Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice look dejected after Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter scores their first aim. Photograph: REUTERS
LONDON:
Arsenal wasted the prospect to revive their six-point lead on the prime of the Premier League desk as they had been held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday, with Noni Madueke’s second-half header cancelled out by Keane Lewis-Potter.
The hosts had been the higher facet within the first half however couldn’t benefit from a nervy Arsenal begin, with goalkeeper David Raya pressured to make a pointy save from Igor Thiago.
Arsenal took the lead within the 61st minute by Madueke, who soared above Rico Henry and nodded Piero Hincapie’s ball again throughout aim and into the online.
Brentford deservedly levelled 10 minutes later, nonetheless, when Michael Kayode’s lengthy throw was flicked to the again submit the place Lewis-Potter despatched a thunderous header into the highest nook.
The draw was a good end result and lifted Arsenal on to 57 factors from 26 video games, 4 forward of Manchester Metropolis.
Brentford are seventh on 40 factors, 4 behind fifth-placed Chelsea and stay on track to qualify for European soccer for the primary time.
Their coach Keith Andrew advised reporters: “I am not going to discuss that. There are 12 video games left, however I do promise you we’re going to assault each single one in every of them … to see how a lot we will obtain this yr.”
Gunners combat again from nervy begin
Arsenal had adopted a mini-wobble of two factors from three video games with back-to-back league wins, although Manchester Metropolis’s 3-0 victory at Fulham on Wednesday stored the strain on.
The Gunners began shakily within the absence of defender William Saliba as Gabriel needlessly conceded a nook earlier than Raya nearly let a backpass squirm below his foot and over the road.
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta gave Eberechi Eze a primary league begin in 2026, however the England ahead was nameless and changed at halftime by captain Martin Odegaard.
The guests had been higher after the break and went forward when Brentford had been unable to clear their traces, Hincapie’s cross turned in by Madueke previous the flat-footed Caoimhin Kelleher.
Arsenal might have been out of sight when Declan Rice laid the ball on a plate for Viktor Gyokeres, however he was denied by Kayode’s last-ditch sort out.
Brentford equalised from Kayode’s throw-in, and Lewis-Potter’s aim shifted the momentum.
Thiago might have snatched victory late on however Cristhian Mosquera made an outstanding sort out. Kelleher then saved from Gabriel Martinelli one-on-one in a breathless finish to the sport.
Having briefly been 9 factors clear earlier than Manchester Metropolis got here from behind to beat Liverpool final weekend, Arsenal’s lead now stands at 4 factors however Arteta insisted his facet’s strategy wouldn’t change.
“We now have to do our job and we’re going to have to come back to all these locations, the identical as the remainder of the groups, and we all know how robust it’s,” he advised TNT Sports activities.
“You must be at your greatest each sport and have the luck that you just want as properly in video games to beat the three factors every week.”
