For a team chasing history, Arsenal’s night in west London felt like a reminder that nothing comes easy in a title race.
The Gunners arrived at Brentford knowing a win would stretch their Premier League lead to six points. Instead, they left with a 1-1 draw and a shrinking cushion at the top. Manchester City are now just four points behind, and the tension around this season’s championship chase has suddenly thickened.
Madueke gives Arsenal control
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After a tight first half, it was Noni Madueke who broke the deadlock just past the hour mark. Rising at the back post, he headed home from Piero Hincapie’s cross to give Arsenal the advantage they had been pushing for.
It seemed like the moment that would steady nerves.
Mikel Arteta had already been forced into adjustments. William Saliba missed out through illness, Kai Havertz was unavailable due to injury, and Martin Odegaard started on the bench before being introduced at half-time to inject urgency. The visitors looked sharper after the break, and Madueke’s goal felt deserved.
But instead of pressing home their dominance, Arsenal retreated.
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Brentford refuse to fold
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Brentford have built a reputation for unsettling bigger sides, especially at home. They have been beaten only twice on their own turf this season, and they showed exactly why.
Igor Thiago had already tested David Raya in the first half with a powerful header that demanded a stunning save from the Arsenal goalkeeper. As the game wore on, the Bees grew bolder.
Their equaliser came from a familiar strength. Michael Kayode launched a long throw into the box, Sepp van den Berg flicked it on, and Keane Lewis-Potter stole in to head past Raya. Arsenal, so often lethal from set pieces themselves, were undone by Brentford’s expertise in the same department.
From there, the momentum swung firmly towards the home side. Thiago went close again, and Brentford looked the more likely winners in the final 20 minutes. Only a crucial tackle from Cristhian Mosquera and a late miss from Thiago spared Arsenal from defeat.
Gabriel Martinelli had a chance to snatch it at the death, but Caoimhin Kelleher raced off his line to deny him.
A rollercoaster title race
Arsenal’s lead at the summit now stands at four points, and they still have to travel to face second-placed Manchester City in the remaining 12 matches.
Declan Rice was honest in his assessment after the final whistle.
“This is a rollercoaster of a season,” he said. “You cannot be naive to think this is going to be easy. We have to keep pushing and believing in ourselves.”
Rice insisted the squad must block out the growing noise around City’s resurgence. Pep Guardiola’s side have found momentum at a crucial time, and the gap that once looked commanding has narrowed quickly.
Arteta, meanwhile, pointed to a lack of composure once Arsenal went ahead. He admitted his team conceded unnecessary free kicks and allowed Brentford to turn the contest into a chaotic battle rather than maintaining control.
For a club chasing its first league title in 22 years, these fine margins matter. Arsenal remain in pole position, but the draw in west London will feel like an opportunity missed.
With City gathering pace and a direct showdown still to come, the Premier League crown is far from decided.
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Source: SuperSport
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