Arsenal missed the opportunity to restore their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford on Thursday.
Noni Madueke gave the visitors the lead with a second-half header, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalise with a powerful reply from a long throw.
The result was a fair reflection of the contest and left Arsenal on 57 points from 26 games, four ahead of Manchester City.
Brentford climbed to seventh place with 40 points, four behind fifth-placed Chelsea, and remain well placed to secure European football for the first time.
Hosts dominate early exchanges
Brentford looked the sharper side in the opening half and created the better chances, though they could not capitalise on Arsenal’s shaky start.
Goalkeeper David Raya was forced into a smart save to deny Igor Thiago after the Gunners gave away possession too easily.
Arsenal appeared nervous in defence without William Saliba, with Gabriel conceding a needless corner and Raya nearly letting a backpass slip under his foot and over the line.
Madueke breaks the deadlock
Mikel Arteta handed Eberechi Eze a first league start of 2026, but the England forward struggled to make an impact and was replaced at half-time by captain Martin Odegaard.
The visitors improved after the break and took the lead in the 61st minute when Brentford failed to clear their lines.
Piero Hincapie’s cross was turned back across goal by Madueke, who outjumped Rico Henry to nod past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Arsenal might have doubled the advantage soon after, but Declan Rice’s perfect pass to Viktor Gyokeres was thwarted by Michael Kayode’s last-ditch tackle.
Lewis-Potter levels with powerful header
Brentford deservedly drew level ten minutes later when Kayode’s long throw was flicked on to the back post.
Lewis-Potter rose highest and sent a thunderous header crashing into the top corner to shift the momentum.
The closing stages were frantic, with Thiago nearly snatching victory for the hosts only for Cristhian Mosquera to produce a superb last-ditch tackle.
Kelleher then denied Gabriel Martinelli one-on-one to preserve the draw.
Arteta stays focused on the task
Having briefly led by nine points before Manchester City’s comeback win over Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal now hold a four-point cushion.
Arteta told TNT Sports that his team’s approach would remain unchanged despite the dropped points.
“We have to do our job and we are going to have to come to all these places, the same as the rest of the teams, and we know how tough it is,” he said.
“You have to be at your best every game and have the luck that you need as well in games to conquer the three points each week.”
Brentford coach Keith Andrew, asked about European qualification, replied: “I’m not going to speak about that. There are 12 games left, but I do promise you we are going to attack every single one of them … to see how much we can achieve this year.”
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