Substitute Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for Arsenal but the Premier League leaders missed the chance to move eight points clear at the top as Ivan Toney earned resilient Brentford a deserved point.
After a goalless first half in which the Bees hit the woodwork through Toney, the Gunners took the lead when Trossard struck at the back post four minutes after coming off the bench.
But Brentford got the reward their excellent away performance at Emirates Stadium deserved when Toney nodded in Christian Norgaard’s cross from close range.
There was a lengthy check by the video assistant referee for a possible offside in the build-up but the goal was eventually confirmed.
Arsenal raised the tempo in the closing stages – including seven minutes of added time – as they searched for a winner but Brentford completed an excellent defensive display by holding firm for a point.
Arsenal face Manchester City – six points behind before their game on Sunday afternoon against Aston Villa – in a top-of-the table showdown on 15 February.
Brentford, meanwhile, are eighth and just five points off fifth place.
Gunners title hopes dented by resilient Bees
Arsenal have been formidable at home this season, winning eight and drawing one of their nine games at the Emirates before the visit of Brentford.
They are one of two sides, along with Newcastle United, in the top flight who are unbeaten on their own turf – but that record was given a stern test against in-form Brentford, who had won four of their previous five league games.
Mikel Arteta’s side had plenty of possession but found little joy in unlocking a disciplined Bees defence until their patience was rewarded when Trossard struck midway through the second half.
The Belgium forward has looked a fine addition since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion for £27m last month and he was close to adding a second soon after with a shot from distance.
But a one-goal lead rarely looked like it would be enough against a Brentford side who had been sharp in attack, and so it proved when Toney equalised.
The draw for Arsenal follows successive defeats in the league and FA Cup to Everton and Manchester City respectively.
How they respond to this relative stumble – not least in Wednesday’s home game against City – will be key in determining whether they can win a first Premier League title since 2003-04.
In-form Bees eyeing Europe
After finishing a commendable 13th in their first Premier League season last term, Brentford are having another fine campaign and are pushing for a European place.
Thomas Franks’ side had not conceded a goal in their three league games before the trip to Arsenal and it was clear to see at Emirates why they are such a difficult side to break down.
They kept their shape despite Arsenal enjoying the majority of possession and responded brilliantly to the Gunners taking the lead to become one of only two sides this season to take anything from the Emirates.
Toney’s goal was his 15th of the season – only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more – and with the Bees having an excellent defence allied to his threat, there is every chance they can secure European football next season.
Player of the match
ToneyIvan Toney
Arsenal
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Squad number19Player nameTrossardAverage rating
6.94
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Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
6.72
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Squad number8Player nameØdegaardAverage rating
6.57
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Squad number11Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
6.20
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Squad number34Player nameXhakaAverage rating
6.19
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Squad number5Player nameParteyAverage rating
6.18
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Squad number12Player nameSalibaAverage rating
6.17
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Squad number1Player nameRamsdaleAverage rating
6.16
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Squad number35Player nameZinchenkoAverage rating
6.10
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Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
6.08
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Squad number14Player nameNketiahAverage rating
6.06
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Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhãesAverage rating
6.06
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Squad number21Player nameFábio VieiraAverage rating
4.86
Brentford
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Squad number17Player nameToneyAverage rating
7.05
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Squad number9Player nameSchadeAverage rating
7.03
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Squad number10Player nameDasilva
Average rating6.90
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Squad number11Player nameWissa
Average rating6.80
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Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
Average rating6.65
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Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
Average rating6.61
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Squad number16Player nameMee
Average rating6.59
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Squad number8Player nameJensen
Average rating6.50
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Squad number30Player nameRoerslev
Average rating6.43
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Squad number3Player nameHenry
Average rating6.38
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Squad number5Player namePinnock
Average rating6.35
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Squad number27Player nameJanelt
Average rating6.34
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Squad number1Player nameRaya
Average rating6.30
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Squad number20Player nameAjer
Average rating6.23
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ramsdale
- 4White
- 12Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35Zinchenko
- 8Ødegaard
- 5Partey
- 34XhakaSubstituted forFábio Vieiraat 81′minutes
- 7Saka
- 14Nketiah
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 62′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Tierney
- 15Kiwior
- 16Holding
- 18Tomiyasu
- 19Trossard
- 20Jorginho
- 21Fábio Vieira
- 30Turner
- 85Cozier-Duberry
Brentford
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Raya
- 20Ajer
- 5Pinnock
- 16Mee
- 30Roerslev
- 27JaneltSubstituted forDasilvaat 71′minutes
- 6NørgaardBooked at 90mins
- 8Jensen
- 3Henry
- 19MbeumoSubstituted forWissaat 71′minutes
- 17ToneySubstituted forSchadeat 90+7′minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Hickey
- 9Schade
- 10Dasilva
- 11Wissa
- 13M Jorgensen
- 23Lewis-Potter
- 24Damsgaard
- 26Baptiste
- 34Cox
- Referee:
- Peter Bankes
- Attendance:
- 60,254
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal 1, Brentford 1.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Brentford 1.
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Kevin Schade (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Kevin Schade (Brentford).
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Substitution, Brentford. Kevin Schade replaces Ivan Toney because of an injury.
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Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Christian Nørgaard (Brentford).
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Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Mathias Jensen with a cross.
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Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Thomas Partey.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Ivan Toney (Brentford).
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Foul by Ben White (Arsenal).
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Ivan Toney (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Thomas Partey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ivan Toney (Brentford).
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Foul by Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
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Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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