3 standout players from Arsenal's hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brentford

Two points dropped in the title race but, in truth, Arsenal might be content to have come away from Brentford with just one.

Keith Andrews warned pre-match that he liked “creating chaos” and that is exactly what the Bees did against the leaders. After conceding, the home team ramped up their attacks to put big pressure on the Gunners’ backline; only for some last-ditch defending, that intent would have yielded a late goal to win it.

That they got just one is a testament to the efforts of Arsenal, who stood up well to the defensive job in a hostile setting. Doing so amid the distraction of losing William Saliba to illness so close to kick off makes it a bit more special.

3 standout players as Arsenal are held to a 1-1 draw against Keith Andrews’ spirited Brentford

Even if it did not yield the best result, here are the three standout Gunners from a difficult match at the Gtech Community Stadium.

1. Cristhian Mosquera

He impresses each time he puts on the shirt.

In years gone by, news of Saliba missing out would send the Arsenal fanbase into meltdown. It is not exactly nice to hear it today either, but the prospect of competing without him is far less daunting if Cristhian Mosquera is fit to deputise.

The 21-year-old showed just what he can do at Brentford, looking comfortable both in possession as well as in physical duels and dealing well with a bouncing ball in the first half. There were also times when the home press forced him to collect in a right-back position yet he was ready to progress the play even from out wide.

Meanwhile, THAT tackle on Igor Thiago at the death is almost as good as a goal at the other end (the goal that Gabriel Martinelli did not score…).

Saliba only missed out through illness so he will probably come straight back in for the trip to Wolves next week. However, this was a top-class performance from Mosquera and he proved his worth as a back-up option.

It could lead to more moving forward.

2. Piero Hincapié

It seems Riccardo Calafiori has a fight on his hands to reclaim the left-back berth, judging by the work of Piero Hincapié here.

Injury woes have seen Hincapié earn lots of game time lately and he got the nod here too – maybe as a means of load management for Calafiori or partly due to how poor the Italian was during the game against Sunderland.

Whatever the reason, he did a fine job at Brentford. The loanee never gave Dango Ouattara too much encouragement down his left flank and he did well to support Leandro Trossard via overlapping runs when Arsenal got chances to attack.

Furthermore, it was his endeavour which won back possession in the Bees’ half and his excellent ball that set up Noni Madueke for the opener.

A fit Calafiori might take his place because of what he brings to the team with his movement off the ball, but Hincapié is taking his opportunities right now and has done everything he can to make life difficult for Mikel Arteta.

3. Viktor Gyokeres

This choice might split opinion but Viktor Gyokeres deserves his flowers.

Fans often fear the worst when Kai Havertz is out, as Gyokeres does not offer the same skillset when it comes to linking play.

Yet he did a thankless job very well on Thursday; his first touch was generally good under pressure, he stretched the opposition defence when passes were sent into the channels, and he combined to good effect with his teammates up top – his flick over the top led to the late chance that Martinelli squandered.

Critics love to throw around stats about how few shots he has in games or talk of his pitiful touch map, but that does not tell the full story. The Swede formed a lonely man against a mean Brentford defence which never gave him an inch to score, yet he still performed well and, on another night, he might have won plaudits for teeing up the winner.

Hopefully he keeps this level up.