Still Five Points Clear

December 03, 2025

Emirates Stadium, London

A summer of upheaval had reshaped Brentford long before autumn settled over the league. They lost their architect, Thomas Frank, to Tottenham; their captain, Christian Nørgaard, departed for Arsenal; and the attacking axis of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa was drawn away by Manchester United and Newcastle. Yet from this exodus emerged an unexpected steadiness. In his first managerial post, Keith Andrews has shepherded the Bees to their second-best start to a Premier League campaign, rallying the remnants with tactical discipline and the industrious energy of Igor Thiago and new signing Dango Ouattara. At home they have proved resilient, stinging even Liverpool and Manchester United. Away from West London, however, their authority has faltered, with only a solitary victory.

Arsenal arrived still nursing the frustration of their missed opportunities at Stamford Bridge. Arteta rotated lightly—White, Ødegaard, and Madueke restored to the XI—seeking clarity after a fragmented performance. The opening exchanges were hesitant, Brentford sitting deep as Arsenal probed without incision. Then, almost out of nothing, Madueke conjured a moment of audacity: a back-heel slipped into White’s path, the full-back delivering a precise cross that Mikel Merino, in rising form, steered home with ten minutes played—his fifth league goal of the season.

Brentford’s lone moment of menace followed soon after, Schade climbing well at a corner only for Raya and the crossbar together to deny him. Otherwise, Arsenal’s authority flowed chiefly down the right, shaped by Madueke’s improvisation and White’s cunning, with Ødegaard’s measured distribution and Martinelli’s relentless surges stitching patterns.

Yet the half ended on a sour note. Mosqueira collapsed without contact, signalling immediately; another centre-back lost, Timber summoned, and depth beginning to fray.

Midway through the second half, Rice struck from distance, his dipping effort skidding beyond any decisive touch. The match seemed destined to drift until, in the final minutes, Calafiori carved through midfield, his shot spilling kindly to Saka, who failed to connect. Seconds later, Merino released him again. Saka drove down the right and struck; the keeper’s glove merely slowed a ball that arced inexorably into the net.

A subdued contest, with Brentford offering little. But Arsenal held their composure, avoided error, and in a match of sparse chances imposed the only verdict that mattered. Still five points clear atop the table: 14 league games, 33 points, seven goals conceded. Unbeaten in 18 across all competitions.

Arsenal 2 – 0 Brentford

(M. Merino 10’, B. Saka 90’)