Arsenal 2-0 Brentford: Player ratings as Gunners secure crucial win in London derby

Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over London rivals Brentford to return to winning ways and go five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Mikel Arteta made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Chelsea with Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze dropping out for Ben White, Noni Madueke and Martin Ødegaard. There was no starting chance for Viktor Gyökeres as Mikel Merino kept his spot up front.

It was the perfect start for the Gunners as after just 10 minutes, they took the lead through everyone's favourite makeshift striker Merino, proving Arteta right to have kept him in the side. White looked back to his best instantly, playing a superb cross in for the Spaniard to head past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford immediately pushed to level matters and went so close to doing so when Kevin Schade met a corner to head toward David Raya, but the Spaniard reacted in outstanding fashion to turn the effort onto the crossbar.

Arsenal went on the hunt for a second with Madueke, White and Gabriel Martinelli all having opportunities to double their side's advantage, but they couldn't convert their chances, meaning their side went into the break with just a 1-0 lead.

The Bees came out from half-time as the stronger side as they put plenty of pressure on their hosts in the hunt for an equaliser. While they did win a spate of corners, the Gunners held firm to keep their lead intact.

Arteta's side soon found their groove again and continued to search for a second. Declan Rice saw an effort from range well saved by Kelleher with Merino unable to convert on the follow-up.

The second goal finally came for Arsenal and it was substitute Bukayo Saka who found it in stoppage time. He was played through by Merino and cut inside before striking at goal. Kelleher got a hand to the effort, but couldn't stop it from going over the line.

Arsenal saw out the closing stages to bounce back from their draw at Chelsea with a crucial victory, sending them five points clear at the top of the table.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their win over Brentford.

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Made an outstanding reaction save to deny Schade an equaliser. His distribution was good as he failed to be tested much more by his former side.

Ben White (RB) - 8.5/10 - Played a great cross in for Merino to head in the opener. Made a number of marauding runs down the right side and was really solid defensively.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 6.5/10 - Almost assisted Madueke with a neat through ball, but was denied by some good defending. Forced off before half-time due to injury.

Piero Hincapié (CB) - 7/10 - Faced the occasional test from the Brentford frontline, but had a comfortable night for the most part.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7/10 - Did well on the left side of defence once again. Played the inverted role and even found himself up top at times. Made a great individual run late on and was denied a brilliant goal by Kelleher.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 7/10 - Tried to be involved in his first start since early October. Played some neat passes and also had a shot blocked in the first half.

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 7/10 - Didn't have to do much, but had a quietly good night at the base of midfield. Found himself high up the pitch linking with his teammates on occasion.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - Operated brilliantly in the midfield, making darting runs and playing dangerous passes. Could've had an assist with a great low cross for Madueke, but the shot was blocked. Denied a great strike by Kelleher. Taken off in the closing stages.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7.5/10 - Almost grabbed a second for his side when he showed great skill before shooting, only to see his shot saved. Looked impressive on the right flank before being withdrawn.

Mikel Merino (ST) - 8.5/10 - Headed in the opener when he did brilliantly to rise to meet White's cross and beat Kelleher. Regularly dropped back to help out in midfield and assisted Saka late on to cap off another top performance.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 6.5/10 - Fired over midway through the first half and arguably should have done better. Made some good runs and drifted into the middle often. Taken off after the hour.

Substitutes

• Jurrien Timber (on 43' for Mosquera) - 7.5/10
• Bukayo Saka (on 61' for Madueke) - 7.5/10
• Eberechi Eze (on 61' for Martinelli) - 6.5/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 83' for Rice) - N/A

Player of the match: Ben White