Arsenal drew 1-1 against Brentford on Saturday, missing out on the opportunity to go eight points clear of Manchester City but questions are being asked about Brentford’s equaliser.
The game started well for Arsenal, but they were unable to break through Brentford’s resolute defence while the Bees fashioned the better chances, particularly in the first half.
Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench, scored his first goal for Arsenal within four minutes of entering the action in the second half.
However, Ivan Toney of Brentford equalised late in the second half, following a VAR check on the wrong offside call.
I can see why Arteta is annoyed. From this angle, it looks offside.
What’s your opinion? pic.twitter.com/vhPY2GJNVG
— A Bergkamp Wonderland *An Arsenal Podcast (@TheAFCPodcast) February 11, 2023
In his press conference after the game, Mikel Arteta was asked if he thought the Brentford goal was offside.
He did.
“Yes, I just looked and it is offside, yes,” Arteta said.
“It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one. You have to apply certain principles in defending but that depends on you following…[the rules]”
“If we apply what the referee told us every single week, before the game, that blockers, if you are offside, it will be offside. It’s offside.”
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Trossard said, “It’s nice to have the goal as it gets me going but after that it’s disappointing they got the equaliser.
“There’s a great atmosphere in the team. We’ve to keep that momentum going even when results don’t go your way.”
The result means that Manchester City have the opportunity to cut Arsenal’s lead to three points with a win over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Sunday.
If Manchester City win that game and the midweek fixture against Arsenal, they will go top on goal difference, although Arsenal have played one game less.
Brentford have now gone 10 games unbeaten in the league and are dreaming of qualifying for the Europa League, while Arsenal are certainly wobbling after their loss to Everton last week and the FA Cup defeat before that.