Arsenal 2-0 Brentford - Premier League result as Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka goals secure three points but a pair of injuries dampen spirits

Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka were enough to down a spirited and heavily rotated Brentford side and push The Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

However, the victory came at a cost as Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice both left the field with injuries ahead of Arsenal’s clash with high-flying Aston Villa and a busy Christmas period domestically and in Europe.

The returning Ben White and Noni Madueke, who terrorised the left side of The Bees’ defence all evening, combined to set up Merino for the opener. Madueke set White free on the right flank and he took full advantage by lifting in a tempting cross for Merino, who got in front of Ethan Pinnock and powered a devilish header into the turf and past Caoimhin Kelleher.

David Raya had to be at his best soon after when Kevin Schade fired a brilliant header goalwards, only for the Spaniard to produce an even better fingertip save and push the ball onto the crossbar.

That proved to be Brentford's best moment of the game but not Arsenal's worst as Mosquera landed awkwardly after competing for a high ball and had to be substituted for Jurrien Timber, with William Saliba and Gabriel already out injured.

Brentford were strong either side of half-time but faded from there as Arsenal enjoyed the better of the final 30 minutes - Merino twice went close before Rice went down clutching his calf and was also withdrawn, though he left under his own steam.

Despite the introduction of a collection of Brentford's best stars from the bench, including Igor Thiago, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson, The Bees were unable to turn the tide and when Saka latched onto Merino's through ball, he killed the game as Kelleher got his hand to the winger's finish but could not prevent it bouncing over the goalline.

Well that's all from our coverage of Arsenal versus Brentford, but you don't have to go anywhere to catch the last 20 minutes of the two pivotal remaining Premier League clashes tonight.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool need to find goals and you can follow either match (and tomorrow's clash between Man United and West Ham) through our live text coverage linked below.

FT - Brighton 3-4 Aston Villa

FT - Burnley 0-1 Crystal Palace

FT - Wolves 0-1 Nottingham Forest

70' - Leeds 2-1 Chelsea

70' - Liverpool 0-1 Sunderland

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Arsenal's unbeaten run extends to 18 games, 15 of which have been victories and could will end the night five points clear at the top of the table.

And they did it with a businesslike performance in the type of banana peel game that has cost them two Premier League titles in the last three seasons.

A heavily rotated Brentford played well and could've equalized in the first half, but struggled to trouble David Raya in the second half, they'll hope for better against Tottenham at the weekend.

Having lost its voice after the Rice injury (though Hincapie has returned), the Emirates Stadium is now singing loud and proud. Arsenal will return to winning ways after dropping two points against Chelsea, who remain in a two-point hole against Leeds.

It's job done for The Gunners! Moments after missing that chance, the talisman is bearing down on goal again after beating Mikkel Damsgaard with his run and latching onto Merino's pass.

Kelleher gets his hand to Saka's missile but the ball bounces high and goalwards, with the goalkeeper unable to scramble back and scoop it to safety before it had clearly crossed the line.

That's a remarkable chance for Arsenal, yet somehow Brentford remain alive in this game! The Brentford defence mysteriously parted as Calafiori bore down on goal and he took full advantage, firing a stinging effort across Keller that the Irishman could only prod out towards Saka.

But in the same area that Merino stumbled with the net gaping, Saka scuffs his effort and it rolls harmless for Kelleher to gather.

Both players hit the floor clutching their heads after battling for an aerial ball, and it looks like the Gunner has come off worse.

It may just be precautionary as Rice was able to leave the pitch under his own steam, but it's certainly sapped some of the life from the crowd.

He's gone down holding his calf and this is more concern for Arteta. Rice is the player Arsenal can least afford to lose.

Those Brentford changes are yet to settle, as Kelleher is coming under more and more pressure from the the Arsenal press.

Andrews has played his final hand, turning to Keane Lewis-Potter and Nathan Collins for Henry and Pinnock, that latter of whom might've picked up an injury.

Chelsea's evening is going from bad to worse while Arsenal's gets better and better - you can read all the latest from Elland Road here:

That's perhaps some cosmic justice on Merino. Once again, Kelleher can only push a shot from distance into the path of the striker and with the Irishman prone, this time Merino only has to get the ball on target and it will surely be 2-0.

However, he trips as he races onto the ball and stubs the ball wide, in a huge let off for Brentford.

In a shocking turn of events, Merino springs back up to his feet after giving a reaction deserving of a career-ending challenge and VAR won't overrule the referee, judging Merino initiated contact.

Kelleher parried a Calafiori shot into the path of Merino, then dashed out to block a shooting angle for the Spaniard who throws himself to the floor and rolls at least three times clutching his ankle. The referee appears unmoved but these days you're never sure...

Saka almost made it 2-0 straight away! The ball is dragged back to the winger, but he can't find the back of the net. Meanwhile Yermolyuk has picked up the first booking of the evening.

There's a massive combined five changes by the managers, but the biggest cheer is for Bukayo Saka who replaces Madueke as Eze is on for Martinelli.

Andrews goes one better, inserting Mikkel Damsgaard, Igor Thiago and Jordan Henderson into the fray in place of Schade, Janelt and Jensen.

Both managers are preparing their bomb squads to enter the field.

It takes a rousing song by the Emirates Stadium, but the league leaders are finally playing like it. Martinelli looks to be fully recovered and dances inside from the left flank, and is only stopped because none of his teammates can get free.