Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says his side lacked composure and discipline as the Gunners missed out on a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League after overtaking the lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Noni Maduke put the visitors ahead in the 61st minute, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalize after 10 minutes with a long throw before Brentford threatened a late winner and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was denied one-on-one in added time.

“It’s really difficult to dominate the game for a long time because Brentford are really good,” Arteta said after dropping points for the fourth time in six league matches.

“When the ball is in or around the byline, in the channel or when you put the ball out for a throw, it’s like a casino.

“Anything can happen and something can go really bad. You have to navigate that and, after the first 15 minutes, we started to dominate the game.”

Arsenal have success!

Noni Maduke with real quality header 🎯@tntsports And @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Kpq0IWRm6X

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

How Brentford have calculated set pieces

Brentford’s success from set-pieces this season is somewhat surprising given that manager Keith Andrews was their set-piece coach under his predecessor, Thomas Frank.

Former Republic of Ireland under-21 assistant coach Stephen Rice, who became the Bees’ new set-piece specialist in August, will have been thrilled to see Sepp van den Berg throw over Sepp van den Berg to score for the seventh-placed side, who are firmly in contention for European qualification.

“We started the second half really well for the first 20 or 25 minutes,” Arteta said, crediting Brentford. “We scored and, from there, we lacked more composure to maintain the level better, play in the right areas and be more disciplined.”

With a trip to the Etihad Stadium on the horizon in April, Arsenal’s advantage over second-placed Manchester City is now four points.

Brentford is level!

A trademark long throw by Kean Lewis-Potter 🎯 ends@tntsports And @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h1aqtgIh2g

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Why did Arsenal substitute Aberechi Ize vs Brentford?

England forward Aberechy Eise was replaced at half-time by Martin Odegaard on his return from injury.

“We needed a different profile, especially with the way Brentford were pushing,” said Arteta, discussing his decision to switch out the player he signed from Crystal Palace in August for an initial £60million.

“We had a really good chance at the end with a one-v-one for Martinelli, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Arteta claimed his view on the title race had not changed in recent weeks. “You have to do your best in every game and have the luck you need in every game to win the three points,” added the Spaniard.

You can view Premier League match statistics here.

David Raya pulled off an incredible save to deny Brentford the opener 😲@tntsports And @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Brentford confirm starting squad against Arsenal

Brentford made one change from their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday, bringing on Yehor Yarmolyuk for Jordan Henderson in midfield.

Forward Kevin Shead was suspended and Reece Nelson was ineligible to play against his parent club, so Luca Bente replaced the winger on the bench.

Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antony Milambo and Josh DeSilva all had long-term injuries.

Brentford Starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Christopher Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dengo Ouattara, Yehor Yarmolyuk, Matthias Jensen, Vitaly Gennelt, Kean Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago

Brentford substitute: Håkon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikael Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furrow, Luca Bent

Arsenal confirm starting squad against Brentford

Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Odegaard returned to the bench for Arsenal after injuries, missing last week’s home wins against Chelsea and Sunderland.

Centre-back William Saliba was not involved as the hosts made four changes from Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Black Cats.

Cristian Mosquera replaced Saliba and Piero Hincapie came on for full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In attack, Eze and Victor Gyokares replaced Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Midfielder or forward Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgery and winger Max Domin was out with an ankle problem.

Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurien Timber, Cristian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhas, Piro Hincapie, Aberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Maduke, Victor Gyokares, Leandro Trossard

Arsenal replacement: Capa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bucayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Ricardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelley

Brentford vs Arsenal Stats

• A 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in Brentford’s previous home league game ended a seven-match unbeaten run at the GTech Stadium.
• Since the start of last season, they have only lost two consecutive home league games, the first being a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and then Arsenal.
• In their first game in the competition in August 2021, their first ever Premier League win came against Arsenal.
• Since then, they are winless in their last nine against the Gunners (D3 L6).
• One of their last 11 home London derbies in the Premier League has resulted in a win (D7 L4), going seven without a win since a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
• Igor Thiago has scored nine goals in his last 11 Premier League home games, picking up four braces along the way. Only Erling Haaland (5) has scored multiple goals in more different home matches this season
• It was Brentford’s fourth Premier League game on Thursday – they lost 2-0 at Tottenham in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in May 2025 and drew 0-0 with Spurs last month.
• Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 678 Premier League London derbies as a manager.
• Overall, only Arsene Wenger (106 from 194 games) and Jose Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard.
• Arsenal have lost one of their last 24 Premier League London derbies (W17 D6).
• Since the start of 2022/23, they have lost one of their 21 away games against London sides (W14 D6).
• While Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (W9 D4), they are without a win in any of their last four on Thursdays (D2 L2).
• Arteta’s side had won their previous three trips to Brentford by an aggregate score of 7-1.

What’s next for these teams? Brentford, Arsenal fixtures

Brentford visit non-league Macclesfield The FA Cup Monday’s fourth round (19:30 GMT), a day after Arsenal host third-tier strugglers Wigan Athletic (16:30) at the same stage of the competition.

Arsenal are next League Action down to Wolves on Wednesday (20:00). Brentford host Brighton on February 21 (15:00).