Arsenal completed a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening at the Emirates, leaving them top of the Premier League table by five points. It wasn’t a vintage display from Mikel Arteta’s men, but they did enough to get the better of the Bees with their seventh 2-0 victory of the season (in all competitions).
Arsenal’s Determination and Guile Grind Brentford Down
Another big three points at Emirates Stadium 🌟 pic.twitter.com/HvLdxXVMCC
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2025
Arteta shuffled his pack slightly for this one, with Ben White, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard coming into the starting XI. If the Arsenal players were disappointed with only managing a draw against 10-man Chelsea on Sunday, they didn’t show it as they made a fast start, creating early chances to get off the mark.
The opening goal wasn’t long in coming, as Madueke played a cheeky ball on the right flank to White, who whipped in the cross for Mikel Merino to nod home. It was the Spaniard’s fifth goal of the season (third in the Premier League), and he’s certainly enjoying life as a makeshift striker.
Arsenal Held Majority of Possession
As with most of their matches this term, Arsenal enjoyed the majority of the possession (61.9%, to be precise). They limited Brentford to just a single shot on target, but it was very close to being the equaliser. The Gunners’ marking was uncharacteristically lacking for a Brentford corner and Kevin Schade’s first-half header needed a fantastic reflex save from David Raya to push it onto the bar. Brentford never got as good a chance again, and the home side were well in control in the second half, albeit without creating too many clear-cut chances.
Match Substitutions
The home fans had to wait until injury time to cheer another Arsenal goal. Merino turned provider this time as he played in substitute Bukayo Saka whose shot was half saved by Caoimhin Kelleher but it looped just over the line to add a little gloss to the scoreline.
The Gunners have now gone 18 games unbeaten in all competitions, and this was their eighth straight win at the Emirates. With Chelsea losing to Leeds in midweek and Manchester City looking somewhat shaky in their rather ridiculous 5-4 away win at Fulham, could it now be Arsenal’s title to lose, or are there twists and turns ahead?
Can Anyone Stop Arsenal’s Title Charge?
As things stands, Arsenal are top with 33 points from their 14 matches, with Man City in second on 28 points, Aston Villa (who won at Brighton on Wednesday) in third on 27 points, and Chelsea in fourth on 24. The chasing pack, who all have 21 points or more, includes Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Brighton, Everton, Man United, and current champions Liverpool. None of those, however, look likely to maintain enough consistency to seriously challenge the Gunners and, realistically, if anyone is going to catch them, it is likely to be Man City, fired on by Erling Haaland’s goals.
The Cityzens
On the other hand, Pep Guardiola’s men have looked ragged this term and though they’ve had a handful of excellent performances, their last two wins (against Leeds and Fulham) have been narrow victories that could have slipped to draws. They do, however, have a relatively kind run of fixtures during December, so the Cityzens could use the festive period to build up a head of steam, and any slips from the Gunners will only bolster City’s determination to usurp them.
Tough Away Games to Come
Arsenal, meanwhile, have a couple of very tough away games coming up. First, they must travel to the West Midlands to face an Aston Villa side who’ve won their last five home matches in the league. Unai Emery’s men have also won eight of their last nine EPL matches, home and away, their only defeat in that time coming at Anfield against Liverpool. Emery would love to get one over on his former club, and victory for Villa would certainly put them in contention to be viewed as contenders in the title race.
Festive Period Crucial
After what should be a relatively easy three points at home against rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Gunners have another tricky away day when they visit David Moyes’ Everton. The Toffees have lost a couple of home matches, to Tottenham and Newcastle, which will give Arteta hope, but they got two draws against Arsenal last term and they certainly won’t roll over in this one. The festive period will be crucial for Arsenal’s title chances, and if they come through unscathed, ideally with their rivals dropping more points, it really will be the Gunners’ title to lose.