Yoane Wissa struck late to earn Brentford a valuable point at the Emirates, as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took another hit in a lacklustre 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Just days after their exhilarating 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta rang the changes, making five alterations to the starting XI, and it showed, with the Gunners struggling to find rhythm or urgency throughout a flat encounter.
The first half was short on excitement, with the game’s first real opportunity coming in the 20th minute when Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer was denied by David Raya.
Arsenal thought they’d gone ahead shortly after through Kieran Tierney, but his header was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Leandro Trossard tested Brentford keeper Mark Flekken with a low drive just before the break, but it wasn’t until the 61st minute that Arsenal finally broke the deadlock.
Declan Rice surged forward from deep, carving open the Brentford midfield before teeing up Thomas Partey, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
However, the lead didn’t last. In the 74th minute, Nathan Collins nodded the ball back across the box for Wissa, who showed sharp instincts to hook home the equaliser on the turn from close range.
The result leaves Arsenal 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who could stretch their advantage even further when they face West Ham on Sunday.
For the Gunners, attention now shifts to Wednesday’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg in Madrid.
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