Arsenal held to 1-1 draw by Brentford in Premier League
Gunners miss chance to go six points clear
Man City now four points behind Mikel Arteta's side
Keane Lewis-Potter heads Brentford level after Noni Madueke opener
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
An enthralling night of Premier League football comes to an end and so does this live text.
Arsenal's lead at the top is now four points as Brentford earn a much-deserved point.
We'll see you again tomorrow for some FA Cup fourth-round action.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports
Every year you're in the job you learn more. The criticism he [Mikel Arteta] gets, he has the best squad in the league, he has a good group of players now, he has been in the job a long time. I don't think there are top, top teams in the league now.
Man City are not the Man City of old, Liverpool aren't, Manchester United aren't what they have been, Chelsea the same. There is a lack of quality in the top areas [of the league]. The bar has been set high in the past years. Now is a real opportunity for Arsenal. If they don't get over the line, there needs to be more questions answered.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
Nothing has really gone wrong here for Arsenal – big drama, let's move on.See, you get knocked down, you get up again. Let's see who the fighters are and let's see who is going to win this.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "A really tough place to come, we knew that. Very difficult to dominate the game for long periods because they are very good.
"Anything can happen and something really bad can happen. You have to navigate through that.
"It is part of the game. Sometimes you don't start that well and sometimes it is credit to the opposition as well.
"We have to do our job, we have to come to all these places same like the rest of the teams. We know how tough it is and you have to be at your best every game and you need the luck as well to get the three points."
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat Man City have got is the know-how and the recent history behind them.
That can lead to nervous tensions around the stadium, certainly around the back end of the season.
Having someone like Man City and Pep behind you – you are always going to be looking over your shoulder.
But you would much rather be in Arsenal's position.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was more likely to go our way. They were very good at the start of the second half. We go a goal down and the reaction we showed was sensational. The chances we created, it doesn't take a genius to realise which team are more likely to win it.
"They grew in confidence, dealt with the setback, got a grip of what we did with the ball. We showed bravery and courage and willingness to run hard and compete."
On set-pieces: "We were brilliant from set pieces. I loved our body language and demeanour. I really liked the way we approached it and the appetite and aggression."
On if it was a statement performance: "I watched a lot of Arsenal and am a big fan of the way they play the game. I don't see many teams give them a game like that. The lads are in a good place."
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
The manager [Mikel Arteta] was very honest and very open.
When they reflect on this, obviously they weren't at their best, but they have come away a point.
Arsenal scraped through here tonight. They could have put down a big marker if they won the match, but it never looked like that was going to be the case.
Arsenal will see that as a good pint well-earned, in the end I think.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesEberechi Eze was a bit of a passenger. For some reason, it feels at the moment that Mikel Arteta doesn't fancy him. For whatever reason. That is going to damage his England's chances.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
If you can't win it, then you can't lose it, it is one of those. In the past, we have seen Arsenal teams not get what they needed.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport: "The game had moments. We started without the control and dominance we wanted but after that we got the rhythm and had situations to score.
"We started the second half brilliantly. We scored the goal and then we controlled the game but after that the game became chaotic. The moment you start to give away one or two free-kicks, the ball goes into the channels in can go out for a throw and then it is a nightmare. They can throw the ball from anywhere on the pitch. You get into that game and it is very difficult to get out.
"They are one of the best historically in the league [from set-pieces] and they have developed this year with the long throw. It is a real threat and difficult to defend.
"We were giving free-kicks away you cannot do. We should have had more composure to play through them.
"We wanted to win so we feel like we dropped two points. They are very difficult. We keep going."
Click on 'Get involved' at the top of this page
What has Arteta done to Eze? No confidence and form dropping and he rarely starts. Gyokeres just hasn’t got it at this level.
Stephen, Cheshire
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports
Keith Andrews asked for 'chaos' and he certainly got that.
Out of all the games in the Premier League, to come to Brentford, we knew it was going to be difficult and it proved to be the case.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to TNT Sports: "Didn't get the win, but I thought we were excellent. In most aspects for most of the game against a top, top team.
"Martin Odegaard changed the dynamic of it and how they played. I thought we were excellent for the last 30 minutes and looked the team most likely to win.
"The attitude, application, and the intent I am big on that. The intent always has to be right, it always has to be positive.
"Ability is one thing that brings you to a point, but as a collective you need good people."
On Arsenal's fast second half start: "I always expected a reaction. If I was critical, I wanted us to show a bit more, but it is not easy.
"I do give licence to the players to express themselves and to react of each other's movement. I want us to be unpredictable for the opposition.
"There is a real unpredictability in the way we play.
"I look at other groups at time - I wouldn't want to manage other groups. What has been built here for years and years is the culture, togetherness. I am big on that."
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's Declan Rice, speaking to BBC Sport: "The game was split into different halves. It was their first 20 minutes, we ended the first half strong, we started the second half amazingly well and they ended the half better than us. We suffocated a lot after the goal."
"In this journey you are never going to be at the level for 70 games of the season but you have to be at the best you can. The small details, the basics, like I say this is a rollercoaster of a season. You can't be naïve to think this is going to be easy. We are playing against the best teams week in, week out. We have to keep pushing and believing in ourselves, controlling the controllable.
"We have to block out the outside noise. We have done that really well. People are going to talk up the title race and Arsenal but we have a really calm group. I'm not naïve to think Brentford are a pushover. They are one of the best teams in the league and their recent form shows that. It's a point gained in our journey but we wanted to win the game."
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
I am getting it in the ear from the fans here. That local rivalry from fans is intense.
I couldn't see Arsenal surviving that last half an hour from a set-piece.
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal’s 0.6xG total was their third-lowest in a Premier League game this season, behind their games with Liverpool in August (0.49) and January (0.57).
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Brentford goalscorer Keane Lewis-Potter, speaking to BBC: "We are happy but at the same time feel like we could have won the game. It's definitely a good point."
On his earlier missed chance: "I should have done better there. I got a second chance and I wasn't going to miss that one."
On the set piece goal: "No secret really. We train hard on them. At times this season it hasn't paid off. Today it did. Arsenal are a very good team on set pieces and we try to pride ourselves on it as well.
"Confidence is sky-high right now and we could have easily won it. We carry on going to the end and on another day we could win it."
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports
I wouldn't get overly concerned.
It is hard to break a team down in that low block. Yes, Arsenal could have moved it quicker, but in the end it came down to a cross and a header from Noni Madueke.
It is a difficult place to come to.
Image source, Getty ImagesClick on 'Get involved' at the top of this page
Keith Andrews should get manager of the year, as he's working miracles with a very modest budget. Unfortunately, it'll probably go to the title winning manager, as these decisions seem to be made based solely on the achievement, rather than the circumstances behind the victory. Claudio Ranieri and Leicester excepted!
Jon, Dorset
FT: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports
A throwback game and the referee was almost saying 'anything goes'.
'City are coming to get you.' End of the day Arsenal are four points clear.
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal 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
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 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 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.
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).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 50 | 18 | 32 | 57 |
| |
| 26 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 54 | 24 | 30 | 53 |
| |
| 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 50 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 47 | 37 | 10 | 45 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 47 | 30 | 17 | 44 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 42 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 40 | 35 | 5 | 40 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 37 |
| |
| 26 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 45 | -2 | 37 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 36 |
| |
| 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 27 | 30 | -3 | 36 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 35 | 40 | -5 | 34 |
| |
| 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 28 | 32 | -4 | 32 |
| |
| 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 31 |
| |
| 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 36 | 45 | -9 | 30 |
| |
| 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 36 | 37 | -1 | 29 |
| |
| 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 25 | 38 | -13 | 27 |
| |
| 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 32 | 49 | -17 | 24 |
| |
| 26 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 28 | 51 | -23 | 18 |
| |
| 26 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 16 | 48 | -32 | 9 |
|
Manager:Keith Andrews
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Arsenal |
2' | Arsenal |
3' | Arsenal |
4' | Brentford |
5' | Arsenal |
6' | Arsenal |
7' | Arsenal |
8' | Arsenal |
9' | Arsenal |
10' | Arsenal |
11' | Arsenal |
12' | Arsenal |
13' | Arsenal |
14' | Arsenal |
15' | Arsenal |
16' | Arsenal |
17' | Arsenal |
18' | Arsenal |
19' | Arsenal |
20' | Arsenal |
21' | Brentford |
22' | Brentford |
23' | Brentford |
24' | Brentford |
25' | Brentford |
26' | Brentford |
27' | Brentford |
28' | Brentford |
29' | Brentford |
30' | Brentford |
31' | Brentford |
32' | Arsenal |
33' | Arsenal |
34' | Arsenal |
35' | Brentford |
36' | Arsenal |
37' | Arsenal |
38' | Arsenal |
39' | Arsenal |
40' | Arsenal |
41' | Arsenal |
42' | Arsenal |
43' | Arsenal |
44' | Arsenal |
45' | Arsenal |
45'+1 | Arsenal |
Half time 45'+2 | Arsenal |
46' | Arsenal |
47' | Arsenal |
48' | Arsenal |
49' | Arsenal |
50' | Arsenal |
51' | Arsenal |
52' | Arsenal |
53' | Brentford |
54' | Brentford |
55' | Arsenal |
56' | Arsenal |
57' | Arsenal |
58' | Arsenal |
59' | Arsenal |
60' | Arsenal |
61' | ArsenalGoal |
62' | Arsenal |
63' | Arsenal |
64' | Brentford |
65' | Brentford |
66' | Brentford |
67' | Arsenal |
68' | Arsenal |
69' | Arsenal |
70' | Brentford |
71' | BrentfordGoal |
72' | Brentford |
73' | Brentford |
74' | Brentford |
75' | Brentford |
76' | Brentford |
77' | Arsenal |
78' | Arsenal |
79' | Brentford |
80' | Brentford |
81' | Brentford |
82' | Brentford |
83' | Brentford |
84' | Brentford |
85' | Brentford |
86' | Brentford |
87' | Arsenal |
88' | Arsenal |
89' | Brentford |
90' | Brentford |
90'+1 | Brentford |
90'+2 | Brentford |
90'+3 | Arsenal |
90'+4 | Arsenal |
90'+5 | Arsenal |
90'+6 | Brentford |
Full time 90'+7 | Brentford |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Brentford’s first ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal, in their first game in the competition in August 2021. Since then, they’re winless in their last eight against the Gunners (D2 L6).
Arsenal lost their first Premier League away game 2-0 against Brentford but have since won their last three by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Brentford have won just one of their last 11 home London derbies in the Premier League (D6 L4) and are winless in seven since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League London derbies (W17 D5), while since the start of 2022-23 they’ve lost just one of their 20 away games against fellow London sides (W14 D5).
This is just Brentford’s fourth Premier League game played on a Thursday – they lost 2-0 at Spurs in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in May 2025 and drew 0-0 with Spurs last month.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (W9 D3). However, they’re without a win or a goal (D1 L2) in any of their last three specifically on Thursdays.
Brentford lost 2-0 against Nottingham Forest in their last home league game, ending a seven game unbeaten run at the Gtech Stadium. Since the start of last season, they’ve only lost consecutive home league games twice, the first time of which was a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest followed by a loss to Arsenal.
Brentford’s Igor Thiago has scored nine goals in his last 10 Premier League home games, netting four braces in that run. Only Erling Haaland (5) has scored multiple goals in more different home matches this term.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 67 Premier League London derbies as manager, the best win rate (61%) of anyone to take charge of at least 20. Overall, only Arsène Wenger (106 from 194 games) and José Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard.
Bukayo Saka has been involved in 35 goals in 63 Premier League London derbies (17 goals, 18 assists), the third most of any Arsenal player after Thierry Henry (55) and Dennis Bergkamp (38).
