Arteta reveals how ‘on line casino’ led to ‘actually dangerous’ second and explains Eze substitution

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says his aspect lacked composure and self-discipline because the Gunners missed out on a six-point lead on the high of the Premier League by spurning a lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Noni Madueke headed the guests in entrance within the 61st minute, just for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalise 10 minutes later following an extended throw earlier than Brentford threatened a late winner and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was denied in a one-on-one throughout added time.

“It’s actually troublesome to dominate the sport for lengthy durations as a result of Brentford are actually good,” Arteta stated after his aspect dropped factors for the fourth time in six league matches.

“When the ball is in or across the byline, within the channel or once you put the ball out for a throw-in, it is sort of a on line casino.

“Something can occur and one thing actually dangerous can occur. You must navigate that and, after the primary quarter-hour, we began to dominate.”

Arsenal have the breakthrough!

Noni Madueke with a header of actual high quality 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Kpq0IWRm6X

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

How Brentford have made set items depend

Brentford’s success from set-pieces this season is little shock provided that rookie boss Keith Andrews was their set-piece coach below his predecessor as supervisor, Thomas Frank.

Former Republic of Eire Beneath-21s assistant coach Stephen Rice, who grew to become the Bees’ new set-piece skilled in August, could have been thrilled to see Sepp van den Berg flick on a throw for Lewis-Potter to attain for the seventh-placed aspect, who’re firmly in rivalry for European qualification.

“We began the second half rather well for the primary 20 or 25 minutes,” stated Arteta, crediting Brentford. “We scored and, from there, we lacked extra composure to take care of the extent higher, play in the best areas and keep extra disciplined. “

Arsenal’s benefit over second-placed Manchester Metropolis is now 4 factors, with a visit to the Etihad Stadium on the horizon in April.

Brentford are stage!

A trademark lengthy throw is completed off by Keane Lewis-Potter 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h1aqtgIh2g

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Why did Arsenal substitute Eberechi Eze vs Brentford?

England ahead Eberechi Eze was changed by Martin Odegaard at half-time on the midfielder’s return from damage.

“We wanted a special sort of profile, particularly with the way wherein Brentford have been urgent,” stated Arteta, discussing his choice to modify out the participant he signed from Crystal Palace in August for an preliminary £60 million.

“We had a very good probability on the finish with a one-v-one for Martinelli, nevertheless it wasn’t meant to be.”

Arteta claimed his view on the title race has not modified over current weeks. “You must be at your finest in each sport and have the luck you want in each sport to overcome the three factors,” added the Spaniard.

You possibly can see stats from the Premier League match right here.

David Raya with an unimaginable save to disclaim Brentford an opener 😲@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Brentford confirmed beginning crew vs Arsenal

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

Ahead Kevin Schade was suspended and Reiss Nelson was ineligible to play in opposition to his dad or mum membership, so Luka Bentt changed the winger on the bench.

Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva had long-term accidents.

Brentford beginning XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dango Ouattara, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago

Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furo, Luka Bentt

Arsenal confirmed beginning crew vs Brentford

Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Odegaard returned on the bench for Arsenal following accidents, having missed the house wins over Chelsea and Sunderland final week.

Centre-back William Saliba was not concerned in any respect because the hosts made 4 adjustments from their 3-0 victory in opposition to the Black Cats on Saturday.

Cristhian Mosquera changed Saliba and Piero Hincapie got here in for full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In assault, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres supplanted Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Midfielder or ahead Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgical procedure and winger Max Dowman was out with an ankle problem.

Arsenal beginning XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard

Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly

Brentford vs Arsenal stats

• Brentford’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest of their earlier dwelling league sport had ended a seven-match unbeaten run on the Gtech Stadium
• For the reason that begin of final season, they’ve solely misplaced consecutive dwelling league video games twice, the primary time of which was a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest adopted by a loss to Arsenal
• Their first-ever Premier League victory got here in opposition to Arsenal, of their first sport within the competitors in August 2021
• Since then, they’re winless of their final 9 in opposition to the Gunners (D3 L6)
• One in every of their final 11 dwelling London derbies within the Premier League has resulted in victory (D7 L4), going winless in seven since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024
• Igor Thiago has 9 targets in his final 11 Premier League dwelling video games, netting 4 braces alongside the way in which. Solely Erling Haaland (5) has scored a number of targets in additional totally different dwelling matches this season
• This was Brentford’s fourth Premier League sport ever on a Thursday – they misplaced 2-0 at Tottenham in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in Might 2025 and drew 0-0 with Spurs final month
• Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has gained 41 of his 678 Premier League London derbies as supervisor
• General, solely Arsene Wenger (106 from 194 video games) and Jose Mourinho (42/70) have gained extra London derbies than the Spaniard
• One in every of Arsenal’s final 24 Premier League London derbies has resulted in defeat (W17 D6)
• For the reason that begin of 2022/23, they’ve misplaced certainly one of their 21 away video games in opposition to London sides (W14 D6)
• Though Arsenal are unbeaten of their final 13 Premier League video games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays (W9 D4), they’re with out a win (D2 L2) in any of their final 4 on Thursdays
• Arteta’s aspect had gained their earlier three journeys to Brentford by an mixture rating of 7-1

What’s subsequent for these groups? Brentford, Arsenal fixtures

Brentford go to non-league Macclesfield within the FA Cup fourth spherical on Monday (19:30 GMT), a day after Arsenal host third-tier strugglers Wigan Athletic (16:30) on the identical stage of the competitors.

Arsenal are subsequent in league motion away to backside aspect Wolves on Wednesday (20:00). Brentford host Brighton & Hove Albion on February 21 (15:00).