Arsenal 1-1 Brentford: Thomas Partey had given Arsenal the lead just after the hour, but Yoane Wissa took Brentford's Equalizer with 16 minutes left over
Arsenal allowed Liverpool to get even closer to the Premier League title after he had been pulled home to Brentford, and the Reds of Arne Slot now only have to protect nine points more to secure the 20th league title of the club before he secures Entertainment West Ham on Sunday.
The Gunners had made five changes to their starting line-up prior to the trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, and they therefore delivered an incoherent version, although Kieran Tierney saw a first half header pronounced for offside.
Thomas Partey finally made the breakthrough just after the hour when he shot home after a row -declan rice -run, but there were few other efforts with the goal of the hosts.
And they were punished for those 16 minutes from time when Yoane Wissa ended Slim after a corner that Arsenal, who missed their usual physical dominance, had not achieved. Here are the most important talk points of the game, because the real winners were Liverpool.
1. Mikel Arteta passes the changes
Mikel Arteta knew that he created the first point of conversation of this game, even before it started, with the Arsenal boss made five changes from the largest night of the Emirates Stadium against Real Madrid in midweek.
No opportunities can be taken in the Bernabeu – you have seen Real Madrid at home in the Champions League, right? – But were five changes a few too much? The Gunners are not the most creative side of open game at the best times, and therefore the removal of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka from the starting line-up would hardly help with that.
Could arteta have started a few of his chiefs and then pull them out early? Only he knows where they are fitness, but there is no doubt that the team schedule would be gratefully received in the dressing room of Brentford, and on Merseyside too, and the display of Arsenal for the first hour was hardly inspiring.
2. The Tierney triumph has quickly canceled
The last Arsenal -target of Tierney was in November 2022, but there was a moment when he was on his way to the excellent cross of Ethan Nwaneri when the shot thought drought was over. And it was really a moment.
Semi-automated exterior have been around in other competitions for a while and so they are not really something new, but there is a refreshing speed in the decisions that we simply did not have before, and that will certainly help with the perception of VAR in the future. It gets better, fair.
3. The best keeper of the 'Premier League is defeated
The Cies football observatory is a body that occasionally pops up to rank a few things, and they like a little controversy. This week their subject was the best keepers in the world last year, and when it comes to the top stopper of the Premier League who apparently was … Mark Flekken.
Now the Brentford No.1 is a perfectly usable keeper, but the best in the competition? His opposite number has more a claim on that throne here, although it is not either. At least David Raya was present to start the move that led to Arsenal's goal, while he released Rice to find Pidey, who 'the best goalkeeper of the Premier League' pretty easily beat if the Dutchman was still curious.
4. Yoane Wissa is too good to be ignored
Seven Premier League objectives in 2021-22, seven in 2022-23, 12 in 2023-24 and now 15 (in only 29 games) in 2024-25. At what time are you going to be underestimated to normal rated, because Wissa is now certain?
The attacker is one of the very best he does in the division, and his finish here was a perfect example of the predatory instincts that he shown in England during his time. He is now 28 and may have missed the boat when it comes to a big step, but you can think of many clubs that can do with him.
5. Gabriel Martinelli is unable to leave his mark
It has been a curious season for Gabriel Martinelli. It had even been a curious few seasons. The Brazilian cannot be stopped at best, but we see it all too volatile nowadays, and it seems that several of his opponents find it easy to improve it.
It was the turn of Kristoffer Ajer to do that here and he did this impressive, both in the future and defensive. Martinelli will certainly hold back in his place for the Bernabeu, but can Arsenal do with the upgrading of him soon?
Become a member of our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of mirror football content. We also deal with our members of the community on special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can view every time you like. If you are curious, you can read our privacy statement.