the topsy-turvy 5-4 win at Fulham, Mikel Arteta's side responded with a professional display at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners went ahead in the 11th minute, with Merino planting a downward header beyond Caoimhin Kelleher after Noni Madueke's clever backheel allowed Ben White to reach the byline and send in a hanging cross.
David Raya then pushed Kevin Schade's header onto the crossbar at the other end, but that represented a rare foray forward from Brentford, which did not attempt another shot on target.
Having shuffled his pack, Mikel Arteta responded to a slow start to the second half by sending on Eberechi Eze and Saka, though it was Riccardo Calafiori who next worked Kelleher.
Declan Rice drew another similar stop from the Brentford goalkeeper, with Merino turning wide on the rebound, before the England midfielder took a knock and limped off.
Arsenal did get a clinching goal via another Three Lions star in second-half stoppage time, with Kelleher pushing Saka's shot into the air and across his line.
