Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that fate played a role in his team’s inability to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brentford. The Gunners traveled to the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday night seeking to restore a six-point cushion over Manchester City, but instead, they left with a solitary point that keeps them just four points clear. Despite a second-half breakthrough from Noni Madueke, the North London side failed to secure the victory, allowing their title rivals to remain within striking distance.
The contest remained scoreless until the hour mark when Madueke soared to meet a Piero Hincapié cross, nodding the visitors into a deserved lead. However, the advantage proved short-lived as Keane Lewis-Potter capitalized on a signature Brentford long throw to level the scores just ten minutes later. In a frantic conclusion to the match, Gabriel Martinelli broke through for a decisive one-on-one opportunity, but goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher produced a vital save to deny the Brazilian and preserve the deadlock.
“We had a massive chance in the end, one-v-one for Gabriel Martinelli but it wasn’t meant to be,” Arteta said during his post-match reflections. He emphasized that winning the league requires clinical precision in both penalty areas, particularly in the hostile environments typical of away fixtures in the English top flight.
Arteta acknowledged the mounting pressure of the title race, noting that consistency and a touch of fortune are essential for any team aiming to maintain a lead during the final months of the season. He urged his players to remain focused on their own performances rather than the results of those chasing them.
“We have to do our job and come to all these places like the rest of the teams. You have to be at your best every game and have the luck as well you need in games to conquer the three points each week,” he added.
The result leaves Arsenal on 57 points after 26 matches, while Manchester City sits closely behind with 53. As the calendar turns toward March, the Gunners face a demanding schedule that will test their resolve and depth. Arteta remains confident in his squad’s ability to rebound, though he signaled that the team must rediscover the “ruthless” edge that defined their earlier winning streak if they hope to secure the trophy in May.
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