Arsenal’s Premier League title charge hit a speed bump at the Gtech Community Stadium, where a resilient Brentford side fought back to secure a 1-1 draw on February 12, 2026, slicing the Gunners’ lead over Manchester City to just four points in a chaotic clash that exposed vulnerabilities in Mikel Arteta’s otherwise dominant squad.
Noni Madueke’s looping header in the 61st minute seemed to have sealed a hard-fought victory for the visitors, but Keane Lewis-Potter’s diving equalizer nine minutes later ensured the spoils were shared, leaving Arsenal frustrated despite extending their unbeaten run.
The match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with Arsenal struggling to impose themselves early on amid Brentford’s high-pressing intensity and physicality.
The Gunners managed just one shot in the opening 45 minutes—their lowest tally in a first half since a 5-0 drubbing by Manchester City in August 2021—highlighting a lack of creativity that prompted Arteta to hook Eberechi Eze at the break in favor of captain Martin Odegaard.
Brentford, under Keith Andrews, looked the more threatening side initially, with Igor Thiago forcing a stunning point-blank save from David Raya after a midfield mix-up involving Declan Rice.
The hosts outshot Arsenal 12-7 overall, registering three big chances to the visitors’ one, underscoring their dominance in key moments.
Odegaard’s introduction injected life into Arsenal’s attack, and they capitalized when Piero Hincapie’s hooked cross from the left found Madueke, who arched back to guide a clever header past a wrong-footed Caoimhin Kelleher for his 15th league goal of the season and Arsenal’s first shot on target.
The lead, however, proved fleeting as Brentford’s set-piece prowess shone through; a long throw from Michael Kayode was flicked on by Sepp van den Berg, allowing Lewis-Potter to plunge forward and nod home the leveler in the 70th minute.
The frantic finale saw Thiago blaze over from close range after Cristhian Mosquera’s desperate block, while Kelleher thwarted Gabriel Martinelli in a one-on-one during stoppage time, preserving the draw in a helter-skelter encounter that could have swung either way.
Arteta, reflecting on the result, acknowledged the challenges posed by Brentford’s style while lamenting his team’s loss of composure after taking the lead. “The game had moments,” he told BBC Sport. “We started without the control and dominance we wanted, but after that, we got the rhythm and had situations to score. We started the second half really well, the first 20-25 minutes. They score the goal and from there we lacked more composure to maintain the goal better, play in the right areas, to instill more discipline. Because we started to give a lot of unnecessary free-kicks away and bad clearances and allow the ball in the channels and they start to generate set-pieces – and they are really good at it, so credit to them as well.”
He added on the title implications, “We have to do our job and come to all these places like the rest of the teams. You have to be at your best every game and have the luck as well you need in games to conquer the three points each week.”
Addressing Eze’s underwhelming performance and halftime substitution, Arteta had previously emphasized the need for impact, stating, “Yes, you have to impact the game consistently throughout 96 minutes at this level. Any phase, any action is the most important action and on top of that, you have to be able to add other values. In his case, he is very, very good and unique at creating those magic moments. So that is the demand of each player.”
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, meanwhile, hailed his team’s resilience and tactical execution against the league leaders. “I thought we were excellent, brilliant in most aspects for most of the game against a top, top team with brilliant individuals,” he said. “First half, the way we approached it, got control of the game, created better opportunities. Second half, Odegaard coming on changed the dynamics and how they play. They had control for 15-20 minutes but I thought we were excellent for the last 30 minutes and looked the team more likely to win.”
Andrews also praised his side’s set-piece threat, noting, “There’s a lot made of Arsenal’s set-pieces… we’re not so bad ourselves. Inside the box today, I was really happy with our movement, with our body language.”
Goalkeeper David Raya echoed the disappointment in the Arsenal camp, telling TNT Sports, “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.”
As of February 13, 2026, the fallout from the match centers on Arsenal’s recent form, with the draw marking the second time this season they’ve failed to hold a lead after scoring first in 17 such games.
Brentford, unbeaten in their last five home league games, continue their impressive campaign, sitting seventh and having lost only two of their past 11 outings.
No fresh injury concerns have emerged, though Arsenal remain without William Saliba due to suspension, and Bukayo Saka’s return is eyed for upcoming fixtures.
The result sets up a tense title race, with Arsenal next facing Wolves in a double gameweek, while Brentford aim to build on their point against a faltering Tottenham.
