Arsenal re-opened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to a win over their London rivals Brentford.
Mikel Merino’s early header looked like setting Arsenal on their way to a comfortable victory, but it was not until Bukayo Saka’s goal in the first minute of added time that the league leaders could afford to breathe easily.
The Athletic’s James McNicholas assesses the key talking points…
Is Merino Arsenal’s first-choice striker… for now?
At what point does Mikel Merino stop being a makeshift striker and just become a striker? Fresh from his equaliser at Chelsea, Merino opened the scoring against Brentford with a well-placed header. It was his fourth goal in six games — a period in which he’s also made three assists, including for Saka’s late goal. Arteta’s discussion of Merino suggests he continues to see him as a midfielder doing a job.
But at some point you have to wonder whether he’s missed his vocation. In his Arsenal career to date, Merino has had considerably more opportunities — and impact — as a centre-forward.
He’s not as athletic as Kai Havertz, nor as explosive as Viktor Gyokeres — and should have converted a rebound to make it 2-0. But crucially, the team functions well with Merino as its focal point. The decision to pick him against Brentford may also have been made with his aerial ability in mind. Arsenal needed all hands to the pump to defend against Brentford’s set-piece threat.
Gyokeres is available again, and came on as a substitute here. Havertz is just weeks away from his return. For the time being, however, the shirt is Merino’s. He has earned his place on merit.
Merino heads Arsenal into an early lead against Brentford (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Is this now an injury crisis?
Another game, another injury worry for Arsenal. Already shorn of their two first-choice centre-backs, Gabriel and William Saliba, they lost another central defender in this game. Shortly before half-time, Cristhian Mosquera was added to the club’s ever-replenishing injury list.
Fortunately, Arteta is blessed with defenders of great versatility, and if they continue to pick up injuries at this rate, they will need it.
Although primarily used as full-backs, the likes of Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are equally adept at centre-half. In this case it was Timber who emerged from the bench to fill in.
The good news for Arsenal is that Saliba is not expected to be too far away from a return — on Tuesday, Arteta suggested the France international would be available within “a matter of days”.
Arsenal fans will be concerned too for Declan Rice, withdrawn with what appeared to be a calf complaint. The England midfielder has been in imperious form this season, and would be a huge miss if absent for any length of time.
Cristhian Mosquera limps off against Brentford (Nigel French/Getty Images)
How did the refreshed right side get on?
After a huge week of games against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, it was almost certain that Arteta would rotate his team somewhat for Brentford’s visit.
The manner in which he chose to do that was interesting, refreshing the right-sided pod. Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were replaced by Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke.
This was White’s first Premier League start since the opening weekend against Manchester United, and Odegaard and Madueke’s first since returning from injuries in September and October respectively.
In the first half, the new trio combined well. A back-flick from Madueke released White to create Merino’s goal. Most of Arsenal’s threat in the first 45 minutes came down that side, with Madueke’s one-on-one dribbling particularly impressive.
One would imagine that Timber and Saka will come back in for the visit to Villa Park on Saturday. The latter showed his importance with the late goal to settle Arsenal’s nerves.
Perhaps the most interesting decision will surround central midfield, and whether Arteta finds a way to accommodate both Odegaard and Eze. With doubts persisting over the fitness of Leandro Trossard, it may be that Eze moves out to the left, enabling Odegaard to continue in his customary central role.
What next for Arsenal?
Saturday, December 6: Aston Villa (Away), Premier League, 12.30pm UK, 7.30am ET
