Arsenal regained its five-point lead in the Premier League by beating Brentford 2-0 despite being without a slew of its top players because of injury or rotation on Wednesday.

Mikel Merino headed home a cross from Ben White in the 11th minute for the opening goal. They were two of the backups starting the match for Arsenal, which was without the likes of first-choice center backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, who were injured, and began with stars Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze on the bench.

Saka came on as a substitute and added the second in stoppage time, his shot crawling over the line after being parried by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

Arsenal's squad depth is such this season that Mikel Arteta's team can withstand so many absences and still stay st

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