Mikel Merino once again guides leader Arsenal in the Premier League

Arsenal FC beat Brentford FC 2-0 on matchday 14 of the Premier League, with a goal included by Spaniard Mikel Merino to maintain the Gunners’ cushion in the lead, while Chelsea FC lost their visit to Leeds United 3-1 and Aston Villa defeated Brighton & Hove Albion also away from home (3-4).

This Wednesday’s round of matches had its main focus at the Emirates Stadium, where the locals opened the scoring in the 11th minute thanks to a great play. Noni Madueke passed with a heel after a stomp to Ben White, who rushed to the baseline on the right side and crossed first into the heart of the area; and there, Merino headed header to establish the 1-0.

In the 21st minute, Brentford could have equalized with a header from Kevin Schade from a corner, but Spanish goalkeeper David Raya deflected the ball onto the crossbar in a providential manner. The second half was thicker and the local coach, Mikel Arteta, brought heavyweights off the bench. One of them, Bukayo Saka, scored with a left footed shot to make it 2-0 in extra time.

On the other hand, an early goal from Jaka Bijol and another from Ao Tanaka just before half-time put the surprising victory on track for Leeds, who had not won since last October 24, against a Chelsea that had not lost in any competition since a day later, on October 25.

Although Pedro Neto gave the visitors hope with his goal in the 50th minute, a serious error by centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 3-1 lead. That good run for the Blues ended at Elland Road, and to make matters worse they were overtaken in the table by an Aston Villa comebacker.

Despite leading 2-0 at the half hour mark at the AMEX Stadium, Unai Emery’s men tied before the break with a double from Ollie Watkins. After the restart, Amadou Onana made it 2-3 with a header from a corner and Donyell Malen made it 2-4 from close range, also from a set piece. In the end, Jan Paul van Hecke’s second goal did not prevent the visitors from winning.

That result left the ‘villains’ with 27 points in third place, just above Chelsea (24 pts.) and just below Manchester City, which is second with 28 points in its pursuit of a leader Arsenal that has 33 points. Fifth is Crystal Palace (23 pts.), who won 0-1 against Burnley, and sixth is Sunderland (23 pts.), who tied (1-1) on their visit to a Liverpool team in the doldrums and far from the lead with 22 points.