Just days before their crucial showdown against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, Arsenal failed to maintain momentum and drew 1-1 with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, in a match marked by Mikel Arteta's rotations and a surprising goal from Yoane Wissa.

The London side, who had thrashed the Spanish giants 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, couldn’t replicate that success in the Premier League, where their title hopes now appear to be fading. At the start of this matchday, they trailed Liverpool by eleven points.

Rotations and fatigue: Arsenal with their sights set on the Bernabéu

With their eyes on the second leg against Real Madrid, Arteta opted to rest several of his key players. The starting lineup did not include crucial names like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Lewis Skelly, or Jurrien Timber, all expected to return for Wednesday’s clash. Still, players like Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and David Raya were in from the start.

Arsenal’s goal came from a lightning-fast counterattack initiated by goalkeeper Raya, who quickly played the ball to Rice. The midfielder sprinted the length of the pitch before assisting Thomas Partey, who finished calmly to make it 1-0 in the 60th minute. The entire move took just thirteen seconds.

However, when the game seemed to be heading Arsenal’s way, Brentford capitalized on their only real opportunity. In the 74th minute, Wissa received the ball inside the box and spun to score past Raya, leveling the match. It was the visitors’ only shot on target.

Arsenal, who have now won just two of their last seven league matches, finished the game with ten men after Jorginho went off injured, with no substitutions remaining. Despite pushing hard until the end, they couldn’t find a winner.

Now, Arteta's team turns their full attention to the biggest challenge ahead: defending their three-goal lead at the Bernabéu and securing a spot in the Champions League semi-finals. The draw against Brentford serves as a clear warning—any lapse in focus could prove costly.