Premier League leaders Arsenal was held to a 1‑1 draw by Brentford on Thursday, narrowing their title lead but drawing praise from manager Mikel Arteta for unity as the title race tightens with 12 matches remaining.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the frustrating evening but called on his players and supporters to stay united and focused as the campaign enters a crucial phase.
“We scored the goal and the game was under total control,” Arteta told reporters after the match. “But against Brentford, that’s not enough because they just need somebody making a foul, a ball in the channel… they are really, really good at what they do. The chaos around the ball is difficult to defend.”
He admitted Arsenal struggled at times to cope with Brentford’s style, particularly from long throws and set‑piece situations that unsettled his defense.
The Spanish tactician urged his squad to maintain composure and continue lifting their performances, despite the dropped points.
“We said, ‘You want to win here? You’re going to have to defend the box with your life and you have to clear the ball,’” Arteta added. “They are one of the best historically in the league from set‑pieces and long throws, and it’s a real threat. We wanted to win, so we feel like we dropped two points.”
The draw at shows there are still some tactical challenges for Arsenal, including a slow start that saw the hosts come on strong in the early part of the match.
Despite controlling large parts of the second half, the visitors could not find a winner, with late chances going begging and Brentford’s defense standing firm.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya backed Arteta’s sentiment and emphasised unity among the squad after the draw.
“Disappointed with just a point. We stick together. It’s a tough place to come, but we just have to stick together and we are still in a great position, and we go again,” Raya said in his post‑match comments.
The result also shows a statistical oddity: Arsenal recorded only a handful of shots on target and struggled to create clear chances for long stretches of the contest.
As the Gunners regroup, they face a packed run of fixtures including an FA Cup tie on Sunday, and a crucial league clash away at Manchester City in April, which could prove decisive in the title race.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
Arsenal always topping chart .The should keep the fire burning.