Mikel Arteta gave a pretty apparent answer to the question of which match was more important for him to – today’s against Brentford or Wednesday’s against Real Madrid – by benching key players like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Mikel Merino.Today, the Bees were way too good to refuse the Spaniard’s gift and don’t snatch a point at the Emirates. Truth be told, the Gunners were better today and even took the lead at the hour mark over Thomas Partey, but Brentford quickly bounced back through Yoane Wissa’s equalizer.Arteta eventually subbed in the previously benched trio, but it was too late, as the visitors managed to hold out and salvage a 1-1 draw.Wissa hits the 50 club 🐝41 goals, 9 assists — just the second Brentford player to reach that Premier League milestone after Mbeumo. pic.twitter.com/SAjKuDvmzT— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) April 12, 2025 Given that the crucial UCL clash against Real Madrid was awaiting his team in just four days and since Liverpool were on the verge of winning the Premier League, Mikel Arteta decided to mix things up, leaving Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Mikel Merino on the bench and giving a chance to Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, and Ethan Nwaneri.Although Arsenal pretty much controlled the ball since the beginning of the match, Brentford wasted the first colossal chance halfway through the opening period, as Kristoffer Ajer unexpectedly found himself face-to-face with David Raya, but the Spaniard reacted perfectly.You can never doubt the champion! At least, while De Bruyne is here…A couple of minutes later, the Gunners found the net over Tierney, but the Scot’s goal was disallowed for evident offside.After the break, the party started with Thomas Partey’s 61st-minute opener following a beautiful fastbreak. Raya picked the ball after the Bees’ corner kick, and initiated the counter finding Declan Rice. The scorer of two bangers against Real Madrid timely passed it to the Ghanaian, who finished the attack with a goal in the manner of the greatest strikers!⚽️ GOAL: Partey🏴 Arsenal 1-0 Brentfordpic.twitter.com/eBLiHFa4hH— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) April 12, 2025 ⚽️ GOAL: Yoane Wissa🏴 Arsenal 1-1 Brentfordpic.twitter.com/TdRdi2WUi1— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) April 12, 2025 However, Arsenal’s joy lasted for only 13 minutes, as Yoane Wissa used the melee in the Gunners’ box to skilfully put the ball behind Raya’s back with a – let’s say – “semi-overhead kick.”Even before Brentford’s leveller, Arteta subbed in both Odegaard and Saka, and the latter had a massive chance minutes after Wissa’s goal but was hesitant in a goal-scoring situation, which Michael Kayode used to intervene.In the last quarter of an hour, Merino was on the pitch as well but it was too late for the Gunners. If Liverpool beat West Ham tomorrow (16.00), they’ll increase the gap in front of Arsenal to 13 points and will be extremely close to the title.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 32SaturdayMan. City – Crystal Palace 5-2 (2-2)/De Bruyne 33, Marmoush 36, Kovacic 47, McAtee 56, O’Reilly 79 – Eze 8, Richards 21/Brighton – Leicester 2-2 (1-1)/Joao Pedro 31 pen, 55 pen – Mavididi 38, Okoli 74/Nott.Forest – Everton 0-1 (0-0)/Doucoure 90+4/Southampton – Aston Villa 0-3 (0-0)/Watkins 73, Malen 79, McGinn 90+4/Arsenal – Brentford 1-1 (0-0)/Partey 61 – Wissa 74/Sunday16:00: (1.32) Chelsea (5.60) Ipswich (8.50)16:00: (1.35) Liverpool (5.00) West Ham (9.00)16:00: (2.35) Wolverhampton (3.50) Tottenham (2.95)18:30: (1.75) Newcastle (3.60) Man.Utd. (4.90)Monday22:00: (2.25) Bournemouth (3.40) Fulham (3.20)***odds are subject to change***
