Arsenal were on Saturday held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Brentford as the Premier League table toppers failed to win in their last three matches having lost to Manchester City in a FA Cup encounter and Everton in the league last week.
New signing, Leandro Trossard, scored his first Arsenal goal but that was not enough to earn all three points as Brentford hit back just eight minutes later.
The Belgian winter signing, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, converted a low Bukayo Saka cross at the far post after a goalless first half.
But Arsenal failed to hold onto the advantage, and Ivan Toney grabbed an equaliser from close range.
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It means the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the league to six points, at least until Manchester City’s game on Sunday.
Early let offs
The first chance fell to the visitors. A cross from the right fell to Rico Henry who had got forward well. With the goal at his mercy though, he made poor contact inside the six-yard box and the ball bobbled well wide.
At the other end, Oleksandr Zinchenko had Arsenal’s first sighter at goal. A half-cleared corner fell invitingly for the Ukrainian, but he blazed his shot well over from 15 yards out.
Brentford were remaining compact and organised in defence though while possessing the threat of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney on the break.
The two of them so nearly combined to break the deadlock midway through the half. Mbeumo cut the ball back for Toney who sidefooted against the bar. It was a let-off after Arsenal afforded the Bees’ top scorer too much space inside the box.
Ben Mee had a header from a corner blocked as they continued to grow in confidence.
The west Londoners are unbeaten in their past nine Premier League games.
Toney underlined their confidence with a swirling shot from 25 yards that Aaron Ramsdale had to bat away.
As half-time approached Arsenal’s best move of the game to that point resulted in Gabriel Martinelli volleying just over from Granit Xhaka’s laid-off header.
Stalemate broken
Arsenal came out with renewed energy after the break. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both had shots comfortably saved by David Raya.
On the hour mark Mikel Arteta turned to his bench, bringing on Trossard. Within five minutes the Belgian had his first Gunners goal.
Saka shrugged off his marker on the right and sent a low cross into the far post where Trossard tucked into the net. A vital breakthrough and the crowd erupted.
The lead lasted less than ten minutes though. Arsenal failed to deal with a free kick into the box, and after the ball pinged around, it fell to Toney, who couldn’t miss.
Despite speculative efforts from Zinchenko and Thomas Partey, Arsenal couldn’t find a way through and had to make do with just a point from a hard-fought encounter – only the second time they have dropped points at home this season.
Arsenal are back at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night for the big showdown with second-placed Manchester City.
It’s the Gunners’ first meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side in the league this season, and they follow it up with a trip to Aston Villa next Saturday.
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