Arsenal almost had one hand of the Premier League trophy at the weekend, when they looked set to go nine points clear – but they can now feel Manchester City breathing down their neck
Arsenal might be able to feel Manchester City breathing down their neck.
City, who were so close to falling nine points behind the Gunners definitively on Sunday – before they staged an impressive comeback at Anfield – cut the gap to just three points on Tuesday. And when Arsenal had the chance to extend their lead, they faltered.
Arsenal were bullied on Thursday evening, outplayed for large portions of the game as they escaped the Gtech Community Stadium with one point – but in a week of momentum swings, it’s another huge week for the Premier League title race.
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In the freezing cold of the British winter, Arsenal seemed to turn to ice as Brentford fashioned the best chances in the opening exchanges.
And, for periods it looked like it was the Bees that were fighting for the title and not the Gunners. Brentford’s high balls into the box were causing all sorts of problems for Arsenal – and there was only, really, one team in it.
Arteta needed to get his team in for the break, as they limped to the whistle – thankful David Raya had managed to keep them level thanks to a Hollywood save from an Igor Thiago header. It needed to change for the Gunners, and Arteta looked to his bench.
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Eberechi Eze, who had been passive at best, was hooked as Martin Odegaard breathed new life into the title-chasers. Suddenly it was Arsenal on top and they got their reward thanks to Noni Madueke.
His header looped across the goal and into the far corner of the net. But that was the kick up the rear Brentford needed, and Arsenal started to sleep walk once again.
Set-pieces have been the Gunners’ best friend throughout the season, but it was their undoing on Thursday. They were bullied from every corner and throw-in – handed a taste of their own medicine they just couldn’t stomach.
And when Keane Lewis-Potter headed home, the result only looked to be going one way. Thiago and Gabriel Martinelli both had golden edged chances, but neither could find the net.
Arteta got his substitution at half-time right, but Arsenal looked out on their feet as they stumbled across the finish line.
Their gap at the top is down to four, and its the small matter of the north London derby at the weekend.