Brentford 1-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners frustrated by resilient Bees

Arsenal missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Mikel Arteta was forced to make a few changes for this tie. An unfortunate injury ruled Kai Havertz out the night before the game while William Saliba was absent due to illness. Eberechi Eze and Cristhian Mosquera came into the starting lineup as a result.

A relatively nervy opening 20 minutes led to Brentford seeing the first chance come their way. A cross was swung in for Igor Thiago to meet and send a header towards goal, but David Raya did brilliantly to react and save.

That opportunity led to the Bees enjoying a dominant spell, controlling much of the possession going towards the half hour mark. However, Arsenal grew back into the game with both Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke causing some problems in attack.

Despite positive periods of play for both sides, neither team could break the deadlock before the break, meaning they went into half-time level at 0-0.

The Gunners came out from the halfway point looking like a team determined to take three points. Arteta's side upped the ante with Leandro Trossard seeing two shots blocked and substitute Martin Ødegaard looking lively after replacing Eze.

It wasn't soon after that the first goal came though and it was Arsenal who drew first blood at the Gtech. Piero Hincapié did really well to keep a loose ball in play and send a great cross into the box. Madueke rose highest to meet it with his head and beat Caoimhin Kelleher.

Arteta's side had a great chance to make it two soon after when Ødegaard won back possession before teeing up Declan Rice. The Englishman could've shot, but opted to tee up Gyökeres. However, the resulting pass was dealt with well.

Thiago then led the Bees on a counter attack and decided to go alone despite having Dango Ouattara in support, only to see his strike well saved by Raya.

Brentford did level matters shortly after though, doing so through a well worked set piece. A long throw-in was flicked on by Sepp van den Berg for Keane Lewis-Potter to ghost in at the back post and head past Raya.

After the Bees went close to taking the lead a number of times, Arsenal had a great chance to win it in stoppage time when Jurrien Timber found himself through on goal before setting up Gabriel Martinelli, who saw his low strike kept out by Kelleher.

A lively finish had no exciting end as it ended all square in West London, meaning the Gunners' advantage at the top of the Premier League sits at just four points currently. Arteta's side will have to wait a week for another chance to go again as they host Wigan in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Brentford 1-1 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6.5/10 - Made a great reaction save to deny Thiago the opening goal. Prevented the Brazilian again with a trickier effort from close range. Nothing he could do about Lewis-Potter's great equaliser. Did have a few nervy moments throughout.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 5/10 - Struggled to have the same impact as he usually does as he looked off it in attack and defence. A tough day at the office for the Dutchman.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 7.5/10 - Showed once again why he is a more than capable deputy for Saliba, coming in and defending well. Will be disappointed to have conceded. Made a great challenge to deny Thiago a clear chance right at the end.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 6.5/10 - Made a sloppy error early on when his poor back pass led to a Brentford corner. Improved after the mistake, but was outjumped by van den Berg for the equaliser.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 7/10 - Did well to keep the ball in play and send a brilliant cross in for Madueke to head in the opener. Replaced by Calafiori in the closing stages.

Midfielders

Eberechi Eze (CM) - 4/10 - Struggled to get involved amid a worrying trend that he is failing to take his chances. Hooked at half-time.

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 6.5/10 - Solid at the base and played a few good passes while also trying to get involved in attack. Wasn't as influential as usual though.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7/10 - Didn't stop running all night and caused problems with his set piece deliveries. Had a chance to shoot to make it 2-0, but opted to play a pass which didn't come off. Took the ball off Damsgaard's feet late on.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7/10 - Enjoyed a nice bit of link-up play with Gyökeres in the first-half. Headed in the opening goal with a great leap and effort to beat Kelleher. Withdrawn with 20 minutes to play.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 6/10 - Linked up nicely with Madueke for a spell in the first-half, but the move came to nothing. Struggled as the game went on and mostly found himself out wide when in possession.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 6/10 - Had a relatively quiet first-half, but came to life after the break. Saw two shots well blocked early on. His influence faded again before he was taken off in the final 10 minutes.

Substitutes

• Martin Ødegaard (on 46' for Eze) - 7/10
• Bukayo Saka (on 70' for Madueke) - 6/10
• Riccardo Calafiori (on 81' for Hincapié) - 6/10
• Gabriel Martinelli (on 81' for Trossard) - 6/10

Player of the match: Cristhian Mosquera