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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says his side lacked composure and discipline as the Gunners missed out on a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League by spurning a lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Noni Madueke headed the visitors in front in the 61st minute, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalise 10 minutes later following a long throw before Brentford threatened a late winner and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was denied in a one-on-one during added time.
“It is really difficult to dominate the game for long periods because Brentford are really good,” Arteta said after his side dropped points for the fourth time in six league matches.
“When the ball is in or around the byline, in the channel or when you put the ball out for a throw-in, it is like a casino.
“Anything can happen and something really bad can happen. You have to navigate that and, after the first 15 minutes, we started to dominate.”
Arsenal have the breakthrough!
Noni Madueke with a header of real quality 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Kpq0IWRm6X
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
How Brentford have made set pieces count
Brentford’s success from set-pieces this season is little surprise given that rookie boss Keith Andrews was their set-piece coach under his predecessor as manager, Thomas Frank.
Former Republic of Ireland Under-21s assistant coach Stephen Rice, who became the Bees’ new set-piece expert in August, will have been thrilled to see Sepp van den Berg flick on a throw for Lewis-Potter to score for the seventh-placed side, who are firmly in contention for European qualification.
“We started the second half really well for the first 20 or 25 minutes,” said Arteta, crediting Brentford. “We scored and, from there, we lacked more composure to maintain the level better, play in the right areas and stay more disciplined. “
Arsenal’s advantage over second-placed Manchester City is now four points, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium on the horizon in April.
Brentford are level!
A trademark long throw is finished off by Keane Lewis-Potter 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h1aqtgIh2g
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
Why did Arsenal substitute Eberechi Eze vs Brentford?
England forward Eberechi Eze was replaced by Martin Odegaard at half-time on the midfielder’s return from injury.
“We needed a different kind of profile, especially with the manner in which Brentford were pressing,” said Arteta, discussing his decision to switch out the player he signed from Crystal Palace in August for an initial £60 million.
“We had a really good chance at the end with a one-v-one for Martinelli, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Arteta claimed his view on the title race has not changed over recent weeks. “You have to be at your best in every game and have the luck you need in every game to conquer the three points,” added the Spaniard.
You can see stats from the Premier League match here.
David Raya with an incredible save to deny Brentford an opener 😲@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
Brentford confirmed starting team vs Arsenal
Brentford made one change from their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday, bringing in Yehor Yarmoliuk for Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Forward Kevin Schade was suspended and Reiss Nelson was ineligible to play against his parent club, so Luka Bentt replaced the winger on the bench.
Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva had long-term injuries.
Brentford starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dango Ouattara, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago
Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furo, Luka Bentt
Arsenal confirmed starting team vs Brentford
Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Odegaard returned on the bench for Arsenal following injuries, having missed the home wins over Chelsea and Sunderland last week.
Centre-back William Saliba was not involved at all as the hosts made four changes from their 3-0 victory against the Black Cats on Saturday.
Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba and Piero Hincapie came in for full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In attack, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres supplanted Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Midfielder or forward Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgery and winger Max Dowman was out with an ankle issue.
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Brentford vs Arsenal stats
Brentford’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their previous home league game had ended a seven-match unbeaten run at the Gtech Stadium
Since the start of last season, they’ve only lost consecutive home league games twice, the first time of which was a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest followed by a loss to Arsenal
Their first-ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal, in their first game in the competition in August 2021
Since then, they’re winless in their last nine against the Gunners (D3 L6)
One of their last 11 home London derbies in the Premier League has resulted in victory (D7 L4), going winless in seven since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024
Igor Thiago has nine goals in his last 11 Premier League home games, netting four braces along the way. Only Erling Haaland (5) has scored multiple goals in more different home matches this season
This was Brentford’s fourth Premier League game ever on a Thursday – they lost 2-0 at Tottenham in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in May 2025 and drew 0-0 with Spurs last month
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 678 Premier League London derbies as manager
Overall, only Arsene Wenger (106 from 194 games) and Jose Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard
One of Arsenal’s last 24 Premier League London derbies has resulted in defeat (W17 D6)
Since the start of 2022/23, they’ve lost one of their 21 away games against London sides (W14 D6)
Although Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays (W9 D4), they’re without a win (D2 L2) in any of their last four on Thursdays
Arteta’s side had won their previous three trips to Brentford by an aggregate score of 7-1
What’s next for these teams? Brentford, Arsenal fixtures
Brentford visit non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday (19:30 GMT), a day after Arsenal host third-tier strugglers Wigan Athletic (16:30) at the same stage of the competition.
Arsenal are next in league action away to bottom side Wolves on Wednesday (20:00). Brentford host Brighton & Hove Albion on February 21 (15:00).
