Arsenal Held by Brentford as Title Race Tightens

Arsenal saw their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to four points after a 1-1 draw away to Brentford.

With Manchester City having secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham a day earlier, the pressure was on Mikel Arteta’s side to restore their six-point cushion. However, the Gunners delivered a below-par performance and had to settle for a point.

Arsenal took the lead on the hour mark when Noni Madueke rose to head home a superb cross, giving the visitors the breakthrough after a largely uneventful opening period.

Earlier, Arsenal had been fortunate not to fall behind. A misplaced throw from goalkeeper David Raya allowed Brentford captain Mathias Jensen to deliver a pinpoint cross to Igor Thiago, whose goalbound header was brilliantly saved one-handed by Raya to atone for his error.

Brentford responded strongly after conceding and were level just 10 minutes later. A long throw from Michael Kayode caused chaos in the Arsenal box, with Sepp van den Berg flicking the ball on for Keane Lewis-Potter to head home decisively.

The hosts looked the more likely to snatch a winner late on. Thiago squandered a golden opportunity in stoppage time, firing over with only Raya to beat. At the other end, substitute Gabriel Martinelli nearly stole all three points for Arsenal, but Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher produced a crucial save in a frantic finale.

Arsenal, missing the calming presence of William Saliba through illness, struggled to impose themselves for long spells. Despite showing greater urgency after the break, they could not fully control proceedings.

The result keeps Arsenal top of the table but tightens the title race significantly, with Manchester City now just four points behind as the pressure mounts in the final stretch of the season.