Arsenal go into international break on top of the Premier League table

A rampant Arsenal thrashed Brentford 3-0 to return to the top of the Premier League. Most of the damage was done before HT, with goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus sending Mikel Arteta’s side well on their way to a first away victory against the Bees since 1947.

Both goalkeepers made comfortable saves in the early exchanges as Gabriel Martinelli spurned a glorious chance for the visitors before Bryan Mbeumo’s looping header was caught.

The Gunners were ahead by the 17th minute, though, as Saliba met Bukayo Saka’s corner, perfectly flicking it onto the underside of the bar and narrowly over the line.
A header was Brentford’s undoing once again shortly afterward when Jesus doubled the lead, nodding on Granit Xhaka’s sumptuous clipped cross.

Indeed, Arsenal looked threatening every time they burst forwards, and the advantage could have been even greater had Saka, Xhaka, and Tierney not failed to hit the target with further shots.

The visitors were running riot, but the best was yet to come as summer signing Fábio Vieira marked his full PL debut with a 25-yard screamer, whipping a vicious effort into the back of the net straight after the break.

Only David Raya then stopped Jesus from grabbing his second before the keeper then made another fine stop to deny Saka.

Brentford attacks were few and far between, though substitute Mikkel Damsgaard did force Aaron Ramsdale into a smart save at his near post.

Ultimately, though, Thomas Frank’s side had no response as they suffered their heaviest defeat since moving to the Brentford Community Stadium in 2020, while this was just their third loss in their last 23 home London derbies.

Meanwhile, in the closing minutes, Arsenal brought on Ethan Nwaneri, who was born after the Emirates Stadium opened and, at 15 years and 181 days, became the youngest player in PL history.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu