EPL: Arsenal held by impressive Brentford in North London

Table-topping Arsenal failed to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Everton last weekend but were unable to put three points on the board in North London, with Brentford coming from behind to secure a share of the spoils.

Leandro Trossard’s first goal for the club sent Arsenal ahead in the 66th minute, but Ivan Toney levelled the scores in the 74th minute, and the hosts could not find a second.

The result has left Mikel Arteta’s side six points clear of second-placed Manchester City on the same number of matches (21), while Brentford sit eighth, boasting 34 points from their 22 league games this term.

Brentford had a golden chance to take the lead in the fifth minute when Toney found Rico Henry inside the Arsenal box, but the defender somehow missed the target.

Bukayo Saka had a half-chance for Arsenal in the 15th minute after combining with Martin Odegaard, but the England international could not poke his effort past the onrushing David Raya.

Brentford were causing plenty of problems, though, and Toney hit the crossbar in the 25th minute after combining impressively with Bryan Mbuemo inside the Arsenal penalty box.

Toney again tried his luck in the 39th minute, with the Englishman bringing a smart save from Aaron Ramsdale, as the visitors threatened to make the breakthrough late in the first period.

Arsenal had a chance of their own in the 43rd minute when Granit Xhaka set up Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the box, but the Brazil international’s effort drifted over the crossbar.

Brentford goalkeeper Raya made a smart save to keep out a strike from Odegaard in the 51st minute, before Toney just missed the post with a low effort down the other end of the field.

Arsenal finally made the breakthrough in the 66th minute of the contest, and it was a first Gunners goal for Trossard, who tapped a brilliant Saka cross into the bottom corner at the far post.

Brentford were only behind for eight minutes, though, with Toney levelling the scores in the 74th minute, heading home from close range after Arsenal failed to clear their lines.

There was a VAR check for a possible foul, but the goal was allowed to stand, with Brentford scoring the goal that they richly deserved due to their response to falling behind.

Arsenal had the majority of the ball in the closing stages, with the league leaders looking for a second, but Arteta’s team were made to settle for a share of the spoils.

Next up for the Gunners is the small matter of a home game against Man City on Wednesday, while Brentford will be bidding to return to winning ways when they host Crystal Palace next weekend.