Brentford (0) 1 v Arsenal (0) 1
By Kaz Mochlinski at the Brentford Community Stadium
Mikel Arteta admitted that “you have to pray” when you play against Brentford, and he revealed that he informed his players of the need to defend with their lives before securing a 1-1 away draw which keeps Arsenal clear at the top of the Premier League.
Two throw-ins produced the two second half goals from two fine headers, with Arsenal scoring on the hour indirectly after a short throw, and Brentford equalising 10 minutes later directly from a long throw. So it was the Bees relying on a set-piece this time.
Having not scored in his previous 25 Premier League matches, Noni Madueke has now got two goals in two consecutive away games, both vital in ensuring four points from the encounters - exactly the advantage Arsenal have in the table over Manchester City.
At Brentford, Madueke would have been celebrating his first league goal for the Gunners if the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Panel had not in hindsight correctly awarded him one against Leeds United, initially given as a Karl Darlow own-goal.
But, whereas Arsenal held on to their lead at Leeds and extended it, on a Thursday night in West London they were unable to repeat either accomplishment as Brentford showed the qualities that have taken them into the upper reaches of the top flight.
“They are an unbelievable team and we’ve gone toe-to-toe with them” said the Bees’ delighted head coach, Keith Andrews, afterwards, rightly emphasising the positives, despite the frustration of still having only one win in four home matches in 2026.
“To keep a team of that calibre, which I hold in the highest regard - how they play, the individuals thay have, they can conjure something up from nothing - was really pleasing.”
Just as when Chelsea visited earlier in the season, Brentford recovered after being behind to gain a point with a long throw from the left wing, finished at the far post. In September the scorer was Fábio Carvalho, this time it was Keane Lewis-Potter.
“We lacked certain composure to dominate the game better” acknowledged the Arsenal manager. “We scored the goal and the game was under total control. But, against them, that’s not enough.
“Because they just need somebody making a foul that is unnecessary, a ball in the channel, they punish you. The clearance is not good, the ball goes for a throw-in. Then you have to pray, because they are exceptional at what they do.
“The chaos that is in and around that ball is very, very difficult to defend. And we said ‘You want to win here, you’re going to have to defend the box with your life. And you’re going to have to clear the ball because there’s a lot of people in there’.
“And, if you don’t do that, it’s very difficult for you to win the game. We haven’t done it in one of the actions. Credit to them as well for that.”
Arteta also added ruefully: “If you want to win here, you’re going to have to be really ruthless in both boxes, and today we lacked that.”