Arsenal's Premier League title bid hit by 1-1 draw at Brentford

The Gunners' lead over Manchester City at the top of the table has been cut from nine points to four in less than a week.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut from nine points to just four after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford. The result means Mikel Arteta's side have now dropped points in two of their last three league games, allowing Manchester City to close the gap at the top.

Why it matters

Arsenal had been in commanding position at the top of the table, but this result and their recent slip-ups have allowed Manchester City to reignite the title race. The Gunners will need to regain their form quickly to hold off the defending champions and secure their first league title since 2004.

The details

Arsenal took the lead through a first-half goal from Leandro Trossard, but Brentford equalized in the second half through a strike from Ethan Pinnock. The draw means Arsenal have now dropped points in two of their last three league games, allowing Manchester City to close the gap at the top of the table.

  • The match was played on February 11, 2026.
  • Arsenal had been leading Manchester City by nine points prior to this match.

The players

Mikel Arteta

The manager of Arsenal Football Club.

Leandro Trossard

The Belgian forward who scored Arsenal's goal in the match.

Ethan Pinnock

The Brentford defender who scored the equalizing goal for the home team.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed not to have won the game, but Brentford made it very difficult for us.”

— Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager (myplainview.com)

What’s next

Arsenal will look to bounce back in their next Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on February 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This result has tightened the Premier League title race, with Manchester City now just four points behind Arsenal. The Gunners will need to regain their form quickly to hold off the defending champions and secure their first league title in over 20 years.