Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions suffered a setback after they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by an impressive Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Mikel Arteta’s team missing the opportunity to restore their six-point advantage.
Match Report
The Gunners encountered another tough examination of their championship credentials against a Bees side developing into serious contenders for European qualification. With Manchester City applying pressure following their victory over Fulham the day before, Arteta’s players began in unusually shaky fashion, as David Raya had to atone for a poor clearance with a superb save to deny Igor Thiago’s close-range header.
The home side looked sharp in possession, and Dango Ouattara was unlucky not to pick out a teammate with a dangerous cross from the right. Arsenal responded later with a prolonged spell of control around the Brentford penalty area, yet they will not look back fondly on the opening period after failing to produce a single shot on target before HT.
Only the clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford in December saw fewer first-half attempts in a PL game this season (three) than the four combined efforts recorded here before the break. Arteta’s side were determined to rediscover their scoring touch quickly and eventually made the breakthrough shortly after the hour. Piero Hincapié whipped in an excellent delivery from the left toward Noni Madueke, who drifted away from Rico Henry and sent a powerful header beyond Caoimhín Kelleher.
Brentford reacted positively to conceding, and Keane Lewis-Potter ought to have done better when he headed wide at the back post from Mathias Jensen’s corner. However, he made amends 10 minutes after Madueke’s opener by bringing the hosts level. Sepp van den Berg glanced on a trademark long throw from Michael Kayode, and Lewis-Potter was on hand to nod in at the far post. Keith Andrews’ team then appeared more likely to find a winner, with their direct set-piece strategy troubling the Gunners’ defence.
Thiago continued to pose a threat and was prevented from claiming all three points by a superb sliding tackle from Cristhian Mosquera. Both teams pushed for victory in a thrilling finale, with Thiago and Gabriel Martinelli each coming close in the closing stages. In the end, the spoils were shared, adding another layer of intrigue to the gripping title race. The outcome will be welcomed by Pep Guardiola’s side, who now sit just four points behind the Gunners at the summit. Meanwhile, Brentford stay in strong form in their chase for European football, holding seventh place and trailing Liverpool by two points.
