LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Arsenal regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Merino's early goal and a late one from substitute Bukayo Saka earned them an efficient 2-0 home victory over Brentford on Wednesday.

Spaniard Merino headed in from Ben White's cross after 11 minutes as the hosts stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 but it was a night of hard graft and nerves as Brentford pushed them hard.