Arsenal's slim title hopes fade as Brentford hit back

Arsenal’s wafer-thin hopes of contesting for the Premier League title were dealt another seismic blow following a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Emirates.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Just days after their stunning 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s men were brought crashing back down to Earth with a draw that puts them 10 points adrift of Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Thomas Partey opened the scoring for Arsenal after 61 minutes but Brentford responded through Yoane Wissa 13 minutes later.

The draw means Liverpool will extend their lead to 13 points if they beat West Ham at Anfield today. Liverpool could even be crowned champions as early as next weekend if Arsenal lose their next league fixture at Ipswich, and Arne Slot’s side see off West Ham and then Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Easter Sunday.

Arteta, who made five changes but elected to retain set-piece hero Declan Rice from the side that ran riot against Madrid, was clearly animated on the touchline, shouting “let’s go” in a bid to lift his players following a tepid first 20 minutes which felt like a testimonial.

And it was the visitors who created the first real chance of the game when Bryan Mbeumo played through Kristoffer Ajer but David Raya was equal to it.