Arsenal saw every persistent Premier League title rising hope in smoke after dropping more points against Brentford.
Mikel Areta made five changes of Tuesday's stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid for the return of the Gunners to the Interior Service.
And, the beautiful Thomas Partey aside, it seemed that this Arsenal XI had more than one eye on Wednesday's return bone in their quarterfinals of Champions League.
It started as a pre-season friendly, where Arsenal carefully tried to prevent unnecessary injuries prior to the big trip to the Bernabeu.
And while Brentford sang “you will” come “all”, in May, the road started flat in their pursuit for European qualification.
Arsenal thought they took the lead, but the header of Kieran Tierney was excluded in the 26th minute by the new semi-automated offside rule.
And a little later Brentford captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card for a rough challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Pedey finally found a breakthrough after a lung fracture counterattacks by provider Declan Rice, before Arteta revealed the cavalry.
Yet the Subs did not affect the momentum of Arsenal negatively, and Brentford quickly made it right due to the acrobatic finish of Yoane Wissa.
After only two victories in their last seven league games, Arsenal is now 10 points behind Liverpool, who need a maximum of three victories to get the title.
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This is how Sunssport's Katherine Walsh De Gunners rated in the Emirates Stadium …
David Raya – 7
Not as composed and commander as he was against Madrid, but how could he be?
The Spaniard sent a pair of IFY in the path of the visitor's path in the beginning.
But he produced a great salvation to deny Kristoffer Ajer within 20 minutes of a more open, after Bryan Mbeumo's great first time ball for the overlap around Tierney.
Distribution was fantastic because proactive keepers saw him picking Brentford corner from the sky before he rolled to Rice for his ramping run for the goal of Arsenal. Great view.
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Kieran Tierney – 6
The left side looked chuffed after he had received enormous applause from the fans and hugs from his team mates after a goal in the 26th minute.
But an offside call from Var denied the Scot, which could have been his last goal for the club, with a likely summer output to Celtic.
Brilliant back to Nick The Ball from Mbeumo, who ran a few meters from a shot.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
The pole continues to grow in confidence with every passing game, a credit to his circumstance and how he took the opportunity.
There is a feeling of calmness that used to be when he came in for the first time.
William Saliba – 8
The fans worked out of their sleep with an inviting 20 Yard Run, to win Arsenal a corner in the first 15 minutes.
The Frenchman was not asked to do much defensive in the first half.
But he treated Kevin's pace and dominated them one-on-a-powerful battle later in the game.
Brilliant on the ball while he repeatedly walked out of the back and rarely made a mistake.
Thomas Partey – 8
Does the 31-year-old have a contract extension when his current deal ends in the summer?
Tuesday's unfortunate hero immediately went back to Arteta's Five Man Squad rotation prior to the trip to Madrid on Wednesday.
He reverse in midfield, with Brentford unable to offer any threat on the right.
And just as Arteta Saka and Odegaard prepared to stand up, Pedey hit his first fourth Prem target of the season.
Things, however, became sour, because Pedey could be a doubt for Madrid, after the Ghanaian had picked up a non -specified knock.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
Started in midfield and wanted to impress with a number of beautiful flashes in his audition to get from the couch against Madrid.
Gifted opportunities for Ethan Nwaneri and Martinelli in the first half and tested the goal of Mark Flekken himself.
The Ukrainian is of course not as brave in the future as Odegaard. But this was a solid version.
Declan Rice – 7
His name was welcomed the loudest before the kick -off after his thunderous free kicks against Madrid here on Tuesday.
But he is clearly the engine of this Arsenal team, which dominates in midfield, enters the box and sends glorious corners in time and time again.
It was Rice's almost 30-year run that set up Pinterey's opener.
He went to the path of Vitaly Janelt within six minutes, but luckily Brentford could not get a shot for him.
But there is a feeling for fans that something special can happen every time Rice touches the ball in the opposition box.
Jorginho – 4
The Italian wore the bracelet from the start with Odegaard rested on the couch and Gabriel Magalhaes until the end of the season.
But it was not exactly the performance of a captain from a deeper role in midfield. Much of the game sometimes seemed to pass him.
The former Chelsea star is clearly one of those intended to leave in the summer overhaul.
Arsenal went to 10 when Jorginho limited himself with a suspected Ribblessel and all five subs were used.
Ethan Nwaneri – 5
The 18-year-old stepped in the shoes of Bukayo Saka on the right wing, with Arteta saving the English superstar for Madrid.
But he didn't see much of the ball and struggled with the physical low block of Brentford.
Produced a brilliant cross that was unfortunately kinked by the only player who happened to be offside in the structure.
And the fans made their seats with a number of difficult feet through different Brentford stars at the start of the second half.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Was the most polluted player of Arsenal. He took a bizarre touch when Zinchenko found him in the first half a few meters from the goal of Flekken.
The Brazilian sometimes has to be stronger. But his runs were a handful of the left flank all afternoon.
The Emirates went crazy – and arteta too – when Norgaard avoided a red card after he had clattered in the first half in Martinelli.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Another game, another improvised striker for Arsenal, with Club Player of the Month Merino rested on the couch.
Trossard did well to break away within 13 minutes, but his pass was just behind Martinelli.
He is always a great player to have in your team and has kept different shots outside by busy bee keeper Flekken in the first half.
Subs
Bukayo Saka – (for Nwaneri '63 min) – 5
Should have scored a huge opportunity when he squeezed the ball of flugs and completed him late, but could not let it count.
Martin Odegaard – (for Zinchenko '62 min) – 5
A brave attempt to pull some strings, but it didn't help.
Myles Lewis -Skelly – (For Tierney '62 min) – 6
Walked through Brentford's left within a minute after he came up. What a talent he is.
Imagine being saved and prioritized for the 15 times kings of Europe at the age of 18.
Jurrien Timber – (for Party '70 min) – 4
Wissa was played for the goal of Brentford.
Mikel Merino – (for rice '75 min) – 5
A smart sub for Arteta came a minute after 1-1. But the midfielder had little to no impact on the procedure.
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