Three things we learned from Arsenal draw as Eberechi Eze wastes golden opportunity

Mikel Arteta has spoken glowingly about Brentford on and off the pitch this week and they reiterated here exactly why.

Arsenal endured an extremely frustrating evening at the Gtech Community Stadium, where they finished second for much of the 1-1 draw.

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Noni Madueke put the Gunners ahead with a fine header, but Lewis Keane-Potter earned Brentford a point, the least they deserved.

The title race is still in Arsenal’s hands, but it doesn’t seem like the momentum is there. They sniffed out Manchester City and that doesn’t often end well.

Arsenal fail to respond to Man City again

A lead at the top of the Premier League table that could have been nine points on Sunday night was reduced to three on Wednesday.

City had come within touching distance and the pressure was well and truly on Arsenal to respond.

Before this victory, they had lost points in the last three times their match had been played after City’s. Make it four.

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Opportunities were missed and Arsenal now found themselves firmly engaged in a dogfight.

Given the need to win here and reassert their control of the title race, it was a terrible first half. Arsenal had only one shot, a blocked header from Gabriel.

The Gunners were better just after the break and took the lead through a brilliant header from Madueke, but went down soon after.

Lewis-Potter missed a big chance to equalize, but then took a second. Gabriel Martinelli should have won it in stoppage time, but he took too long to release a stifled shot.

Four points with a trip to the Etihad Stadium later in the season doesn’t do much.

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Two key absences felt

This is a strong Arsenal team and with the options Arteta has, injuries cannot be used as an excuse this season.

However, two absences were very noticeable here when Arteta turned to those on the bench.

Mikel Merino underwent surgery this week on a foot injury that will keep him out for most of the season, while Kai Havertz will be out for at least two weeks with a muscle problem.

These are two players Arteta would almost certainly have started here when Arsenal needed a winner.

They can make those late runs into the box, provide a link between midfield and attack and contribute to big goals.

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Instead, Arteta opted not to even bring in Gabriel Jesus, even with his level and Viktor Gyokeres struggling. He must find solutions without two of his loyal lieutenants.

Eze wastes a golden opportunity

For the first time since mid-December, Eberechi Eze was given the chance to start in the Premier League.

Since that game against Wolves, he has come off the bench five times and been an unused substitute on four occasions.

Here he started as a No.10 with Kai Havertz injured and Martin Odegaard not yet fully fit. It was a golden opportunity to take ownership of this match and lead Arsenal to three valuable points.

However, Eze failed to take it in a hugely disappointing performance. He had 17 touches in the first half and completed just nine passes, the second fewest of any Arsenal player.

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It was no surprise when he failed to emerge in the second half, with Arteta replacing him with Odegaard at the back.

Now the Arsenal captain is back, and after that ineffective display, Eze may have to wait a long time for his next Premier League start.