Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says ‘chaos’ at Brentford could have been worse

Mikel Arteta said he was left praying Arsenal would not suffer a late defeat after his players missed the chance to restore their six-point cushion over Manchester City following a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Arsenal appeared on course to take a crucial victory when Noni Madueke headed home in the 61st minute. However, Brentford bounced back just 10 minutes later after Keane Lewis-Potter struck from Michael Kayode’s long throw.

Cristhian Mosquera stopped Igor Thiago scoring in stoppage time with a fine sliding tackle, before Brentford’s top scorer then blazed over when clean through on David Raya’s goal.

However, Gabriel Martinelli might have won it for Arsenal, only to be denied by Caoimhin Kelleher in a frantic end to the match.

Brentford were a constant threat from both corners and long throws, and Arteta said: “We scored the goal and the game was under total control.

“But against them, that’s not enough because they just need somebody making a foul that is unnecessary, a ball in the channel, they push you, the clearance is not good, a throw-in, and then you have to pray because they are exceptional at what they do.

“The chaos that is in, and around that ball is very, very difficult to defend. We said to the players: ‘If you want to win here, you’re going to have to defend the box with your life’. We didn’t do that on one of the actions, but they deserve credit, too.”

Just four days ago at Liverpool, Pep Guardiola’s City were six minutes away from falling nine points behind their rivals, but they are now within striking range.

And Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons, will still have to visit the Etihad Stadium in April.

Asked if he is concerned the title momentum is shifting towards City, Arteta said: “I