Arsenal should take the point and run after referee John Brooks' Brentford blunder/

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If this was a sign of things to come, Arsenal are going to go to hell and back over the course of the next 12 matches.

The gap between them and Manchester City has now been slashed to four points and Pep Guardiola's hungry challengers are beginning to smell blood.

Since the Gunners wiped the floor with Sunderland last weekend, City have executed a remarkable late fightback at Anfield and stuck three goals past Fulham to crank up the temperature on their rivals.

And on the basis of last night's evidence, their advances are beginning to get under Arsenal's skin. Mikel Arteta's men never truly got going in west London despite Noni Madueke's headed opener.

Keane Lewis-Potter quickly equalised for the hosts and in the end, the Premier League leaders were incredibly fortunate to escape the Gtech with a point.

Several late Brentford chances went begging and Cristhian Mosquera produced a stunning last-ditch intervention to dispossess Igor Thiago before the 17-goal frontman blasted a separate chance over the crossbar.

Come full-time, a draw actually felt like a good result for Arsenal - even though Gabriel Martinelli could also have won it at the death - as Gabriel Magalhaes could also have been sent off.

Referee John Brooks made a rod for his own back with a series of early bookings then failed to give the easiest of the lost as Gabriel scythed down Dango Ouattara.

Arsenal, who were undone by a set play, were effectively beaten at their own game as Keith Andrews' robust and impressive Brentford rose to the occasion to provide another reminder of their quality.

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The visitors never looked comfortable and their start was undoubtedly tinged with nervousness. Inside the opening three minutes, Gabriel misplaced a routine pass back to David Raya which scuttled behind for a corner.

The big Brazilian central defender - playing alongside Mosquera in the absence of the sick William Saliba - was then booked for clattering compatriot Thiago.

It was starting to look like a long night for the Gunners when Raya then miscontrolled inside his own six-yard box before rushing a throw. The Spaniard swiftly redeemed himself though following a stunning close-range save to keep out Thiago's powerful header.

Up the other end, Arsenal were struggling to crack Brentford's resolute and organised defence. They were desperately short of creativity and you couldn't help but feel the scene was set for Eberechi Eze, making his first Premier League start since December 13, to take centre-stage.

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One of the key factors behind Arsenal's decision to snatch Crystal Palace's FA Cup-winning hero from the clutches of arch-rivals Tottenham was his ability to pick holes in deep blocks.

But Eze badly struggled to affect play and Arteta was not willing to waste time, replacing him with returning captain Martin Odegaard at the break.

The change immediately sprung Arsenal into life and they broke the deadlock on 61 minutes when Madueke planted a brilliant header inside Caoimhin Kelleher's post.

Piero Hincapie sent in a looping cross and the England international timed his jump to perfection before guiding home.

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Sub Bukayo Saka was being readied prior to the goal - presumably to replace Madueke - but was then told to sit down, although he was summoned shortly after, however, as the Bees forced themselves level through Lewis-Potter.

The warning signs were certainly there given the ex-Hull City forward had narrowly headed wide prior to netting the equaliser.

Michael Kayode launched a long throw into the box, Sepp van den Berg applied a crucial flick and the 24-year-old winger did the rest.

After Gabriel somehow avoided red, Arsenal dug deep to survive a late barrage and Kelleher also made a fine stop to deny Martinelli a dramatic stoppage-time winner.

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