Arsenal got themselves back on track last night with a 2–0 win over Brentford at the Emirates, a game that was far more uncomfortable than the score line suggests, but one that restored the five-point cushion at the top of the table. With injuries piling up like empty energy drink cans on a student’s desk, Mikel Arteta had to make changes again — and those changes ended up shaping the entire evening.
Ben White returned. Martin Ødegaard returned. Noni Madueke returned.
And the right-hand side? Well, that came back with a vengeance.
White looked like a man who had spent the last few weeks sitting on the bench thinking, “You lot must’ve forgotten.” And he set about reminding everyone from the opening whistle. He overlapped. He underlapped. He threw himself into challenges. He made the kind of runs that say, “I am absolutely not losing my spot permanently.”
It was fitting, then, that Arsenal’s opener came from him.
A neat one-two with Madueke.
An overlapping burst.
A delicious cross.
And there was Mikel Merino, arriving like a moody Spanish No. 9, planting a header into the bottom corner after just 11 minutes.
Mikel Merino goal against Brentford 🌟
— Ifeanyichukwu 🐯 (@Nuel042) December 4, 2025
Football is not just a game but an art 🎬 pic.twitter.com/k7Z1tXCSDa
Merino, the midfielder-turned-striker-by-necessity, continues to live out the strangest character arc of the season. That’s now 21 goals in 2025 across Arsenal and Spain. Twenty-one. From someone who was supposed to be a stop gap.
After last night, Mikel Merino now has 30 goals and assists in 2025. THIRTY.
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) December 4, 2025
The Spaniard continues to amaze me.
I still don’t know how he’s so good as a number nine, but he is and I love it. pic.twitter.com/Z2Uv9fpSNj
We are now at the point where, when Gyökeres or Jesus returns, Arteta will have to weigh up whether disrupting Merino’s form is worth it. A problem, yes — but one of the nice ones.
If last night’s game had swung the other way, we’d be talking about it all week.
Kevin Schade’s header from a Brentford corner looked like the kind of goal that always goes in against you — close range, powerful, downward. But Raya reacted like someone whose reflexes have been enhanced by illegal experimental technology. A fingertip. Onto the bar. Away from danger.
Save of the season contender, honestly.
David Raya's crucial save to keep @Arsenal in front! ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/RuslfjBWh9
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 3, 2025
And it’s worth saying: we concede fewer chances like that when Gabriel and Saliba play together. The chopped-and-changed back line means chaos moments creep in. But credit where due — this one didn’t become a disaster.
Just before halftime, Cristhian Mosquera went up for a challenge, landed awkwardly, and immediately signalled for help. Timber came on at centre-half — his versatility continues to be invaluable — but the sight of Mosquera hobbling off did little for the collective blood pressure of Arsenal fans.
Another one for the list.
Another one for the physios.
Another one for Arteta to navigate.
As if that wasn’t enough, Declan Rice later asked to come off feeling his calf. Because of course he did. Because the football Gods must dine on Arsenal’s fitness every winter.
Brentford came out after the break like they’d been promised a bonus for every successful press. Arsenal couldn’t find a rhythm. Passes went astray. The midfield got swallowed up in the chaos. It became one of those matches you don’t enjoy; you just endure.
And yet — for all their industry — Brentford didn’t produce a single shot on target in the second 45.
We weren’t slick, but we were solid.
We weren’t flowing, but we weren’t fragile either.
Arteta brought on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze to settle things. Madueke had a few nearly-moments. Merino threw in some shithousery in the box that almost earned a penalty. Rice had a shot saved. Still, the second goal wouldn’t come.
Not until the 90th minute, anyway.
He’d already missed a sitter at the back post, but Bukayo Saka rarely leaves the pitch without leaving a mark.
Merino threaded a lovely ball in behind. Saka took the shot. Kelleher saved.
The ball looped. Everyone held their breath. And it dropped—slowly, beautifully—over the line. The referee’s watch buzzed. 2–0.
Job done.
Arteta’s Words
On Merino:
“He knew we had a major problem. He said ‘I’ll help you’ and he has. And now he is doing even more. The team is grateful and he is enjoying himself.”
On Ben White:
“He’s always been there for us. Even when he wasn’t playing, he kept his attitude perfect. Tonight he showed his best again. I’m really happy for him.”
Arteta also had a few sharp words for the scheduling — Wednesday night and then Saturday morning — but as usual, nothing will change. The machine keeps grinding, and Arsenal will have to grind with it.
A first clean sheet since early November.
A striker who isn’t a striker but scores like one.
Ben White is back with a statement.
Saka sealing it late.
And a five-point lead was restored.
Not pretty. Not free-flowing.
But exactly what was needed.
Onwards.
COYG. Come on Arsenal
