Held to a draw by Brentford, Arsenal are not reassured before Real Madrid

Arsenal’s momentum was abruptly halted this Saturday afternoon as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Brentford in the Premier League. Just days after their emphatic 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, the Gunners were expected to deliver another commanding performance. Instead, they were left frustrated by a resilient Brentford side.

The match at the Emirates Stadium began with intensity, as Arsenal sought to take early control and assert their dominance. Mikel Arteta’s men started brightly, controlling possession and pushing forward with intent. Brentford, however, remained disciplined and compact, frustrating Arsenal’s attacking rhythm.

Despite creating multiple chances in the opening half, the Gunners couldn’t break the deadlock. Kai Havertz came closest with a clever header that grazed the post, while Bukayo Saka saw his curling effort pushed away by the excellent Mark Flekken in goal.

As the second half resumed, Arsenal turned up the pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Thomas Partey found the breakthrough. The Ghanaian midfielder, returning to the starting lineup after recent fitness concerns, fired in a low strike from outside the box that deflected past Flekken to make it 1-0.

The Emirates erupted in celebration, and it seemed Arsenal were en route to another three points. However, as has been the case in several games this season, defensive lapses cost them dearly once again.

Brentford refused to fold and made their response count. In the 74th minute, Yoane Wissa produced a moment of brilliance. The Congolese striker, who had been relatively quiet, received a lofted ball in the box, swiveled superbly under pressure, and lashed home a stunning equalizer that left David Raya no chance.

The Gunners pushed forward again in search of a winner, but frustration grew with every wasted opportunity. Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard both saw late efforts blocked, and Arteta’s men simply couldn’t find the killer instinct needed to restore their lead.

With this result, Arsenal remain second in the Premier League table, but their title hopes continue to fade. They now sit 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand against West Ham on Sunday. A win for the Reds would stretch their advantage to 13 points, effectively putting the title out of Arsenal’s reach.

Arteta acknowledged the disappointing result in his post-match comments. “We were not clinical enough,” he said. “We controlled the game but lacked the composure to finish it off. That’s something we must address before facing Real Madrid again.”

Arsenal’s attention now turns back to the Champions League, where they will face Real Madrid again in the return leg of the quarterfinals. Despite their dominant display in the first leg, this draw has raised questions about the Gunners’ consistency and mental strength in crucial domestic fixtures.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s point lifts them further away from the relegation zone. Thomas Frank praised his team’s character, highlighting their ability to respond under pressure. “We knew Arsenal would come at us hard, but we remained focused and took our chance when it mattered,” he said.

This result also casts a shadow over Arsenal’s squad rotation. With key players like Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard starting on the bench, some fans questioned Arteta’s lineup choices, especially given the importance of every Premier League point at this stage of the season.

Despite the setback, Arsenal still have a six-point cushion over third-placed Nottingham Forest, who suffered a surprise 0-1 loss to Everton. That margin gives Arteta’s side some breathing room in the race for automatic Champions League qualification.

But with fixtures piling up and the pressure of Europe intensifying, the Gunners must find a way to balance both fronts. Dropping points in games like this could prove costly in the long run, not just for the title but for squad morale and momentum.

If Arsenal are to cement themselves as a top European force, consistency in the Premier League will need to match their recent European brilliance. One step forward in midweek, one step back this weekend — a pattern Arteta will be desperate to break.

As the season nears its climax, every game now feels like a final. And while Arsenal’s Champions League aspirations remain alive, this draw is a stark reminder that the Premier League is unforgiving — and finishing strong domestically is just as vital.