Arsenal Draw with Brentford Boosts Manchester City's Title Aspirations

Arsenal failed to increase their Premier League advantage to six points after Brentford held them to a 1-1 draw on Thursday, keeping Manchester City in the title contention.

Noni Madueke gave the league leaders the lead with a header just after the hour, yet Brentford deserved their share and equalised via Keane Lewis-Potter.

The Gunners now hold a four-point lead at the summit as they chase their first title in over two decades.

Mikel Artetas team still faces a trip to second-placed City among the final 12 fixtures.

The draw aids Brentfords push for a first-ever European spot, leaving them in seventh place.

Keith Andrews outfit has lost only twice on home soil this term, and Arsenal were lucky to avoid what would have been just their fourth defeat in the league.

David Raya denied his old team with an excellent stop to tip away Igor Thiagos firm header, the top opportunity of the opening half.

Without William Saliba and Kai Havertz due to sickness and injury, Arsenal welcomed back Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka from the substitutes bench.

Arteta introduced Odegaard at the break to shift momentum, and the away side began the second half with greater purpose.

The breakthrough came as Madueke leaped to nod Piero Hincapies delivery across goal to Caoimhin Kelleher.

That said, the visitors opted to protect their edge instead of pressing forward against Brentford.

Thiago tested Raya again as the hosts gained assurance.

Lewis-Potter missed a golden chance to tie it up sooner, heading astray from an unmarked position off a corner.

Arsenals set-piece dominance has been key to their title challenge.

However, they found it hard to handle Brentfords threat from such situations.

The leveller stemmed from Michael Kayodes lengthy throw into the area, with Sepp van den Berg flicking on for Lewis-Potter to outmuscle Odegaard and score with his head.

Brentford looked the more probable victors in the closing stages.

Cristhian Mosquera executed a crucial block to thwart Thiago.

The forward nearly netted his 18th league goal of the campaign in added time, but fired narrowly high.

Arsenal threatened a late winner too, as Kelleher dashed out to block Gabriel Martinellis effort.