Premier League: Arsenal vs Brentford 1-1 Report

Ivan Toney’s header earns Brentford a well-deserved point at Emirates Stadium and extends the Bees’ unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 matches.

Leaders Arsenal failed to return to Premier League winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat at Everton last weekend but were unable to get three points on the north London scoreboard with Brentford’s comeback securing a share of the spoils.

Leandro Trossard’s first goal for the club put Arsenal ahead in the 66th minute, but Ivan Toney equalized in the 74th minute and the hosts failed to score a second.

The result left Mikel Arteta’s side six points clear of second-placed Manchester City with the same number of games played (21), while Brentford sit eighth with 34 points from 22 league games this season.

Brentford had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the fifth minute when Toney found Rico Henry just inside the Arsenal penalty area, but the defender somehow missed.

Bukayo Saka had a half-chance for Arsenal in the 15th minute after combining with Martin Odegaard, but the England international could not clear David Raya’s drive.

However, Brentford were causing plenty of problems and Toney hit the bar in the 25th minute after a stunning combination with Bryan Mbuemo inside the Arsenal penalty area.

Toney tried his luck again in the 39th minute, the Englishman pulling off a deft save from Aaron Ramsdale as the visitors threatened to make the breakthrough late in the first half.

Arsenal had a chance in the 43rd minute when Granit Xhaka set up Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the penalty area, but the Brazil international’s shot went over the crossbar.

Brentford goalkeeper Raya made a smart save to deflect Odegaard’s shot in the 51st minute before Toney missed the bar with a low shot from the other side of the area.

Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute and it was the Gunners’ first goal for Trossard, who finished Saka’s brilliant cross into the bottom corner of the far post.

However, Brentford fell behind after just eight minutes, with Toney leveling the scores in the 74th minute, slotting home from close range after Arsenal failed to clear the lines.

There was a VAR check for a possible foul but the goal was awarded standing, with Brentford getting the goal they deserved for their late response.

Arsenal had most of the possession in the final, with the leaders chasing second place, but Arteta’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Next up for the Gunners is a home game against Man City on Wednesday, while Brentford will look to return to winning ways when they host Crystal Palace next weekend.

Lineups:

Subs not used: Cox, Hickey, Zanka, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Baptiste

Subs not used: Turner, Tierney, Kiwior, Holding, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Cozier-Duberry

Scorers:

Bookings: 

Man of the Match : Bukayo Saka