Arsenal stumble again and draw Brentford at home in the Premier League

This Saturday, leaders Arsenal hosted Brentford at the Emirates Stadium for the 23rd round of the Premier League. The Gunners were only drawn 1-1 and could see Manchester City close the gap in second place.

The result takes Mikel Arteta’s team to 51 points on the table and is six points ahead of vice-leader City, who plays this Sunday against Aston VIlla. In the next round, Arsenal and Manchester City face each other in a duel for the top of the competition.

First time

Brentford had the best chances of the first half. After just five minutes, Ivan Toney launched a counterattack and crossed for Rico Henry, who was unable to adjust himself to finish and sent it out. At 25 minutes, Mbeumo invaded the area to the bottom line and touched back. Toney appeared to finish from the edge of the area, but stopped on the crossbar.

In the final stretch of the first half, the Gunners were calm to work the ball around the area. Ben White crossed for Xhaka, who headed in for Gabriel Martinelli to catch at first, but the Brazilian spurned the opportunity.

Second time

After the break, Arsenal came back better. Mikel Arteta took out Martinelli, who didn’t have a good start, and put the Belgian Trossard on the field. In the 21st minute of the second stage, Saka beat the marker in speed on the right and crossed in the area. Trossard appeared free at the second post and completed for the goal.

Brentford’s reaction showed at Toney’s feet. In the 29th minute, after hitting and rebounding in the area, Noorgard touched goalkeeper Ramsdale’s exit and the English striker only had the trouble of pushing to the back of the net with his head.

Arsenal tried a final push for an equaliser, but the visitors’ defense prevailed. Brentford lost just one game against the “Big Six” (Arsenal, Tottenham, United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea), precisely against the Gunners in the first round. The team led by Thomas Frank occupies the eighth position, with 34 points.