Three things we learned from Arsenal draw as Eberechi Eze wastes golden opportunity | OneFootball

The absences of Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz adds to Arsenal’s frustration as they drop more points in Premier League title race

Mikel Arteta spoke glowingly about Brentford on and off the pitch this week and they provided another reminder here of exactly why.

Noni Madueke put the Gunners in front with a lovely header but Lewis Keane-Potter earned Brentford a point, the very least they deserved.

Arsenal fail to respond to Man City again

A lead at the top of the Premier League table that could have been nine points on Sunday night was reduced to three on Wednesday.

City had closed to within touching distance and the pressure was well and truly on Arsenal to answer back.

Before this win, they had dropped points the last three times their fixture had been played after City's. Make that four.

Opportunities have been missed to pull away and now Arsenal find themselves firmly in a dogfight.

Noni Madueke had put Arsenal in front, but the Gunners failed to hold on

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Considering the need to win here and reassert their control over the title race, it was a dreadful first-half. Arsenal had just one shot, a blocked Gabriel header.

The Gunners were better straight after the break and took the lead through a brilliant Madueke header, but dropped off soon after.

Lewis-Potter wasted one big chance to equalise but then took a second. Gabriel Martinelli should have won it in stoppage time but took too long to get a smothered shot away.

Four points with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to come later in the season does not feel a lot.

Two key absences felt

This is a deep Arsenal squad and with the options at Arteta's disposal, injuries cannot be used as an excuse this season.

However, two absences did feel very noticeable here when Arteta turned to look at those on the bench.

Mikel Merino this week underwent surgery on a foot injury that will keep him out for most of the season, while Kai Havertz faces at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a muscle issue.

Absent: Mikel Merino

Instagram/Mikel Merino

Those are two players that Arteta would almost certainly have thrown on here when Arsenal needed a winner.

They can make those late runs into the box, provide the link between the midfield and the attack, and chip in with big goals.

Instead, Arteta opted to not even bring on Gabriel Jesus, even with it level and Viktor Gyokeres struggling. He must find solutions without two of his trusty lieutenants.

Eze wastes golden opportunity

For the first time since mid-December, Eberechi Eze got his chance to start in the Premier League.

Since that match against Wolves, he has come off the bench five times and been an unused substitute on four occasions.

Here he started as the No10 with Kai Havertz out injured and Martin Odegaard not yet fully fit. It was a golden chance to make this match his own and lead Arsenal to three precious points.

Eberechi Eze was taken off at half-time in the 1-1 draw against Brentford

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

However, Eze failed to take it in a hugely disappointing performance. He had 17 touches in the first half and completed only nine passes, the second fewest of any Arsenal player.

It was no surprise when he failed to emerge for the second half, Arteta replacing him with Odegaard at the back.

Now the Arsenal captain has returned, and after this ineffective display, Eze could face a lengthy wait for his next Premier League start.