With around 20 minutes to play, Merino ought to have doubled his personal tally for the night and Arsenal’s lead. When Kelleher parried a low strike from Declan Rice, the rebound fell for Merino, only for him to stumble as he stretched for the loose ball and knock it out of play.

Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka score as Arsenal beat Brentford to restore their five point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

One of Mikel Arteta's most-reliable players of the past few seasons has waited patiently for a chance to perform in the Premier League

In LaLiga, Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 3-0 with over Athletic Club while Barcelona remained top of the league with a 3-1 win against Atletico Madrid. In the headline clash in the DfB-Pokal, Bayer Leverkusen eliminated Borussia Dortmund with a 1-0 win.

The top team in the English Premier League looks to grab a midweek victory on Wednesday, as Arsenal gets set to host Brentford. Arsenal has not quite found a way to distance itself from the pack, but the club that has come close to finishing at the top of the mountain in recent years is doing its best to stay in first place.

Arsenal hope to bounce back from a weekend slip as they return home to meet fellow London side Brentford on Wednesday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to drop influential trio Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurriën Timber to the bench for Wednesday night’s Premier League clash

This new strategy is epitomised by the recent recruitments of twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Ecuador, set to arrive in London in 2027. Shamrock Rovers youngster Victor Ozhianvuna, also 16, is set to join Arsenal when he turns 18 in January 2027.