Arsenal 2-0 Brentford
Mikel Merino 11′ and Bukayo Saka 90+1′.
As they are clearly targetting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season, Arsenal welcomed Brentford at Emirates Stadium for the count of the 14th matchday of Premier League. A game that could have been a trap for the Gunners as Brentford proved in recent years that they are a pretty decent English team.
With Viktor Gyokeres still recovering from his previous injury which prevented him from playing during the month of November, Mikel Arteta has implemented his own unique tactics with Mikel Merino as a false number 9.
The first half was pretty tight between both teams as Arsenal got the ball possession as planned. However the Gunners were not 100% dominant even if they opened the score at the 11′ minute with one of Mikel Arteta’s favorite piece : Mikel Merino. The usual midfielder managed to beat Caoimhin Kelleher and Arsenal was already in front very early in the game.
Brentford tried and were absolutely not ridiculous in front of the Premier League leaders. Unfortunately for them, Arsenal are on pace to do an all-time season in the defensive way. They are the best defense this season in Premier League with 7 goals conceded in 14 games.
Arsenal has raised its game during the second half, letting less spaces for Brentford’s players and they were also more agressive offensively, Brentford kept the 1-0 score in what could have been a not discouraging result for them, but Arsenal finished the job in extra time with Bukayo Saka scoring the 2nd goal.
With this new great performance, Arsenal stays 1st in Premier League with 33 points, 5 points ahead of Manchester City who are 2nd. Brentford goes down at 13 with 19 points.