Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka were on target as Arsenal kept the initiative in the Premier League title race with a routine 2-0 win over Brentford.
There was none of the chaos of Manchester City's 5-4 win at Fulham 24 hours earlier which moved them temporarily to within two points of the Gunners.
Instead it was business as usual at the Emirates, with Arsenal extending their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions with an eighth straight home win, another clean sheet, and stretching the gap at the top back to five points.
The main worry for the Gunners was centre-back Cristhian Mosquera being forced off injured, adding to a defensive crisis that has also seen William Saliba and Gabriel sidelined. But they could celebrate moving five points clear at the top of the table once more.
Follow all the action live from the Emirates here:
Arsenal v Brentford live
- Arsenal beat Brentford 2-0 in hard-fought London derby as Merino and Saka score goals
- Cristhian Mosquera forced off injured in the first half to add to Arsenal's injury woes
- 90+1 - GOAL! Saka seals it for Arsenal as Kelleher can't keep it out (ARS 2-0 BRE)
- 43' - INJURY! Mosquera hobbles off injured as Arsenal endure another centre-back issue (ARS 1-0 BRE)
- 21' - CROSSBAR! Raya brilliantly tips Schade's bullet header on to the bar (ARS 1-0 BRE)
- 11' - GOAL! Merino heads home White's cross (ARS 1-0 BRE)
Arsenal flash their title credentials in Brentford win but injury shadow looms
22:14 , Luke BakerMikel Merino and Bukayo Saka were on target as Arsenal kept the initiative in the Premier League title race with a routine 2-0 win over Brentford.
There was none of the chaos of Manchester City’s 5-4 win at Fulham 24 hours earlier which moved them temporarily to within two points of the Gunners.
Instead it was business as usual at the Emirates, with Arsenal extending their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions with an eighth straight home win, another clean sheet, and stretching the gap at the top back to five points.
The main worry for the Gunners was centre-back Cristhian Mosquera being forced off injured, adding to a defensive crisis that has also seen William Saliba and Gabriel sidelined. But they could celebrate moving five points clear at the top of the table once more.
Arsenal flash their title credentials in Brentford win but injury shadow looms
Ben White discusses Arsenal win
21:52 , Luke BakerBen White impressed at right-back for Arsenal this evening and he discussed the victory with Sky Sports after the match.
“It was a nice win,” he said. “I’ve not played too many games this season because the boys have been unbelievable.
“We’re supporting everyone, whoever is playing and whoever is not. We’re sticking together and when getting the chance, performing as high as you can.
“Training every day with all these players is unbelievable. There are players getting no minutes who would start for any other team.
“We’ve just got to take it game by game. It’s such a long season, we don't want to get complacent. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”
WATCH: Arsenal beat Brentford 2-0
21:42 , Luke BakerHere are the highlights from that Arsenal win.
Arsenal extend unbeaten run
21:37 , Luke BakerArsenal’s unbeaten run now stands at 18 games. They are absolutely flying and marching ever closer to the Premier League title.
A job well done by them tonight
Another big three points at Emirates Stadium 🌟 pic.twitter.com/HvLdxXVMCC
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2025
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-0 Brentford
21:27 , Luke BakerAll over at the Emirates. Arsenal were superb in the first half and although they laboured slightly at points in the second half, Bukayo Saka sealed it in injury-time.
It’s another victory, Arsenal’s long unbeaten run continues and they’re back to five points clear at the top. Job done and on to Saturday where top-four hopefuls Aston Villa await.
Arsenal 2-0 Brentford, 90+4 mins
21:24 , Luke BakerThe Arsenal fans are in full voice now! Just a couple of minutes left and they know their side are extending their lead atop the Premier League
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Brentford (Bukayo Saka, 90+1 mins)
21:22 , Luke BakerInto six minutes of injury time and NOW IT IS 2-0!
Merino slides a lovely ball through to Bukayo Saka. He cuts inside his defender and gets a shot off. Kelleher gets a hand to it but can only slow it down as it loops over him and he hares back but the ball crosses the line before he can knock it clear. A bit unlucky for Kelleher but Saka has sealed it!
CHANCE! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 89 mins
21:20 , Luke BakerThat was the moment for Arsenal. Calafiori cuts infield, makes it to the edge of the box and strikes for goal, where Kelleher dives and pushes the ball out.
But it’s straight to Saka, eight yards out, tries to turn it in with his left foot but he’s falling backawards and it’s wide. Should be 2-0
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 88 mins
21:19 , Luke BakerDangerous ball into the Arsenal box but it bounces through. Eze tries to launch a counter but is stopped around halfway.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 87 mins
21:16 , Luke BakerBack underway. Hincapie and Thiago both still on the pitch.
Arsenal stroking the ball around, watching the seconds tick away. There’ll be plenty of injury-time so Brentford will have at least one good chance you’d think
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 85 mins
21:15 , Luke BakerNow Hincapie goes down after a clash of heads with Thiago, who is also receiving treatment.
Arsenal DEFINITELY can’t afford to lose a fourth centre-back... I think both, after being assessed for concussions, are just getting their bearings back and should be ok to continue.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 83 mins
21:12 , Luke BakerUh oh, this would be bad for Arsenal. Declan Rice has gone down and is receiving treatment on his calf, it looks like. Doesn’t seem in too much pain but he’s limping slightly as he gets up. They can’t afford to lose him.
He withdrawn and slightly gingerly exits but hopefully just a precautionary measure. Viktor Gyokeres comes on.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 80 mins
21:10 , Luke BakerMore Arsenal pressure as they probe around the box but the powder blue wall is holding firm for now.
The Gunners are managing this well but can they find the second goal to seal it?
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 77 mins
21:07 , Luke BakerHincapie heads a Yarmoliuk cross behind and Brentford have a corner but it’s well defended.
Decent counter-attack opportunity and Saka does really well to hold the ball up and find a clever inside pass to Merino but his lofted pass to the right is to no one and runs harmlessly into the corner.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 73 mins
21:04 , Luke BakerAnother double change for Brentford as Henry and Pinnock are taken off with Keane Lewis-Potter and Nathan Collins introduced.
They’ve got a little over 15 minutes to salvage something here
CHANCE! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 69 mins
21:00 , Luke BakerAre Arsenal turning the screw again? They surge forward and Rice fires a shot from the edge of the box that Kelleher gets down well to his left to save.
Merino follows in, just to the right of the goal and tries to turn the rebound home but his foot gets stuck int he turf and he can’t make good contact so it bobbles wide. A let-off for Arsenal!
SAVE! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 67 mins
20:57 , Luke BakerArsenal’s best moment of the second half. They work the ball nicely in the final third and Calafiori takes a shot that is well repelled by Kelleher.
Then appeals for a penalty as Kelleher chases the rebound and Merino goes down but nothing doing. VAR checks and determines Merino initiated the contact. There was nothing in that.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 65 mins
20:55 , Luke BakerBrentford have thrown on the big guns to try and get something out of this match. Will Arsenal regret not killing this game off earlier?
First yellow card of the game as Yarmoliuk is booked for dragging back Eze as he surged past him down the left flank.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 62 mins
20:52 , Luke BakerIn fact, both teams turn to the bench.
For Brentford, top scorer Igor Thiago, midfield general Jordan Henderson and creative maestro Mikel Damsgaard come on for Janelt, Schade and Janelt
And Arsenal call on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze for Madueke, who has played well tonight, and Martinelli.
Game on!
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 59 mins
20:49 , Luke BakerArsenal have weathered that storm at the start of the second half and settled back in to controlling this match. Some of Brentford’s big guns on the bench - your Thiagos, your Damsgaards, your Hendersons - are preparing to come on it seems though
Arsenal’s defensive injury crisis worsens as another centre-back goes down
20:47 , Luke BakerArsenal’s growing defensive injury crisis worsened as Cristhian Mosquera was forced off just before half-time of their clash with Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
Already missing first-choice centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, third option Mosquera landed awkwardly after leaping to contest a header against the Bees around the 40-minute mark.
He winced and hobbled immediately upon landing before going down, with the physio rushing on to treat him. After a couple of minutes, the 21-year-old Spaniard gingerly got to his feet and limped off the pitch.
Arsenal’s defensive injury crisis worsens as another centre-back goes down
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 52 mins
20:43 , Luke BakerIt’s Brentford who are on top here as they swarm forward again. Another corner won but Raya does really well to come out and catch the ball. That will help relieve some pressure
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 49 mins
20:39 , Luke BakerGood start to this second half by Brentford. They earn a free-kick and although it’s wasted, they win a corner soon after.
A deep cross to the back post finds Janelt but it’s a poor header, well wide when he should be nodding it back across goal.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford
20:35 , Luke BakerBack underway in north London.
WATCH: First-half highlights
20:22 , Luke BakerA cracking 45 minutes for the Gunners. Here’s the best of the action
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford
20:19 , Luke BakerAnd that’s the break. A frankly superb first half from Arsenal with Noni Madueke and Ben White in particular linking up impressively down the right.
Mikel Merino’s header has the Gunners ahead and it could easily be more with constant pressure having been put on.
Having said that, David Raya was still needed to produce a stunning save from Kevin Schade’s header to maintain the advantage. Can the Bees hit back in the second half?
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 45 mins
20:16 , Luke BakerThree minutes of injury-time in this first half. Arsenal should be more than a goal up, really, but at least they’re ahead
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 43 mins
20:14 , Luke BakerHmmmm, this is some bad news for Arsenal though. Cristhian Mosquera winces and hobbles after landing awkwardly from an aerial duel, then goes down. He looks in some discomfort.
The physio comes on to treat him and he gingerly walks off. He’s going to have to be subbed. Jurrien Timber, a right-back by trade, will come on and play centre-back - where he does play for the Netherlands.
This is a big blow for the Gunners. They’re already without William Saliba (who might be back for the weekend) and Gabriel, so another centre-back injury was not what they needed.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 40 mins
20:11 , Luke BakerThe ball bounces up on the edge of the area, Merino takes a touch and then tries to fire at goal but the ball is always rising, well over the bar. Arsenal completely dominant here though.
CLOSE! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 38 mins
20:10 , Luke BakerNearly 2-0! This time it’s down the Arsenal left as Merino plays a gorgeous reverse pass to the overlapping Rice.
He sends a fizzing low ball across the box, perfectly evading Brentford defenders and finding Madueke sliding in at the back post and it looks as if he’s going to steer the ball in, only for Henry to cover and deflect the shot wide. Just a corner, which comes to nothing.
Shortly after, Henry again defends well as Mosquera pokes a reverse pass into Madueke around the penalty spot and the Brentford defender scampers back to nick the ball away as he’s about to shoot.
WATCH: Raya's stunning save
20:05 , Luke BakerHere’s that superb Raya save by the way. Incredible reactions against his former club.
That’s the only reason this game is still 1-0 to Arsenal.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 33 mins
20:03 , Luke BakerArsenal win another corner and they go short - Odegaard to Madueke with this one. It’s played around but a telling cross never comes.
However, Madueke wins the ball back and Rice marauds forward, winning another corner when his shot is blocked by a sliding Henry.
This corner is whipped in more conventionally by Madueke but blocked at the near post.
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 31 mins
20:01 , Luke BakerArsenal fans are enjoying themselves so far today. They’ve looked really good, although only David Raya’s brilliant save has kept them ahead
MISS! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 28 mins
20:00 , Luke BakerShould that be 2-0? Martinelli certainly has to do better.
The danger comes down Arsenal’s right again. Madueke is causing Henry fits and he slips a reverse pass to the byline for Calafiori, who has somehow popped up there despite being a left-back, he backheels to White who lays it off (or the ball bounces off him at least...) for Martinelli.
The Brazilian hits it first time but the ball is bouncing up slightly and he skies it well over. He’ll have expected to hit the target
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 25 mins
19:56 , Luke BakerArsenal looking dangerous again as they flood forward. The ball is slipped to the right and White lashes at it first time bu scuffs it well wide
CROSSBAR! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 21 mins
19:53 , Luke BakerBrentford’s best moment and they’re the width of the bar from being level.
The corner is whipped in and Schade fires a bullet header at goal. Somehow, despite almost no reaction time, Raya leaps and gets the faintest touch to tip it on to the crossbar. I’m pretty sure that was heading in and that is an unbelievable save from the Spaniard against his former team!
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 20 mins
19:51 , Luke BakerBrentford win a corner and it takes a couple of attempts for Arsenal half clear it before bodies on the line from White as he throws himself at the ball to deflect it wide for another corner.
CLOSE! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 17 mins
19:49 , Luke BakerArsenal are purring here. Firstly, Madueke shows his quick feet to darat into the area, bamboozle Rico Henry and get a shot away which Kelleher has to save sharply. Saka-esque from Madueke!
Then Martinelli strides forwards, slips the ball to White on the right and he lashes a shot at goal but into the side-netting. The Gunners are flying
WATCH: Mikel Merino heads Arsenal in front
19:47 , Luke BakerHere’s the moment that Mikel Merino headed Arsenal in front. Lovely goal
Arsenal 1-0 Brentford, 13 mins
19:44 , Luke BakerHow will Brentford respond to that blow? This is promising - they win a corner from the other side this time and the ball in is much more dangerous but the Gunners just about head clear.
An ideal start for Mikel Arteta’s men.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford (Mikel Merino, 11 mins)
19:42 , Luke BakerThat didn’t take long! Arsenal have been dominating the early stages and they get their reward!
White overlaps outside Madueke who flicks it to him with a calm backheel, the cross it stood up and Mikel Merino nips in front of his man on the six-yard box and jumps to power a header past Kelleher.
Third goal of the season for the midfielder/striker. What a find his ability to play No 9 has been!
Arsenal 0-0 Brentford, 10 mins
19:40 , Luke BakerArsenal patient around the edge of the box before Odegaard shifts the ball to his left foot and lets fly but Janelt slides across to block well.
Arsenal 0-0 Brentford, 7 mins
19:39 , Luke BakerBrentford’s turn to win a corner. They’ve tried to position themselves as the OG set-piece dons, with everyone else copying them... But this isn’t great. Jensen’s cross is too long and curls out for a goal-kick.
Arsenal attack down the right in response, good link-up between Madueke and White with the latter cutting a low ball into the danger area but the Bees scramble clear
Arsenal 0-0 Brentford, 5 mins
19:35 , Luke BakerLots of talk about set-pieces in the build-up to the game and Arsenal win the first corner of the day.
Rice with a typically testing ball whipped in, which is only half-cleared initially, but Brentford shut down the second ball and then win a free-kick.
Just some early set-piece jabbing to test the resolve.
Arsenal 0-0 Brentford, 3 mins
19:33 , Luke BakerInteresting. We assumed Brentford had gone for a back five but, early on, Michael Kayode is very advanced, more like a winger, making it a back four. We’ll see how that evolves.
Arsenal with a couple of forward probes in the first couple of minutes but the powder blue Brentford backline are alert to the danger.
Arsenal v Brentford team news - stars benched
19:28 , Luke BakerA couple of minutes until kick-off and here’s a reminder of the teams.
Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber all benched for Arsenal with Igor Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Mikel Damsgaard likewise for Brentford. Rotation central!
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Merino, Martinelli
Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Pinnock, Van den Berg, Ajer Henry; Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Janelt; Schade, Ouattara
Arsenal v Brentford
17:05 , Flo CliffordPremier League leaders Arsenal have another London derby on their hands as they welcome Brentford to the Emirates Stadium just three days after battling to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The Gunners will rue two points dropped against the Blues as they failed to make their numerical advantage count at Stamford Bridge after Moises Caicedo was sent off.
A Mikel Merino header earned Arsenal a point but rather than dominating at set-pieces as normal, they conceded a goal in the same manner, and will need to be sharper against fellow set-piece specialists Brentford.
Meanwhile Keith Andrews’ Bees put three past Burnley in a chaotic 3-1 victory, with Brazil’s Igor Thiago making history for the club as the quickest player to reach 10 goals in one campaign, needing just 13 games. But they’ll have their work cut out at the Emirates, facing the league’s top side having lost five of their six top-flight away games this season.
