Merino scores, Merino assists, and most importantly - Arsenal win

Arsenal are back on the winning track and are still firmly holding the Premier League top spot. After a rather disappointing draw against the ten-man Chelsea four days ago, the Gunners easily brushed aside another lethal "set-piece team", Brentford, 2-0, last night.

Mikel Merino's 11th-minute opener, and Bukayo Saka's 91st-minute goal - to the fantastic Spaniard's assist - did the job for the North London side, while the visitors wasted their best chance midway through the first half when Kevin Schade hit the bar.

Still, this victory came with a possibly costly price, as Mikel Arteta lost another centre-back to an injury, given that Cristhian Mosquera joined Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba in Arsenal's "hospital."

The Premier League table-toppers opened the game superbly, taking the lead after only 11 minutes. Following a nice combination between Noni Madueke and Ben White over the right-hand side, the latter crossed the ball inside for Mikel Merino, who headed it in, scoring in his second consecutive match.

The Gunners maintained control of the game and made a few attempts through Madueke, White, and Declan Rice, but Brentford's sturdy defence held firm. Moreover, the visitors had a colossal chance after a corner kick in the 21st minute, when David Raya parried the ball to the crossbar following Kevin Schade's header.

Arsenal kept the lead until the break, though Mikel Arteta got a new reason for a headache, as Cristhian Mosquera picked up an injury and was forced to leave the pitch. Jurrien Timber replaced him and White moved to the center of the defence, while Pierro Hincapie remained the only healthy genuine centre-back in the Spaniard's squad.

After the break, the visitors switched to a higher gear, while their manager Keith Andrews subbed on the Bees' top scorer Igor Thiago at the hour mark. At the same time, Arteta responded, sending Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze to the pitch.

The Spaniard's subs made an impact, as the Gunners shortly threatened twice over Riccardo Calafiori and Rice from distance, while Merino failed to tap in the close-range rebound after the Englishman's shot.

FALSE 10: Eze Trilogy - Prophet, Traitor, Achiever

The Italian had one more attempt in the dying minutes, which Caoimhin Kelleher stopped, but only minutes later, at the beginning of added time, Saka made it 2-0 after a counterattack, confirming Arsenal's victory and putting them five points clear of the first followers in the EPL table, Man City.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 14

Tuesday

Bournemouth - Everton 0-1 (0-0)

/Grealish 78/

Fulham - Manchester City 4-5 (1-3)

/Emile Smith Rowe 45+2, Alex Iwobi 57, Chukwueze 72, 78 - Haaland 17, Reijnders 37, Foden 44, 48, Berge 54 (og)/

Newcastle Tottenham 2-2 (0-0)

/Guimaraes 71, Gordon 86(p) - Romero 78, 90+5/

Wednesday

Arsenal - Brentford 2-0 (1-0)

/Merino 11, Saka 90+1/

Brighton - Aston Villa 3-4 (2-2)

/Van Hecke 9, 83, Torres 29 og - Watkins 37, 45+7, Onana 60, Malen 78/

Burnley - Crystal Palace 0-1 (0-1)

/Munoz 44/

Wolverhampton - Nottingham Forest 0-1 (0-0)

/Jesus 73/

Leeds - Chelsea IN PROGRESS

Liverpool - Sunderland IN PROGRESS

Thursday

23.00: (1.50) Manchester United (4.30) West Ham (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***