LONDON (REUTERS) - Second-half goals from Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday (Feb 19) and keep pace in the top four race.

Victory means The Gunners remain sixth with 42 points, level with West Ham - who have played three games more - and just one behind Manchester United in fourth, whom Arsenal have played two games fewer than.

Forward Alexandre Lacazette saw an effort ruled out for offside in the first quarter of an hour, while his penalty claims in the build up were also waved away.

Further shouts for a spot kick were again dismissed five minutes before the break when Cedric Soares's shot struck the arm of the sliding Yoane Wisa.

Arsenal did not have to wait long after the restart to open the scoring as Smith-Rowe showed quick feet before firing in on 48 minutes, before Saka sealed the victory 11 minutes from time with a sweeping counter attack.

Christian Norgaard pulled one back for Brentford in stoppage time, however it was not enough to stop Thomas Frank's side slipping to their sixth defeat in seven games.