Arsenal 1-1 Brentford: Match report, player ratings, expert analysis, fan reaction and more

Premier League leaders Arsenal has run into what many are hoping is nothing more than a hiccup in recent weeks after the Gunners failed to set the record straight after last weekend’s loss at Everton during an entertaining and hard-fought 1-1 draw against visiting Brentford in north London.

The first forty-five minutes at the Emirates left many of the home support frustrated on an afternoon when the Premier League leaders were in desperate need of a response after the frustrating away defeat at Goodison Park against Everton last weekend.

Though the Gunners crafted more chances before both sides headed into the changing rooms at the half-time interval, Brentford produced a higher xG and certainly will feel as though they could have been one or two nil to the good going into the break, especially after frontman Ivan Toney rattled the bar from close range when his form in front of goal otherwise dictated he surely would have found the back of the net.

But Arsenal came out flying in the second half with a flurry of chances but could not find the added push to get achieve the opener until another inspired substitute performance from January signing Leandro Trossard after the Belgian international forward broke the deadlock in the 66th minute to tap home from close range at the far post after a sizzling ball across the face of goal from Bukayo Saka found the former Brighton star unmarked.

It was an advantage that would not last long, however, after the aforementioned Toney headed home from inside the six-yard box after Arsenal failed to properly deal with Mathias Jensen’s free-kick into the area before Christian Nørgaard’s looping cross to the back post found the England striker free and clear to level matters after Aaron Ramsdale was left flapping in the breeze.

And that is where the scoreline would remain come full-time as Arsenal now faces the prospect of welcoming Manchester City to the capital on Wednesday and the knowledge that, should City win tomorrow and in midweek, Pep Guardiola’s men will have wrestled away control of the table from Arteta’s troops, who would still have a match in hand.

Brentford deserves the utmost credit for another excellent performance under Frank as the Bee’s undefeated run in the Premier League extends to ten, with some of the traveling supporters likely heading home wondering if the club dropped points rather than being happy to pick one up on their travels.

Arsenal Player Ratings

• GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 6
• RB: Ben White – 6.5
• CB: William Saliba – 6
• CB: Gabriel Magalhães – 6.5
• LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
• CM: Thomas Partey – 7
• CM: Granit Xhaka – 6.5
• CAM: Martin Ødegaard – 6.5
• RW: Bukayo Saka – 6.5
• LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6
• CF: Eddie Nketiah – 6
• Sub: Leandro Trossard – 7.5
• Sub: Fábio Vieira – 6

Brentford Player Ratings

• GK: David Raya – 7
• RCB: Kristoffer Ajer – 6.5
• CB: Ethan Pinnock – 7
• LCB: Ben Mee – 7
• RWB: Mads Roerslev – 7
• DM: Christian Nørgaard – 7.5
• LWB: Rico Henry – 6
• CM: Vitaly Janelt – 6.5
• CM: Mathias Jensen – 7
• RF: Bryan Mbeumo – 6.5
• LF: Ivan Toney – 8
• Sub: Yoane Wissa – 6
• Sub: Josh Dasilva – 6
• Sub: Kevin Schade – N/A

Key Performers

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