Arsenal 1–1 Brentford Player Ratings: Yoane Wissa’s Equaliser Stings Arsenal as They Give Up a Lead Yet Again

Arsenal faltered in the league yet again as a rotated side was held 1-1 by Brentford at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were stale in the first half, as Thomas Partey gave them the lead in the second half on a fast break. The lead barely lasted for 13 minutes as Yoane Wissa equalised for the visitors. The game ended in a draw despite a plate push for the winner from the hosts. This allows Liverpool to move one step closer to the title.

Arsenal came into this clash flying after the victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League. That monumental result had them on the verge of a Champions League semi-final, and the league fixture became secondary to Mikel Arteta. With Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice withdrawn as a precaution in that game, he opted to rotate against Brentford. A couple of second-string players got a start on the evening against London rivals.

Thomas Frank’s men had only one league win in five games as they lagged behind their rivals in the race for the European spots. However, only six points separated 12th to 8th, and they needed a strong finish to have a chance of getting a berth. Thomas Frank named his best side, as they had no injury and suspension worries.

The game had a scrappy start as both sides brought their physicality to the pitch. After slogging it out, they started playing freely, and Arsenal had the first attempt of the game as Martinelli forced a save from Mark Flekken from the left side of the six-yard box after he was slipped in. Brentford, too, started playing comfortably as they switched play with some lovely cross-field passes.

Arsenal thought they took the lead when Kieran Tierney headed in a sumptuous cross from Ethan Nwaneri. But the Scottish international was denied his last hurrah for the Gunners as the newly inaugurated semi-automated offside system caught him in an offside position as he came back to head the ball.

The first half ended goalless as Flekken denied Leandro Trossard from outside the box. The Gunners were looking bland in attack and needed some inspiration from the bench, perhaps to crack the tough Bees.

The hosts showed renewed urgency in the second half to score. They broke on a quick counter, and Declan Rice ran the length of the pitch before finding Thomas Partey, who was marauding on his right. The makeshift right back powered home a brilliant opener.

Arsenal then introduced some heavy hitters off the bench to close out the game. Brentford responded with some substitutes, too, and it paid off for them in the final quarter of the game.

Michael Kayode, the January signing, was slipped in behind by Bryan Mbeumo, and he looped in a delicious delivery towards the back stick. Nathan Collins got the better of William Saliba and nodded it in for Yoane Wissa. The striker spun and got his shot away beyond Raya’s reach to level the score.

The Gunners then had a great chance, as Flekken made a mess of a simple pass. Bukayo Saka rounded the keeper but was denied by a charging Kayode, who put a crucial foot in as Saka was about to pull the trigger.

Despite a late siege by the Gunners, the Bees managed to hold the fort, leading to another famous draw at the Emirates. The game struck one more blow to Arsenal’s fading title hopes.

The Gunners slip up for the second straight league game by giving up the lead. They will be wary of not repeating these mistakes when they visit Real Madrid midweek. The Bees would appreciate this point and would look to end the season on a high as they take on Brighton next week.

Here are the Arsenal vs Brentford Player Ratings.

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK – David Raya – 6/10

A fine save to deny Ajer midway through the first half. Involved in a lot of ball playing, as usual. Could do nothing to deny Wissa from close range.

RB – Thomas Partey – 8/10

Deployed at right back as Timber was rested. He was a regular threat at set pieces and nearly nodded a teammate in from the back post. Scored on the break to open the scoring.

CB – William Saliba – 6/10

Kept a close eye on Wissa and was proactive on the halfway line as he stopped Brentford breaking quickly. His aerial weakness was exposed again as Collins bettered him for the equaliser.

CB – Jakub Kiwior – 6.5/10

Did his job alongside Saliba brilliantly. But his influence waned in the latter parts of the game as Arsenal looked rattled.

LB – Kieran Tierney – 6/10

Scored a fantastic header in what might be his final start for the club. But it was denied by a historic piece of technology. He was fine defensively against Mbeumo.

CM – Jorginho – 6.5/10

Dictated the tempo in the middle of the pitch as he brought a sense of calm to the proceedings. He failed to provide a creative spark, though.

CM – Declan Rice – 7.5/10

Played an aggressive role as he attacked the box a lot and tried to force the opener. Made a dashing run and supplied the assist for Partey.

CM – Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6.5/10

Played on the right side of a midfield three to cut onto his left foot and create some chances. Displayed his quality with some lovely touches.

RW – Ethan Nwaneri – 6.5/10

Dropped deep and tried to create some openings for Arsenal, as they were a bit short of creativity in the middle. Supplied a great assist, but it was ruled out for offside.

ST – Leandro Trossard – 6.5/10

Had to keep working and shifting between multiple positions to open the scoring. Drew a fine save from Flekken at the end of the first half with a shot from outside the box.

LW – Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10

Had the first sight of a goal in the game as he shot against Flekken from a tight angle. He was running throughout the game and worked hard to double the Gunners’ lead.

Sub – Martin Odegaard- 6/10

Sub – Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6/10

Sub – Bukayo Saka – 6/10

Had a great chance to put the ball into the empty net but was denied by Kayode.

Sub – Jurrien Timber – 6/10

Sub – Mikel Merino – 6/10

Manager – Mikel Arteta – 6/10

A makeshift side struggled to create some quality chances in the first half. It looked like a goal from Partey was enough, but his side had a defensive lapse, allowing Brentford into the game. He would be keen to avoid these moments in the game against Madrid.

Also Read: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid Player Ratings: The Gunners delivered a masterclass as they thrashed Real Madrid in the 1st leg

Brentford Player Ratings

GK – Mark Flekken – 6/10

A decent save early on to deny Martinelli from a tight angle. Was beaten by a powerful shot from Partey on the break.

RB – Kristoffer Ajer – 6.5/10

Made a lung-bursting run and almost scored the opener but was denied by Raya. A fantastic sliding challenge to block a Martinelli shot.

CB – Nathan Collins – 7/10

Made a lot of blocks and interceptions as Brentford put a blockade in the box. Had to adjust to marking multiple forwards as Arsenal tried to catch them off guard. Assisted Wissa with a fine header.

CB – Sepp van den Berg – 7/10

A solid presence in the box and an excellent passer of the ball, as he found a lot of passing lanes with his impressive vision. Stood like a rock amidst the Gunners’ late onslaught.

LB – Keane Lewis-Potter – 6/10

He was a little slow to react as Arsenal often tripled up on his side. Allowed Nwaneri to get past him too easily at times.

DM – Christian Norgaard – 5/10

Hacked down a rampant Martinelli and got away with a yellow card. There were protests for a harsher punishment, but it was turned away. He was very restless on the pitch as his passes were widely off the mark.

DM – Vitaly Janelt – 6.5/10

Had an impactful presence in the first half with some powerful tackles and driving runs. Failed to replicate those heroics in the second half as they were caught on the break.

RW – Bryan Mbeumo – 7/10

Played a measured pass to release Ajer into the box early on. Put in a lot of hard work to help his defence and progress the ball up the pitch.

CAM – Mikkel Damsgaard – 6/10

Enjoyed a rare off-game this season as he was well handled by Arsenal’s midfield. His passing bag was missing, as there were a few erratic passes.

LW – Kevin Schade – 6/10

Sneaked into the box early but failed to make a connection as Brentford tried to take the lead. It was barely visible later on in the game.

ST – Yoane Wissa – 7.5/10

Had a fantastic game with his work off the ball and memorably capped it off with a well-taken goal. Collected a pass on the turn and blasted it past Raya to level the game.

Sub – Michael Kayode – 7/10

A terrific cross that led to the equaliser and a great recovery challenge to deny Saka from pulling the trigger.

Sub – Yegor Yarmolyuk- 6/10

Sub – Mathias Jensen – 6/10

Sub – Gustavo Gomes – 6/10

Manager – Thomas Frank – 6/10

A game where there was a lot of controlled chaos that he appreciated. They did not give an inch or take an inch when it was 0-0. But responded very quickly as Arsenal took the lead. A perfect result for his side.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Thomas Partey

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