The Premier League title slipped further away from Arsenal as the Gunners were pegged back in a 1-1 London derby draw with Brentford at the Emirates.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta unsurprisingly rang the changes in between two crunch Champions League clashes with Real Madrid, and an unfamiliar XI lacked a clinical touch in the opening 45 minutes.
Kieran Tierney - making his first Premier League start of the season - did find the back of the net with a smart header midway through the first half, but semi-automated offside technology came into effect to deny him.
Just when Arsenal were about to send on Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in search of a spark, said spark arrived from an unlikely source in an unlikely way, as makeshift right-back Thomas Partey broke the deadlock after a rapid counter-attack just past the hour mark.
However, some shoddy Arsenal defending allowed Yoane Wissa to equalise not long after, and to make matters worse, Arteta's men had to see out the final moments with 10 men after Jorginho went off injured.
While Arsenal have marginally cut the gap to Liverpool at the top of the table to 10 points, the Reds now need just three more wins to be crowned champions, while Thomas Frank's men reside in 11th, two points off the top half having played a game more than 10th-placed Bournemouth.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Iconsport
The improbable just became even more improbable for Arsenal, who may still be in with a mathematical chance of Premier League glory, but not even the most ardent Gooner should be banking on a miracle comeback now.
In truth, neither Arteta nor his players should be losing sleep over Saturday's result, so long as the knocks to Partey and Jorginho do not prove serious, as getting through the game with no more serious injuries was the main goal.
That is not to say that the Gunners only put in 70% effort, but it was the same old story for Arsenal for the most part; intricate and sometimes over-complicated play in and around the box without a killer touch.
Arteta's side at least showed that they can be devastating on the counter - not very often have we been able to say that - but Brentford did not lose faith and were ultimately good value for a share of the spoils.
Frank's side have their eyes on the top half, while Arsenal have their eyes on the bright lights of the Bernabeu, and Gooners could be forgiven for forgetting this game in a hurry.
ARSENAL VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
Kieran Tierney disallowed goal vs. Brentford (26th min, Arsenal 0-0 Brentford)
Kieran Tierney finds the back of the net for Arsenal but it's ruled out for offside ❌ pic.twitter.com/828UoDCHUp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2025
Fan favourite Tierney is mobbed by his teammates as he flicks a header into the back of the net from Ethan Nwaneri's inswinging cross, but he is clearly offside, and the tie remains goalless after a quick semi-automated intervention.
Thomas Partey goal vs. Brentford (61st min, Arsenal 1-0 Brentford)
The vision from David Raya, the run from Declan Rice, to the finish from Thomas Partey! 😍 pic.twitter.com/ytE9eEna9g
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2025
A collector's item; Arsenal score on the counter-attack!
Corner collector extraordinaire David Raya confidently claims a Bees delivery and immediately rolls the ball out to Declan Rice, whose first touch is excellent and sets Arsenal away on a 3v1.
Partey is making a lung-busting run to the right of Rice, who times his pass to the Ghanaian to perfection, and Partey does the rest with a crisp first-time finish into the roof of the net.
Yoane Wissa goal vs. Arsenal (74th min, Arsenal 1-1 Brentford)
🎙️ "It's Wissa at the Emirates again for Brentford!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2025
The Bees are LEVEL 🐝 pic.twitter.com/JnLOaQ1c92
If Arsenal defend like this at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid might just complete their remontada.
Brentford keep the ball alive after a corner as Michael Kayode clips the ball to the back post, where Nathan Collins nods the delivery down into the corridor of uncertainty, and Wissa magnificently hooks a volley into the net with his back to goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - THOMAS PARTEY
© Imago
Quite often this season has Partey lining up at right-back been met with disdain by Gooners - and understandably so given the data - but the former Atletico Madrid man was easily the standout performer on the Emirates pitch today.
Partey's side-footed finish was textbook, and the Ghana international also misplaced just one pass all afternoon long, ideal preparation for his move back to a central role against Real Madrid.
ARSENAL VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 64%-36% Brentford
Shots: Arsenal 14-3 Brentford
Shots on target: Arsenal 3-2 Brentford
Corners: Arsenal 13-5 Brentford
Fouls: Arsenal 7-9 Brentford
BEST STATS
Declan Rice has now been directly involved in eight goals in his last 10 games for club and country.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 12, 2025
4 goals, 4 assists. 🍚#ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/FQEAt2mqWn
Yoane Wissa 5️⃣0️⃣ @premierleague goal involvements 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/TzoVO3rldo
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 12, 2025
15 + 15 - Brentford are the only team in the Premier League to have had two different players score 15+ goals in the competition this season - Bryan Mbeumo (16) and Yoane Wissa (15). Duo. pic.twitter.com/AUrkLFuS4L
— OptaPlay (@OptaPlay) April 12, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal will consign Saturday's game to the back of their mind as quickly as possible, as all roads now lead to the Bernabeu for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, whom they boast an astounding 3-0 lead against.
The Gunners then head to Ipswich Town for their latest Premier League battle on Easter Sunday, one day after Brentford host Brighton & Hove Albion in the top flight.
Ben Knapton
