Arsenal 1-1 Brentford: Leandro Trossard scores but Gunners held

Substitute Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for Arsenal but the Premier League leaders missed the chance to move eight points clear at the top as Ivan Toney earned resilient Brentford a deserved point.

After a goalless first half in which the Bees hit the woodwork through Toney, the Gunners took the lead when Trossard struck at the back post four minutes after coming off the bench.

But Brentford got the reward their excellent away performance at Emirates Stadium deserved when Toney nodded in Christian Norgaard's cross from close range.

There was a lengthy check by the video assistant referee for a possible offside in the build-up but the goal was eventually confirmed.

Arsenal raised the tempo in the closing stages - including seven minutes of added time - as they searched for a winner but Brentford completed an excellent all-round defensive display by holding firm for a point.

Arsenal face Manchester City - six points behind before their game on Sunday afternoon against Aston Villa - in a top-of-the table showdown on 15 February.

Brentford, meanwhile, are eighth and just five points off fifth place.

Gunners title hopes dented by resilient Bees

Arsenal have been formidable at home this season, winning eight and drawing one of their nine games at the Emirates before the visit of Brentford.

They are one of two sides, along with Newcastle, in the top flight unbeaten on their own turf - but that record was given a stern test against in-form Brentford, who had won four of their previous five league games.

Mikel Arteta's side had plenty of possession but found little joy in unlocking a disciplined Bees defence their patience was rewarded when Trossard struck midway through the second half.

The Belgium forward has looked a fine addition since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion for £27m last month and he was close to adding a second soon after with a shot from distance.

But a one-goal lead rarely looked like it would be enough against a Brentford side who had been sharp in attack, and so it proved when Toney equalised.

The draw for Arsenal follows successive defeats in the league and FA Cup to Everton and Manchester City respectively.

How they respond to this relative stumble - not least in Wednesday's home game against City will be key in determining whether they can win a first Premier League title since 2003-04.

More to follow.

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Arsenal

Brentford

Squad number1Player nameRaya

Squad number20Player nameAjer

Squad number5Player namePinnock

Squad number16Player nameMee

Squad number30Player nameRoerslev

Squad number27Player nameJanelt

Squad number6Player nameNørgaard

Squad number8Player nameJensen

Squad number3Player nameHenry

Squad number19Player nameMbeumo

Squad number17Player nameToney

Squad number9Player nameSchade

Squad number10Player nameDasilva

Squad number11Player nameWissa

Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation 4-3-3

1Ramsdale

4White12Saliba6Gabriel35Zinchenko

8Ødegaard5Partey34Xhaka

7Saka14Nketiah11Martinelli

Substitutes

Brentford

Formation 3-5-2

1Raya

20Ajer5Pinnock16Mee

30Roerslev27Janelt6Nørgaard8Jensen3Henry

19Mbeumo17Toney

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Arsenal 1, Brentford 1.

Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Brentford 1.

Kevin Schade (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Kevin Schade (Brentford).

Substitution, Brentford. Kevin Schade replaces Ivan Toney because of an injury.

Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Christian Nørgaard (Brentford).

Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Mathias Jensen with a cross.

Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Thomas Partey.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Ivan Toney (Brentford).

Foul by Ben White (Arsenal).

Ivan Toney (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Thomas Partey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Ivan Toney (Brentford).

Foul by Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).

Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.

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