One Arsenal player must be really unhappy despite the 2-0 win vs Brentford

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Arsenal picked up a well-deserved 2-0 win against Brentford in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta made plenty of changes to his side from the draw at Chelsea, but that didn’t seem to matter at all as the hosts started the game brilliantly.

Mikel Merino opened the scoring for Arsenal through a lovely header, and Bukayo Saka sealed the win late in the second half.

Everyone associated with the club must be delighted, but one player may just be a bit upset because he has likely lost his place in the side – Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres must be upset despite Arsenal’s win over Brentford

Merino was preferred up top once again ahead of Gyokeres for Arsenal’s game against Brentford on Wednesday night.

The Swede only returned from his injury on Sunday, and he is being eased back into full fitness.

Merino, who has been tasked with playing up top due to Kai Havertz’s unavailability, has been absolutely incredible for the Gunners.

He is Arsenal’s top scorer in 2025, and his goal against the Bees would’ve made every great centre-forward proud.

Merino has seven direct goal contributions in his last six appearances as a striker for Arsenal, which is a phenomenal return.

Gyokeres, who was brought in to be the Gunners’ first-choice striker, now finds himself in a difficult position.

There’s no way Arsenal manager Arteta can drop Merino now after his recent performances. The Spaniard deserves to keep his place and will likely continue playing up top.

That must make Gyokeres upset, but hopefully, he uses that to bring out the best version of himself in the coming games.

Mikel Merino’s stats in 2025 are truly incredible

When Arsenal signed Merino in the summer of 2024, he wasn’t expected to play a big part.

The Spaniard was mostly viewed as a backup midfielder, but circumstances forced Arteta to deploy him as a striker even though he had never played in that position before.

That decision has proved to be an incredible one.

Since the turn of the year, Merino has directly contributed to 30 goals for club and country, which is an outrageous return.

He is also Arsenal’s top scorer this year and has scored more headed goals than any other Premier League player in 2025 as well.

Merino, who has been compared to Frank Lampard, is a tremendous player, and if he continues his great form, he could keep Gyokeres out of the side for a long time.