Arsenal put an end to a memorable week with a disappointing result, because their hopes of the title of Premier League already thin were carried another blow in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.
The Gunners headed for the shock on Saturday on a summit after beating Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Despite five changes compared to the XI who started against Madrid, Arsenal seemed to prepare the gap for the leaders of Liverpool at eight points when Thomas Parte gave them a 61st minute lead.
However, Yoane Wissa leveled questions for Brentford, whose European football hopes next season are still alive with six games to play after a creditable point at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal 10 points behind Liverpool after playing one more game, this gap, which means that the Reds need three additional victories to secure the title.
Arsenal against Brentford
Having failed to significantly threaten Brentford’s goal in the first stadiums of the first half, the Gunners thought that they had broken the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Kieran Tierney, making his first league debut since May 2023, returned home from the right cross of Ethan Nwaneri, however, a Var check revealed that the rear was clearly offside.
Kristoffer Ajer produced heroic to block an effort by Gabriel Martinelli who seemed to be intended for the net, but Brentford’s rearguard came off just after the time gracity of a fast arsenal counter.
The rapid distribution of David Raya Declan Rice on his way and, after having made his way to Brentford’s box, the hero of victory in the middle of the Arsenal week against Madrid threw the ball for Party to open the scoring with a confident finish.
But Arsenal was torn off 13 minutes later when Nathan Collins amortized Michael Kayode’s crossing in Wissa’s path to hang at close range after Arsenal failed to release a corner.
Having already made five substitutions, Arsenal was reduced to 10 late men when Jorginho was forced following a collision with Bryan Mbuemo.
There was little chances of clear cut for the two games to win the match, replacing it Bukayo Saka to make the best when the Arsenal striker looked wide from the left post in time.
This meant that Arsenal had to be satisfied with a 12th draw of the season, this total a key reason why Mikel Arteta’s men will almost end the campaign as the Premier League finalists for the third successive season. Only a triumph of the Champions League will eliminate the bitter taste of a national finish.
