Bukayo Saka Shines As Arsenal Beat Brentford At Emirates Stadium

 

Arsenal are back in winning form, earning the maximum points from their 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates. Effectively, extending the lead over the nearest rivals in the Premier League table by five points.  

Coming into the game, Arsenal had a setback in their previous game over the weekend; a 1-1 draw against Chelsea was the last outcome they wanted. Obviously, the scores were not satisfactory as the players left the pitch remorsefully. Today's game restored the vibrancy, having secured the points needed to stay clear of Manchester City. 

Earlier, the hosts narrowly escaped trailing their opponents after a glancing header clipped the framework. They responded to the situation as Merino glided for a header, nodding home Ben White's cross, and put the side in the lead. 

Arsenal left it late to double the lead. However, they had first come close to scoring twice as Merino and Bukayo Saka failed to score from rebound shots inside the area. Saka later doubled the lead in the closing minutes, darting down the center after Merino played him in a counter. He rounded two defenders and struck a goal-bound shot, which Caoimhim Kelleher poorly saved into the net in the 90th+1 minute.

The Gunners have remained unbeaten in all competitions since their last defeat against Newcastle in September. They maintain the top of the Premier League with 33 points, which is five points clear nearest rivals, Manchester City. 

Overview 

Arsenal, though, desperately needed to win the match, kept the starting lineup moderate, and it was effective. Noni Madueke was strongly held at bay by Rico Henry and Ethan Pinnock. Madueke was blocked on two occasions when he had glaring chances to put the first half to bed. Arsenal fairly held off their opponents from a surprise onslaught. By the way, Brentford almost took the lead early. They appeared to be good with set pieces. 

The hosts got a facelift in the second half with changes made in the frontline. Bentford were not allowed possession for a long time in the midfield, with great effort coming from Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze. This helped the Gunners to sustain the status quo, and the wings were better off even as they struggled to penetrate effectively. However, Brentford loosened up, and Arsenal took the chance. It was well-crafted. Saka took a cue from his previous miss and calmly converted the second chance into a winner.