Arsenal, once again, without courage - and without three points

In a match where we practically only watched the second half, Arsenal dropped two more points in the title race after playing out a 1–1 draw away at Brentford.

The first half between Brentford and Arsenal was a tight and cagey affair, with both sides prioritising defensive solidity and leaving very little space in the final third. Clear-cut chances were scarce, and the game was largely played in midfield battles and physical duels.

Arsenal had a moment of danger in the 10th minute when Gabriel rose at the far post from a corner, but Van den Berg was well-positioned to deny the Brazilian a clean header. Brentford then came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute, when Igor Thiago met a cross from the left just a few metres from goal, only for David Raya to produce an excellent reflex save to keep the score level.

Overall, it was a tough, tactical half with very few opportunities at either end, as both teams struggled to create meaningful openings.

Arsenal’s first real attempt after the break came in the 58th minute, when Martin Odegaard fired a first-time shot following a well-worked move, but his effort flew well over the Brentford goal. Just three minutes later, the deadlock was broken. After a cross from the left by Hincapie, the ball fell kindly to Noni Madueke, who reacted quickest in the box and headed past Kelleher to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

Brentford responded immediately and took control of the tempo. In the 64th minute, Lewis-Potter met a corner with a header that narrowly missed David Raya’s left post, before Igor Thiago went close again three minutes later, driving forward on the counter and forcing Raya into another solid save.

The hosts eventually found their equaliser in the 71st minute. A long throw-in from Kayode was flicked on by Van den Berg, and Lewis-Potter rose at the far post to head the ball past Raya, bringing Brentford level at 1–1.

The match remained open until the final whistle. In stoppage time, Igor Thiago had a huge chance to win it for Brentford, but his powerful strike from the right side flew just wide of the target. Moments later, Arsenal nearly snatched the victory on the counter, with Gabriel Martinelli going one-on-one with Kelleher, only for the Brentford goalkeeper to make a crucial save and preserve the draw.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 26

Tuesday

Chelsea - Leeds 2-2 (1-0)

/Pedro 24, Palmer 58 (p) - Nmecha 67(p), Okafor 73/

Everton - Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)

/Ndiaye 42(p) - Rayan 61, Adli 64/

Tottenham - Newcastle 1-2 (0-1)

/Gray 64 - Thiaw 45+5, Ramsey 68/

West Ham - Manchester United 1-1 (0-0)

/Soucek 50 - Sesko 90+6/

Wednesday

Aston Villa - Brighton 1-0 (0-0)

/Hinshelwood 86 og/

Crystal Palace - Burnley 2-3 (2-3)

/Larsen 17, 33 - Mejbri 40, Anthony 44, Lerma 45+2 og/

Manchester City - Fulham 3-0 (3-0)

/Semenyo 24, O'Reilly 30, Haaland 39/

Nottingham Forest - Wolverhampton 0-0

Sunderland - Liverpool 0-1 (0-0)

/Van Dijk 61/

Thursday

Brentford - Arsenal 1-1 (0-0)

/Lewis-Potter 71 - Madueke 61/