Spectacular Brentford hold Arsenal to a draw

• Table-topping Arsenal was held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon by Brentford
• The draw prevents them from resuming their winning ways in the Premier League
• The results come after the Gunners were defeated  by Everton last Weekend to add more pressure

Table-topping Arsenal was held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon by Brentford, preventing them from resuming their winning ways in the Premier League.

The Gunners were defeated 1-0 by Everton last weekend but could not secure three points in North London, with Brentford coming from behind to share the spoils.

Arsenal took the lead in the 66th minute thanks to Leandro Trossard’s first goal for the club, but Ivan Toney levelled the scores in the 74th minute, and the hosts couldn’t find a second.

Mikel Arteta’s side now sits six points clear of second-placed Manchester City after the same number of games (21), while Brentford is eighth with 34 points.

How the game unfolded

Leandro Trossard came as a substitute to give Arsenal the lead.|PHOTO: Sky Sports|

In the fifth minute, Brentford had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Toney found Rico Henry inside the Arsenal box, but the defender somehow missed the target.

After combining with Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka had a half-chance in the 15th minute, but the England international couldn’t poke his effort past the onrushing David Raya.

On the other hand, Brentford was causing havoc, and Toney hit the crossbar in the 25th minute after an impressive combination with Bryan Mbuemo inside the Arsenal penalty box.

Toney tried his luck again in the 39th minute, bringing a smart save from Aaron Ramsdale as the visitors threatened to break the deadlock late in the first period.

Arsenal had a chance in the 43rd minute when Granit Xhaka set up Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the box, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

In the 51st minute, Brentford goalkeeper Raya made a smart save to keep Odegaard’s strike out before Toney missed the post with a low effort down the other end of the field.

The goals

Arsenal finally broke through in the 66th minute, with Trossard scoring his first goal for the club, tapping a brilliant Saka cross into the bottom corner at the far post.

Brentford trailed for only eight minutes before Toney equalized in the 74th minute, heading home from close range after Arsenal failed to clear their lines.

There was a VAR check for a possible foul, but the goal was allowed to stand, with Brentford scoring the goal they deserved after falling behind.

Ivan Toney celebrates after scoring.|PHOTO: CBS|

Arsenal had most of the ball in the closing stages, with the league leaders looking for a second, but Arteta’s team was forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

What’s next for both clubs

Arsenal host Manchester City in an eagerly anticipated Premier League clash on Wednesday, February 15, before travelling to Villa Park on Saturday, February 19.

On Saturday, February 19, Brentford will play Crystal Palace.