Arsenal held by Brentford as they miss chance to restore six-point lead at top

At a glance

  • Madueke opens scoring in second half with superb header across goal

  • Lewis-Potter levels with header from throw-in set-piece

  • Arsenal miss chance to restore six-point lead at top of Premier League

  • Gunners centre-back Saliba misses match with illness

  • PLAYER RATER

Alex Howell
Football reporter at Gtech Community Stadium

Arsenal missed the chance to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League in a frustrating draw at Brentford.

The Gunners' lead at the top was halved when Manchester City beat Fulham on Wednesday and Mikel Arteta's side faced a tough assignment against a Brentford side who had lost just twice at home this season.

It was a subdued performance in the first half as Arsenal struggled to break down a well organised Brentford side, but they took the lead in the 61st minute when Noni Madueke headed Piero Hincapie's cross back across goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

It looked as though it was going to be an important win in the title race but Keane Lewis-Potter reacted quickest to head in a flick-on in the area after a trademark Michael Kayode throw-in in the 71st minute.

Brentford continued to threaten from set-pieces as the game drew to a close, even though Arteta introduced substitutes Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Riccardo Calafiori as he looked to secure the win.

Both sides had chances to win it late on, with Igor Thiago denied by an excellent tackle from Cristhian Mosquera and Arsenal's Martinelli denied by Kelleher in stoppage time.

Arsenal analysis: Draw will feel like missed opportunity in title race

Arsenal let game become chaotic - Arteta

Arsenal will be disappointed with the manner of this draw despite Brentford only losing twice at home this season.

The Gunners struggled to break down their resolute opponents in the first half, with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes having their best opportunity from a corner.

Arteta gave England international Eberechi Eze his first start in the league since December, but the number 10 did not take his chance with Kai Havertz out of the squad and was replaced by captain Martin Odegaard at half-time.

It looked as though Madueke's header was going to give the Gunners an important victory as they look to keep the chasing pack at bay but they were unable to keep out Brentford, who like Arsenal are one of the league's best sides at set-pieces.

The Gunners will be accused of starting to show signs of struggling under the pressure of trying to win a first title since 2004, but they face Wolves on Wednesday and can move seven points clear of Manchester City if they beat the league's bottom side.

Brentford Analysis: Bees continue to display strength

'Brentford more likely to win' - Andrews on draw with Arsenal

Brentford again produced a performance to show why they deserve to be seventh in the league, just five points behind fourth-place Manchester United.

Keith Andrews' side were well organised, as they have been all season, and looked to counter-attack quickly using the pace of Lewis-Potter and Dango Ouattara, while 17-goal striker Thiago consistently troubled the Arsenal backline.

Brentford's press frustrated the Gunners and forced the away side into a couple of loose passes across their own goal, which lifted the crowd and built confidence.

Thiago had two good chances late in the match and the victory would not have been undeserved considering the manner in which Brentford finished after getting level.

The performance was another sign that despite being many people's picks for relegation after a summer of upheaval, the Bees are pushing for a first ever European campaign.

What's next?

Arsenal are next in action when they host Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday (16:30) while Brentford travel to play non-league Macclesfield on Monday night (19:30).

Player of the match

C. Kelleher
7.74
1 C. Kelleher
7.74
23 K. Lewis-Potter
7.61
4 S. van den Berg
7.44
19 D. Ouattara
7.34
33 M. Kayode
7.32
8 M. Jensen
7.26
9 Igor Thiago
7.21
27 V. Janelt
7.20
20 K. Ajer
7.16
18 Y. Yarmoliuk
7.16
3 R. Henry
7.16
24 M. Damsgaard
7.09
6 J. Henderson
6.92
2 A. Hickey
6.87
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