Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the Premier League was cut to four points after they were held to a 1–1 draw away at Brentford.
Arsenal took the lead just after the hour mark when Noni Madueke powered in a fine header from a precise delivery by Piero Hincapié.
However, the hosts responded 10 minutes later. A long throw from Michael Kayode caused problems in the box, and Keane Lewis-Potter reacted quickest to steer home the equaliser.
Brentford looked the more threatening side after drawing level and nearly snatched all three points in stoppage time, but Igor Thiago squandered a clear chance.
At the other end, substitute Gabriel Martinelli almost won it for Arsenal, only to be denied by Caoimhín Kelleher in a dramatic finale.
The draw came a day after Manchester City’s 3–0 victory over Fulham, increasing the pressure on Arsenal to restore their six-point cushion.
Without the ill William Saliba, Arsenal looked shaky early on and were fortunate not to fall behind. Goalkeeper David Raya made a costly error with a poor throw, allowing Mathias Jensen to deliver a cross to Thiago, whose header was brilliantly saved by the Spaniard.
Arsenal struggled to create clear chances before the break. Eberechi Eze, making his first league start in two months, was replaced at half-time by captain Martin Ødegaard.
The visitors improved after the interval, and Madueke’s header appeared to put them on course for victory.
But Brentford kept pushing and were rewarded when a flick-on from Sepp van den Berg allowed Lewis-Potter to head home the leveller with 19 minutes remaining.
Both sides had late opportunities, with Thiago blazing over for Brentford before Kelleher produced a crucial save to stop Martinelli at the death, ensuring the points were shared.
The result leaves Arsenal four points clear at the summit, with the title race tightening as the season enters its decisive stretch.
