Arsenal drew with Brentford 1-1 in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. Leandro Trossard scored Arsenal’s goal in the 66th minute, while Ivan Toney Brentford’s equalizer in the 74th minute.
The Gunners have now dropped five points in their last two matches. However, they still lead the league table with 51 points from 21 matches. That sees them six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who plays on Sunday at home to Aston Villa. On that note, we will now take a look at two things that stood out in the match.
#1. Arsenal dominated possession, but Brentford had the better chances in the first half
Arsenal started the match with their customary 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding their strongest playing eleven. A fit Thomas Partey starting in the midfield to bring in extra strength. The Gunners dominated the proceedings from the get-go, having more than 75% ball-possession during the initial 20 minutes of the match.
The home side attacked primarily down the right, with Ben White and Bukayo Saka combining well. However, Brentford always defended in numbers and had all their players barring centre-forward Ivan Toney behind the ball.
However, that did not mean that the visitors never ventured forward to attack. They caused a few quick turnovers in the final third. On one occasion, Toney hit the woodwork after receiving the ball inside the Arsenal box from a cross. Minutes later, Ben Mee’s goal-bound header from a corner was abruptly blocked by Granit Xhaka.
Brentford kept delivering aerial balls into the Arsenal box and the Gunners did not always look comfortable while dealing with them. William Saliba was particularly bothered by the speed and strength of Toney. Aaron Ramsdale also had to save a shot on one occasion.
However, the home side again dominated the last 10 minutehes of the half. White went into yet another overlapping run during the dying minutes of the half. played a cross that was met by Xhaka with his head. The Swiss midfielder’s header traveled to Gabriel Martinelli, who volleyed first time. Unfortunately for him, the ball sailed over the bar. Martinelli often shifted to the central areas while Martin Odegaard kept creating moves by dropping down. Nevertheless, Arsenal never really threatened the Brentford defense.
#2. Both teams scored in the second half, as Arsenal again lacked penetration into the box
Arsenal started the second half in a bright manner, with both Saka and Odegaard taking shots at the goal from inside the penalty box. Brentford keeper David Raya managed to save both efforts. Arsenal tried to breach Brentford’s defense through quicker build-ups in the second half, as Mikel Arteta replaced Martinelli with Leandro Trossard.
The effect was almost immediate as Odegaard played a pass to an onrushing Saka through the right and the latter managed to shrug off his marker before sending in a cross. Trossard was lurking at the second post and made no mistake in slotting the ball home to put the Gunners ahead. Aside from scoring the goal, the Belgian international impressed with his quick and adroit passing and should be pressing for a place in the starting line-up with that performance.
However, Arsenal’s joy was short-lived, as Brentford equalized from a free-kick. There were a series of headers inside the box, as the Gunners’ frailties while dealing with aerial balls was evident again. The ball finally reached Christian Norgaard, who played it to Toney before the latter headed home.
The goal shook the home side up and they launched repeated attacks on the Brentford goal. However, the visitors’ defense held firm and the Gunners only succeeded in taking some ill-directed shots at the goal from outside the penalty box. The match thus veered towards a draw to keep the race for the league title open.