Magnificent Merino fires Arsenal to victory over Brentford | OneFootball

Mikel Merino continued to prove his effectiveness as a striker by helping Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates.

Preferred to the fit again Viktor Gyokeres, Merino opened the scoring by heading in from Ben White’s cross to score his fifth goal of the season.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta opted to rotate his starting 11 from the side which drew with Chelsea on Sunday, with Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber dropping out.

But Arteta’s side took control early on through Merino, though despite their dominance could not add to their lead, while the Bees went close to equalising when Kevin Schade forced David Raya to tip his header onto the crossbar.

But in second-half stoppage time, Bukayo Saka raced onto a Merino through ball before finishing past Caoimhin Kelleher to see Arsenal back to winning ways.

Arteta has been dealt another injury concern in defence, however, with Christhian Mosquera forced off in the first half.