By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@PremierLeague.
Log leaders Arsenal missed out on the chance to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday.
The Gunners did not have a shot on target in the first half, despite Gabriel Magalhaes going close from an early corner. It was Brentford who had the best chance of the half as Igor Thiago’s header from 12 yards was superbly kept out by David Raya.
Arsenal brought on captain Martin Odegaard – back from injury – at half-time for the disappointing Eberechi Eze and that made a difference, with the league leaders then taking the lead from their first effort on target.
Just as Bukayo Saka was ready to join the action, Noni Madueke headed Piero Hincapie’s fierce cross into the far corner.
But Brentford were not disheartened by going behind, if anything it spurred them on. Keane Lewis-Potter should have levelled but put a free header wide from a corner.
At the other end, Michael Kayode put in a brilliant last-ditch tackle to stop Viktor Gyokeres from making it two, when Declan Rice should have shot earlier.
And those two Brentford players had a role in the equaliser. Kayode’s long throw was flicked on at the near post, with Lewis-Potter beating Odegaard to the ball at the far post to level. Neither side could get a winner, in a result which boosts Brentford’s European hopes – and damages Arsenal’s challenge.