Mikel Arteta has openly acknowledged that Arsenal were unable to withstand the intense pressure from Brentford's set-piece tactics, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw that saw their advantage at the top of the Premier League table reduced. The Gunners missed a crucial opportunity to re-establish a six-point lead over Manchester City, with the match highlighting defensive vulnerabilities in dealing with long throws and aerial duels.
Chaos in the Box Proves Costly for Arsenal
In a tightly contested encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium, Arsenal took the lead in the second half through a well-placed header from Noni Madueke. However, their joy was short-lived as Keane Lewis-Potter equalised just ten minutes later, capitalising on a long throw-in delivered by Michael Kayode. This goal epitomised Brentford's effective strategy of creating chaos in the penalty area, a tactic that Arteta admitted his team struggled to counter.
"If you want to win here, you're going to have to be really ruthless in both boxes and today we lacked that," said Arteta in his post-match analysis. "They are exceptional at what they do. The chaos that is in and around that ball is very, very difficult to defend." The Arsenal manager's comments underscored the physical challenge posed by Brentford, who consistently disrupted Arsenal's rhythm with aggressive set-pieces.
Injury and Illness Exacerbate Arsenal's Woes
Arsenal's difficulties were compounded by the absence of key players William Saliba and Kai Havertz, who were ruled out due to illness and injury respectively. Their lack of presence was keenly felt, particularly in defensive situations where Saliba's aerial prowess might have helped neutralise Brentford's threats. With only twelve games remaining in the season, Arsenal now hold a four-point lead over Manchester City, adding pressure to their title aspirations.
When questioned about the narrowing gap to City, Arteta remained focused on internal improvements. "We are going to be preparing to win every single match and the only thing that we can do is focus on that and raise the levels collectively," he stated. "That's going to carry on like this until May, regardless if we play before [City] or after them. It's just the things that we have to do."
Brentford's Gritty Performance Earns Praise
On the other side, Brentford manager Keith Andrews expressed immense pride in his team's resilient display. He believed that Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães should have received a second yellow card for a foul on Dango Ouattara, but overall, he was delighted with the character shown by his players. "It was a performance filled with grit, personality, character and bravery," Andrews remarked. "We had to try and cause a bit of chaos and that's what we did with our set-pieces and general play. I just love watching us play."
This result strengthens Brentford's hold on seventh place in the league, showcasing their ability to compete with top-tier teams through disciplined and physical football. For Arsenal, the draw serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they face in maintaining their title challenge, especially when confronted with teams that excel in set-piece scenarios.
