Premier League leaders Arsenal saw their lead in the title race reduced to four points on Thursday, when they were lucky to escape west London with a draw and a point after Brentford bullied the bullies in a breathtaking finish.
WATCH — Brentford v Arsenal full match replay
Noni Madueke put Arsenal ahead with a looping header in the 61st minute, but it only seemed to ignite Brentford and force them out of their shell, and that quickly became a real problem for the Gunners. Keane Lewis-Potter equalized off a long throw in the 71st, at which point the game descended into madness until the final whistle. Brentford threatened repeatedly from set plays and wide-open counter-attacks as Arsenal pushed for a second goal, but neither had the requisite finishing touch (or any gas left in the tank) by the time they got themselves in front of goal.
MORE — Mikel Arteta reaction
Arsenal (57 points) lead Manchester City by four points with 12 games left to play. The two sides are set to meet on April 18 (and March 22, for the League Cup final). Brentford (40 points) remain 7th as they chase European qualification for the first time in club history.
Brentford vs Arsenal live updates - by Andy Edwards
Brentford vs Arsenal final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Noni Madueke (61'), Keane Lewis-Potter (71')
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Arsenal: Lewis-Potter equalizes from a long throw (71')
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Arsenal: Madueke loops a header back across goal (61')
Brentford starting XI
Kelleher - Kayode, Ajer, Van den Berg, Henry - Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen - Lewis-Potter, Ouattara, Thiago
Arsenal starting XI
Raya - Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie - Zubimendi, Rice, Eze - Madueke, Trossard, Gyokeres
How to watch Brentford vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — West London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
The Gunners saw their table lead shrink to three points over Man City and six over Aston Villa after Wednesday’s Week 26 action and will have to restore their lead without Bukayo Saka and perhaps without Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard.
Brentford are three points behind Liverpool for sixth and five behind fifth-place Chelsea but are also cognizant of the benefit of putting four teams a bit further behind them. Everton and Bournemouth are two points back of seventh-place Brentford, while Newcastle and Sunderland are three behind the Bees. Keith Andrews’ Brentford have rebounded in impressive fashion after twin 2-0 losses in Weeks 22 and 23, winning away to Villa and Newcastle. They are 6W-2D-2L since the middle of December and have been excellent at home all season, losing just twice and boasting a +11 goal differential at the Gtech.
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Reiss Nelson (loan - unable to face parent club), Kevin Schade (suspension), Antoni Milambo (knee), Fabio Carvalho (torn ACL), Josh Dasilva (knee)
Arsenal team news, focus
OUT: Mikel Merino (ankle), Bukayo Saka (groin), Max Dowman (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Martin Odegaard (knock), Leandro Trossard (muscular)
Brentford vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal have an opportunity make a big statement by producing a multi-goal, comfortable-enough win at Brentford, a good team who has thrived by keeping danger away from their box. It feels within the realm of possibility given their depth advantage over a Brentford side coming off a pair of tough but victorious away days, but we’re believing in the Bees enough to say this won’t be a walk in the park. Brentford 1-2 Arsenal.
