The hosts struggled for creativity and a cutting edge and were made to pay as they dropped more points in what's proving a futile chase of Liverpool
Mikel Arteta rolled the dice as he made multiple changes to his starting XI in an attempt to get the job done against Brentford, only to be held to a 1-1 draw that gives Liverpool the chance to move 13 points clear at the top.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were all named on the bench as Arteta attempted to keep his star names fresh and ready for Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid, seemingly convinced the tie is far from over, despite holding a commanding 3-0 lead.
It took until the 21st minute for a slow burning first half to see some goalmouth action here as first Kristoffer Ajer forced David Raya into a save at his near post before Kieran Tierney headed home soon after, only for the new automated VAR system to correctly rule that the Scot was clearly offside.
Arsenal racked up 10 corners in the opening 45 minutes but failed to find a breakthrough, with Leandro Trossard stinging Mark Flekken's palms shortly before half-time – one of only two shots on target in the opening period for the hosts as the Brentford backline contained their opponents.
With the Gunners lacking inspiration in attack, it would take some urgency from goalkeeper David Raya to spark them into the life. The Spaniard caught Bryan Mbeumo's corner and quickly bowled the ball out to Declan Rice, with Tuesday night's free-kick hero galloping forward unopposed before laying off to Thomas Partey to finish the move off and find the corner of the net.
Brentford had rarely threatened Raya's goal but they would find the equaliser 17 minutes from time – Michael Kayode's lofted cross to the far post finding Nathan Collins, who headed back across to allow Yoane Wissa to swivel on the ball and divert it in for 1-1.
Arteta had already brought the likes of Saka and Odegaard on as substitutes before Brentford had found a way back into it, and although the former probably ought to have done better with a chance after rounding Flekken, there was no way through as the hosts dropped more points in what is proving a limp attempt at pushing Liverpool all the way in the Premier League title race.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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David Raya (7/10):
Made a decent save to stop Ajer giving Brentford a shock first-half lead and then his quick-thinking released Rice on the counter for Arsenal's opener. Could do little to stop Wissa's equaliser.
Thomas Partey (8/10):
Brought in at right-back and his forward bursts gave Arsenal an outlet throughout, including the lung-busting run that would end with him smashing home the opening goal.
William Saliba (7/10):
Had been completely dominant up against Schade and Wissa but was then beaten in the air by Collins which led to the goal. One delightful arrowed ball through should've seen him claim an assist but Martinelli wasted the chance.
Jakub Kiwior (6/10):
Another assured showing from the Pole although he'll be annoyed that a clean sheet slipped away.
Kieran Tierney (6/10):
Dealt well with the threat of Mbeumo before being taken off on the hour mark for Lewis-Skelly.
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Jorginho (6/10):
Played a game-high 68 passes to keep Arsenal ticking over but would've hoped to have made a few of them in more threatening areas. Taken off late on with an injury as Arsenal had to play finish with 10 men.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Was more onus on him to make things happen given Odegaard's absence from the XI and it was his driving run forward that created the opener. Might've done a bit better to prevent the cross that led to Brentford's leveller.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
Forced Flekken into a decent save in the first half but was pretty quiet and eventually hooked for Odegaard as Arsenal tried to add more creativity.
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Ethan Nwaneri (5/10):
He looked the most likely to make something happen early doors but ultimately his jinking runs inside onto his left foot became a bit too predictable. Hooked for Saka after an hour.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Fired in a couple of shots that were easily dealt with by Flekken in what was an ineffective display from the Belgian.
Gabriel Martinelli (4/10):
Slipped onto his backside as Arsenal pushed for a winner, which summed up his day. Arsenal needed far more from him and he was wasteful.
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Bukayo Saka (5/10):
Might've won it late on but took too long to steady himself and the chance was gone.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Created a couple of chances after coming on for the final half hour but ultimately couldn't change the course of the game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Not sure where he was for Brentford's goal, with Trossard left in a two v one situation for the cross that found Collins at the far post.
Jurrien Timber (5/10):
Will be disappointed not to have made life more difficult for Wissa for the goal.
Mikel Merino (N/A):
On for the last 15 but couldn't deliver the winner.
Mikel Arteta (4/10):
With Liverpool miles out in front he was always likely to prioritise Wednesday's trip to the Bernabeu but, rightly or wrongly, the decision to bench the likes of Saka, Odegaard and Merino backfired. Just three more wins needed for Arne Slot's men now.
