Arsenal continued their push for a Premier League top-four spot with a 2-1 win over Brentford at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side were relentless in the opening 45 minutes as they pinned Brentford back, their tally of 16 shots the most they’ve managed in a first-half in the league since 2017. But they had nothing to show for it as the Bees kept them at bay.
The goal came shortly after the break though, through Emile Smith Rowe, and Bukayo Saka doubled the lead late on for the home side.
Christian Norgaard pulled one back in the dying seconds but it didn’t stop Arsenal moving to within a point of Man United in fourth. They have two games in hand over Ralf Rangnick’s side, who face Leeds on Sunday.
It was a bright start from the Gunners, with Ben White’s flick from a corner causing problems and Bukayo Saka having a shot well saved.
White and Alexandre Lacazette both had separate penalty appeals waved away, before the Frenchman put the ball into the net with 13 minutes played. It was a calm finish from Granit Xhaka’s cross, but the offside flag quickly went up.
Martin Odegaard overplayed when in a good position inside the box, before Cedric Soares’ shot was charged down and Arsenal’s appeals for a penalty once were once again ignored.
The one-way traffic continued as White fired a strike straight at David Raya and Thomas Partey had two shots in a matter of seconds blocked, but Arsenal could not find an opening goal in the first-half despite their dominance.
It took just three minutes of the second-half for the deadlock to be broken. Lacazette played it wide to Smith Rowe and he brought it forward, drifted inside and then sent a lovely finish into the far corner from just inside the box.
The Gunners kept the pressure on as they looked for a second goal, with Partey sending an effort over from close range and Saka having a shot comfortably saved by Raya.
Odegaard missed a huge chance to double the lead as his tame effort was saved, and the rebound wouldn’t fall for Nicolas Pepe who come on for his first appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The result was put beyond doubt though with ten minutes remaining, as Saka drove into the box and rifled a brilliant finish into the far corner off the post to ease any nerves in the stands.
Christian Norgaard put the ball in the net for Brentford in the dying seconds as the Gunners failed to clear a set-piece, but there was no time for an equaliser as Arsenal secured victory and their top-four destiny remains very much in their own hands.
