Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford: Declan Rice shines but second-string strikers struggle | OneFootball

More than one eye perhaps on the trip to Madrid as the Bees earned a deserved point

Arsenal geared up for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid by being held to a draw by Brentford.

With Arsenal travelling to Madrid on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta made five changes to his team as he opted to rest the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners had looked on course to claim all three points when Thomas Partey put them ahead just after the hour mark.

Brentford, however, equalised just over 10 minutes after that when Yoane Wissa hooked the ball home from a cross to the back post.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 7

Played his part in the Arsenal goal by claiming a corner and quickly rolling the ball to Declan Rice. A good performance, which included a smart stop to deny Kristoffer Ajer in the first half.

Thomas Partey 8

Forced to play right-back in the absence of Ben White and with Jurrien Timber only fit enough for the bench. Caught the eye and took his goal really well.

William Saliba 8

Oozed composure and class all game. Gave Brentford’s attackers nothing to feed off and drove forward with the ball well.

Jakub Kiwior 7

Looks as though he will be William Saliba’s centre-back partner for the rest of the season. Put in another solid performance.

Kieran Tierney 7

Made his first Premier League start since May 2023. Solid defensively and had a goal ruled out for offside, too.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 6

Handed another rare opportunity to play in midfield. Had the odd nice touch, but struggled to open Brentford up.

Jorginho 7

Typically neat and tidy at the base of midfield. Helped Arsenal dominate possession and control the game. Forced off injured in the final minutes.

Declan Rice 8 | Star player

Created Partey’s goal with a brilliant lung-busting run that basically saw him carry the ball the length of the pitch. Looks back to his best.

Ethan Nwaneri 6

Had a few good runs, especially in the first half, and created the Tierney goal that was ruled out for offside.

Leandro Trossard 6

In for Mikel Merino and asked to lead the line. Drew a good save from Mark Flekken in the first half with a shot from range, but largely quiet.

Gabriel Martinelli 6

A surprise starter given Arsenal travel to Madrid on Wednesday and played the whole 90 minutes. The odd darting run but needed to offer more.

Substitutions

Martin Odegaard (Zinchenko 62’) 6

A pretty quiet cameo from the captain, who was given a rest and named on the bench.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Tierney 62’) 6

Tried to get on the ball and drive Arsenal forward. Will come back into the team on Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka (Nwaneri 63’) 6

Wasted a great chance after Brentford scored when he stole the ball off Flekken. Inches away from scoring a late winner at the end.

Jurrien Timber (Partey 69’) 6

Deemed not fit enough to start but put in a solid shift off the bench.

Mikel Merino (Rice 75’) N/A

Subs not used: Neto, Timber, Henry-Francis, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Sterling