If Brentford turned up to the Emirates expecting a quiet evening, they must have been checking the postcode every five minutes. Because in north London right now, the lights are always on, the noise is always loud, and Mikel Arteta's men simply refuse to leave without all three points.
Tonight's 2–0 win made it 18 unbeaten in all competitions and, whisper it quietly, five points clear at the top. Arsenal aren't just grinding — they're cruising, and they're doing it with a swagger that's starting to feel very familiar.
MERINO WITH A DOWNWARD HEADER (AND THEN SOME)
If you'd said a year ago that the words "White to Madueke to Merino, goal" would be part of Arsenal's attacking vocabulary, you'd have been booked for time-wasting. But here we are — Ben White popping up like an auxiliary playmaker, Noni Madueke flicking balls like he's auditioning for Cirque du Soleil, and Merino thundering home headers like it's the most natural thing in the world.
Madueke's first start since September? Didn't look like it. Rico Henry will be shaking the studs out of his boots for a week.
And the goal itself? Textbook. Madueke → White → Merino → boom. Header into the ground, bounced up and beyond Kelleher, who is probably still trying to work out which postcode the ball landed in. Goal No. 5 of the season for the Spaniard. Goal No. 21 of his ridiculous 2025. And if he carries on like this, they'll be renaming the Mersey Tunnel after him by Christmas.
Brentford tried to do Brentford things — corners, chaos, and aerial bombardments — but David Raya's reflexes were on loan from a pinball machine. One save from Kevin Schade was so good it should've come with its own tribute video.
Everywhere you looked, Arsenal were purring. Calafiori backheeling like a man who wants a statue. Martinelli leaning back just a bit too much. Madueke nearly capping off a first half that could power an entire TikTok compilation.
SAKA DOES WHAT SAKA DOES
Brentford kept flinging long throws like they were trying to restart a medieval siege, but Arsenal's back line stood firm. After the hour mark, on came Eze and Saka, like Arteta dropping a piano onto a trampoline — and the game immediately changed shape.
Rice went close from distance. Calafiori tried to break the net. Merino kept trying to complete his hat-trick of "almosts." Kelleher, to his credit, was having the game of his life, which is probably why he looked so fed up when the inevitable finally arrived.
It was classic Saka:
Merino slides in a through ball so perfect it should be framed.
Saka cuts inside onto that left foot.
And Kelleher?
He might as well have been holding an umbrella.
Ball. Top bin. Game over.
Victory wrapped, points sealed, gap at the top maintained. N5 in full voice.
What's coming up?
Hope the lads packed their travel pillows — it's a busy week:
- Aston Villa (Away) — Saturday, December 6, 12.30pm
- Club Brugge (Away) — Wednesday, Champions League League Phase, Match 6
Two away days, two big atmospheres, two more chances to keep this unstoppable run rolling.
The Loose Cannon verdict:
Arsenal look confident. They look composed. They look ruthless.
But most importantly…
They look top of the league.
And long may that continue.
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