Arsenal`s hopes for the Premier League title diminished further after they dropped points in a match against Brentford.
Mikel Arteta changed five players from the team that achieved a significant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday for their return to Premier League action.
Apart from a stellar performance from Thomas Partey, it appeared that Arsenal`s lineup had their focus partly on the upcoming Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.
The match began with a slow tempo, resembling a pre-season friendly, as Arsenal seemed cautious about avoiding injuries before their important trip to the Bernabeu.
Despite chants from Brentford fans predicting Arsenal`s lack of silverware in May, the Brentford team started sluggishly in their pursuit of European qualification.
Arsenal initially thought they had taken the lead, but Kieran Tierney`s header in the 26th minute was disallowed due to the semi-automated offside rule.
Shortly after, Brentford`s captain Christian Norgaard was fortunate to avoid a red card for a harsh tackle on Gabriel Martinelli.
Partey eventually broke the deadlock following a powerful counter-attacking run initiated by Declan Rice, after which Arteta introduced substitutes.
However, the substitutions seemed to disrupt Arsenal`s rhythm, and Brentford quickly equalized with an impressive acrobatic goal from Yoane Wissa.
With only two victories in their previous seven league matches, Arsenal now trails Liverpool by 10 points, with Liverpool needing just three more wins to secure the league title.
Player Ratings
Here are SunSport`s player ratings for the Arsenal team at the Emirates stadium…
David Raya – 7
While not as commanding as against Real Madrid, Raya still performed adequately. He made an important save against Kristoffer Ajer and demonstrated excellent distribution, notably contributing to Arsenal`s goal with a quick release to Rice.
Kieran Tierney – 6
Tierney experienced the bittersweet moment of having a goal disallowed by VAR. He showed defensive alertness, preventing Mbeumo from getting a clear shot. His future at the club remains uncertain with a potential move in the summer.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
Kiwior`s confidence is visibly growing with each game, showing improvement and composure in his performances.
William Saliba – 8
Saliba injected energy into the game with a strong run early in the match. Defensively solid, he effectively managed Kevin Schade`s pace and strength, and was also impressive in possession, consistently bringing the ball out from defense.
Thomas Partey – 8
Partey made a strong case for a contract extension with his performance. Playing at right-back, he effectively moved into midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively, culminating in a goal. However, a late knock puts his availability for the Madrid game in question.
