MATURE Arsenal had their eyes firmly set on their mid-week second leg tie at Real Madrid after being held to a 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Mikel Areta made five changes to prepare to defend their 3-0 lead on Madrid in the Champions League, but Thomas Partey, who remained in the XI, backed up his underrated performance with an another cracker here.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 61st minute
After a quiet afternoon, Yoanne Wissa equalised for Brentford
It started out like a pre-season friendly, with Arsenal cautiously trying to avoid any unnecessary injuries ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
And while Brentford chanted “You’ll win f*** all” come May, the away players were flat in their chase for European qualification.
Arsenal thought they took the lead but Kieran Tierney‘s header in the 26th minute was ruled out by the new semi-automated offside rule.
And moments later Brentford captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card for a rough challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Partey finally found a breakthrough after a lung-bursting counter-attacking run from provider Declan Rice, before Arteta brought on the cavalry.
Yet the subs actually negatively effected Arsenal‘s momentum, and Brentford quickly equalised through Yoane Wissa‘s acrobatic finish.
Arsenal are now 10 points behind Liverpool, who need just three wins to secure the title.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Gunners at the Emirates stadium.
David Raya – 7
Not as composed and commanding as he was against Madrid, but how could he be?
The Spaniard sent a few iffy passes into the visitors’ path early on.
But he produced a great save to deny Kristoffer Ajer from an opener inside 20 minutes, after Bryan Mbeumo‘s great first time ball for the overlap around Tierney.
Distribution was fantastic as pro-active goalkeeping saw him pluck a testing Brentford corner out the air before rolling out to Rice for his on a rampaging run for Arsenal‘s goal. Great vision.
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Kieran Tierney – 6
The left back looked chuffed after receiving huge applause from the fans and hugs from his team–mates after heading in a goal in the 26th minute.
But an offside call from VAR denied the Scot what could have been his last goal for the club, with a likely summer exit to Celtic looming.
Brilliantly got back to nick the ball from Mbeumo, who was a few yards from getting a shot off.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
The Pole just keeps growing in confidence with each passing game, a credit to his circumstance and how he has taken the opportunity.
There is a sense of calm that previously was not there when he first came in.
William Saliba – 8
Woke the fans up from their sleep with an inviting 20 yard run, to win Arsenal a corner in the first 15 minutes.
The Frenchman wasn’t asked to do much defensively in the first half.
But he dealt with the pace of Kevin Schade and dominated their one-on-one strength battle later in the game.
Brilliant on the ball as he repeatedly carried it out from the back, rarely making a mistake.
Thomas Partey – 8
Should the 31-year-old be given a contract extension when his current deal expires in the summer?
Tuesday’s unsung hero moved into right back in Arteta’s five man squad rotation ahead of the trip to Madrid on Wednesday.
He inverted into midfield, with Brentford unable to offer any threat down the right hand side.
And just as Arteta was prepping Saka and Odegaard to come on, Partey lashed in his first fourth Prem goal of the season.
Things turned sour though, because Partey could be a doubt for Madrid, after the Ghanaian picked up an unspecified knock.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
Started in midfield and was eager to impress with some nice flashes in his audition to come off the bench against Madrid.
Gifted chances to Ethan Nwaneri and Martinelli in the first half and tested Mark Flekken‘s goal himself.
The Ukrainian, of course, isn’t as brave going forward as Odegaard. But this was a solid performance.
Declan Rice – 7
His name was cheered the loudest before kick-off after his thunderous free kicks against Madrid here on Tuesday.
But he’s clearly the engine of this Arsenal team, who dominates in midfield, gets in the box and sends glorious corners in time after time.
It was Rice’s near 30-yard run that set up Partey’s opener.
He did head down into Vitaly Janelt’s path inside six minutes, but luckily for him, Brentford couldn’t get a shot off.
But there’s a feeling among fans that something special can happen every time Rice touches the ball in the opposition box.
Jorginho – 4
The Italian was wearing the armband from the off with Odegaard rested on the bench and Gabriel Magalhaes out until the end of the season.
But it wasn’t exactly a captain’s performance from a deeper role in midfield. Much of the game seemed to pass him by at times.
The former Chelsea star is clearly one of those destined to leave in the summer overhaul.
Arsenal went down to 10 as Jorginho limped off with a suspected rib injury and all five subs were used.
Ethan Nwaneri – 5
The 18-year-old stepped into Bukayo Saka‘s shoes on the right wing, with Arteta saving the England superstar for Madrid.
But he didn’t see much of the ball and struggled with Brentford’s physical low block.
Produced a brilliant cross which sadly was nodded in by the only player who happened to be offside in the build-up.
And got the fans up from their seats with some tricky feet through several Brentford stars at the start of the second half.
Nwaneri didn’t see much of the ball and struggled with Brentford’s physical low block
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Was Arsenal’s most fouled player. He took a bizarre touch when Zinchenko found him a few yards from Flekken’s goal in the first half.
The Brazilian needs to be stronger at times. But his runs were a handful down the left flank all afternoon.
The Emirates went nuts – and so did Arteta – when Norgaard avoided a red card after clattering into Martinelli from behind in the first half.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Another game, another makeshift striker for Arsenal, with club player of the month Merino rested on the bench.
Trossard did well to break away inside 13 minutes but his pass was just behind Martinelli.
He’s always a great player to have in your squad and had several shots kept out by busy bees keeper Flekken in the first half.
SUBS
Bukayo Saka – (for Nwaneri ’63 min) – 5
Should’ve scored a massive chance when he pinched the ball off Flekken and rounded him late on, but couldn’t make it count.
Martin Odegaard – (for Zinchenko ’62 min) – 5
A valiant attempt to pull some strings, but to no avail.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – (for Tierney ’62 min) – 6
Strolled through Brentford’s left hand side within a minute of coming on. What a talent he is.
Imagine being saved and prioritised for the 15 times Kings of Europe at 18 years old.
Jurrien Timber – (for Partey ’70 min) – 4
Was turned by Wissa for Brentford’s goal.
Mikel Merino – (for Rice ’75 min) – 5
A smart sub for Arteta, came just a minute after 1-1. But the midfielder had little-to-no impact on proceedings.
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