Brentford 1-1 Arsenal: Keane Lewis-Potter cancels out Noni Madueke's opener 

Honours even in west London after Madueke's header cancelled out by Lewis-Potter 

It was honours even in this compelling, hard-fought clash in west London after Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter levelled Noni Madueke’s opener for Arsenal.

While the Gunners looked to be maintaining their six point lead over Manchester City after Madueke’s headed opener just after the hour mark, Keith Andrews Bees finished the stronger, fully deserving their point after Lewis-Potter’s equaliser following a Michael Kayaode throw-in ten minutes later.

In front of a sellout crowd of 17,224 nestled between the A45 flyover and the River Thames at Kew Bridge, Arsenal could have won it at the death but Bees keeper Kelleher saved bravely from substitute Gabi Martinelli.

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Arsenal were without William Saliba for this crucial London derby, with the French defender missing from the squad. Taking his place in the backline was Cristhian Mosquera. The good news for the Gunners was the return of Bukayo Saka and club captain Martin Odegaard who both started on the substitutes bench despite recent injury issues.

Forward Leandro Trossard overcame a niggle picked during the 3-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend, to make the starting XI, while Piero Hincapie was preferred over Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.

Eberechi Eze also replaced the injured Kai Havertz in attacking midfield after the German’s injury that is set to keep the forward out for the rest of the month.

Bees boss Keith Andrews made a single change from the team that won at Newcastle last time out, as they recorded their first win at St James’ Park since 1934 at the weekend. Yehor Yarmoliuk stepping into the midfield in place of Jordan Henderson, who dropped to the bench.

The Premier League confirmed a late referee change, appointing John Brooks as the new match official. No reason had been given.

Good to note cheers and applause from the home support as Christian Norgaard's name was announced among the Arsenal subs. Norgaard was of course was a former Brentford captain who made 196 appearances for the Bees before moving from west London to north London last summer

Pleasantries over. Something had to give. Prior to kick-off Arsenal had scored an impressive 15 goals from set-pieces this term, the best in the Premier League. While Brentford had only conceded four from dead ball situations, the lowest in the division.

Right on cue, just as the rain started to fall once again during this infernal, never-ending wet winter, the match kick off, promising to be a fascinating battle.

On nine minutes Gabriel's header from Rice's corner was turned away for another by Sepp van den Berg protecting the far post in front of keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, which came to nothing on the greasy surface.

Gabriel was correctly booked by replacement referee Brooks ten minutes later for scything down the bustling Igor Thiago. Bees captain Matthias Jensen’s free-kick also coming to nothing. It was that sort of start.

Amid the relentless bustle, a chance was finally fashioned. The ball was launched into the box, with impressive Thiago making a perpetual nuisance of himself by troubling the Gunners backline, to force a superb save from visitors keeper, and former Bee, Raya on 22 minutes.

On the half hour mark, Gyokeres tripped Yarmoliuk from behind to also make it into Brooks’ book. Eze could have joined the Gunners striker on a caution moments later for a cheeky tug of Dango Ouattara as the Bees attempted to sweep forward, but the sanction of a free-kick was deemed punishment enough by an increasingly busy Brooks.

As the game opened up, Arsenal began to dominate, albeit against an obdurate Bees backline that resolutely proved equal to the task as the sides went into the break goalless.

With only four shots recorded during the opening 45 minutes, to make the number the second fewest in a Premier League game this season, Arteta brought on Odegaard for Eze at the break, as the visitors sought the all-important opener.

With the tempo growing, Odegaard fired over the bar just before the hour mark, as Arsenal worked space in the box for the captain to shoot, albeit with a drive that was in need of recalibrating.

The Gunners goal was to come through an unlikely source, via the head of Madueke on 61 minutes. The £48.5m buy from the Bees west London neighbours Chelsea last summer meeting Hincapie’s powerful cross, to guide the ball past Kelleher, and into the far corner. The 1,725 travelling Gooners celebrating loudly in their corner of the ground, nestled near the A4 flyover.

However, Andrews’ Bees never know when they are beaten, as the home side swarmed forward after the restart, displaying mental strength asa much as muscular athleticism in putting the visitors backline under great strain.

Arsenal simply could not withstand the pressure.

It was therefore no surprise when the Bees equalised ten minutes later, when Michael Kayode’s dangerous throw-ins finally gained traction in the Gunners box, after his delivery was powered on by Sepp van den Berg - rising far higher than any defender to head the ball to Lewis-Potter, who made no mistake to head past Raya to make it 1-1, as the home support erupted.

Indeed, it was Brentford who finished the stronger, with claims that Gabriel could have been given a second yellow card after tangling with Outtara on 84 minutes. Two minutes later Timber went into the book for a foul on the same player, while moments later Mosquera changed down Thiago to execute a perfect block, just as the Brazil striker was about to pull the trigger, with Raya and the goal at his mercy.

There was still drama to come when Martinelli could have fired home a last-gasp winner, but Kelleher bravely blocked to ensure the spoils were divided.

Just what that means for the title race will not be known until May, but for now City were the only victors on a compelling evening in west London, as Arsenal dropped two points.

As for Andrews praiseworthy Brentford side, a first ever European qualification surely beckons at the end of the season, if they can maintain such intensity and unity.

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