ARSENAL 2-0 BRENTFORD: Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka were both on target on Wednesday night as the Gunners restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League

Goals in either half from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka successfully dispatched Brentford on a night that was soured by the sorry sight of Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera leaving the field with fitness blows.

This hard-fought, gritty win was far from pretty, however, it was living proof that the Gunners have it within the repertoire to hold their nerve and finally end their gruelling 22-year wait for Premier League title glory.

It was also the first time Arsenal had kept a clean sheet - their first since November 4 - since Gabriel Magalhaes' thigh injury.

The fact it was achieved without both of their first-

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