Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka were on target as Arsenal made it back-to-back Premier League wins with a 2-1 success over Brentford.
Smith Rowe took his tally for the season to 10 in all competitions with a fine individual effort in the 48th minute at Emirates Stadium.
And Saka secured the points for Mikel Arteta’s side when he drilled home with 11 minutes remaining, before Christian Norgaard’s consolation in the dying moments.
While the Gunners remain sixth in the table, they closed the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to a single point and still have two games in hand.
Arsenal, unbeaten in their previous 32 home Premier League games against promoted sides, dominated from the start, with Saka’s deflected strike testing David Raya before Alexandre Lacazette rounded off a neat move, only to be denied an opener by the offside flag.
Martin Odegaard had a shot blocked and Ben White volleyed at Raya as the hosts enjoyed 80.1 per cent of the possession during the first half, but a goal eluded them.
However, the breakthrough did arrive three minutes after the restart. Lacazette found Smith Rowe, who cut inside from the left before sweeping a low shot into the far corner.
Raya got down well to keep out Saka from distance as Arsenal went in search of a second, while the Spaniard also produced smart reflexes to deny Odegaard following Pontus Jansson’s loose header.
But Raya was powerless as the Gunners put the result beyond doubt – Thomas Partey feeding Saka, who arrowed a powerful shot in off the far post.
Brentford pulled one back through Norgaard deep into stoppage time; the Denmark international becoming only the second player for a promoted club to score home and away against Arsenal, but it was always likely to prove a consolation.
What does it mean? Persistence pays off for the Gunners
Arsenal registered 16 shots on target during the first half; the most by any Premier League team without scoring since Chelsea mustered 17 against Brighton and Hove Albion in September 2019.
However, they finally made the breakthrough after the restart; meaning Brentford become the ninth successive side to lose on their first Premier League visit to the Emirates.
Double figures for Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe continued to impress for the Gunners, scoring his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.
He had two shots in total, and finished the match with an 85 per cent passing accuracy, completing 34 of 40 passes in total.
Saka shines
Another academy graduate sealed the deal for Arsenal, with Saka taking his tally for the campaign to eight with a lovely strike.
The forward carried a great threat throughout the contest; registering game-high tallies of six shots and three on target. Meanwhile, only Cedric (16) delivered more crosses during the match (seven).
What’s next?
A rejuvenated Arsenal look to make it three wins on the bounce when they host Wolves at the Emirates on Thursday, while Brentford host Newcastle United in a huge game at the bottom.
