Gunners continue winning run with victory over Bees

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.

- ANDY SIMS

Arsenal 2

Merino (11), Saka (90+1)

Brentford 0

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.