Arteta makes feelings clear as Arsenal denied by controversial Brentford goal

11 February 2023 , 17:57

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Mikel Arteta has blasted officials and claimed Brentford’s late equaliser against Arsenal should have been disallowed for offside.

The Gunners were looking for an immediate response following defeat to Everton last time out, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford. A below-par Arsenal struggled to find the breakthrough until Leandro Trossard put them in front with just over 20 minutes to go.

But the Premier League leaders could only hold onto that slender advantage for eight minutes, when Ivan Toney prodded home following a set-piece.

The goal came after the Bees managed to keep the ball alive with Toney eventually getting the ball a yard out. There was a lengthy VAR check before the goal was awarded, with Arteta believing that the incorrect decision was made.

"I've just looked at it back, and it is offside,” he said in his post-match press conference. "You cannot block if you are offside, but it's irrelevant, it's gone."

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He added: "Credit to them for the way they competed. But I thought we were dominant and had good moments. We scored a goal against that super-low block they had. They took the game to that rollercoaster game they want to take you to.

"Winning is about small margins. When you win you win by small margins. But if you cannot win it then you don't lose it. I thought the team still had a good performance today."

Trossard, who scored his first Arsenal goal in the second half, admitted the draw was a disappointing outcome, but insisted they will be ready to turn it around when they face Manchester City in midweek. "Yeah of course it's nice to have the goal as it gets me going but after that it's disappointing they got the equaliser.

Mikel Arteta believes Brentford's goal should have been ruled out for offside (Sky Sports)

He told BBC Sport: “It's a tough one to take. We did everything well. To score against Brentford isn't easy. We said before on the set-pieces they're really good and today it happened again. We have to learn from that. There's a game again on Wednesday to turn things around.

"You don't get your way every game. We have to work hard every single day. There's a great atmosphere in the team and we have to keep that momentum going even when results don't go your way."

The result does extend the gap over City at the top to six points, but opens the possibility of them being usurped next week. If Pep Guardiola’s side can beat Aston Villa on Sunday, they will know that a win over their title rivals on Wednesday will see them move to the summit.

Brentford meanwhile, remain in eighth and are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games. Thomas Frank revealed his players wouldn't be celebrating the draw with the league leaders though, believing their performance warranted an even better result.

Ivan Toney scored Brentford's controversial equaliser at Arsenal (PA)

He told the BBC: "I just said to the boys, wow! We are not allowed to celebrate one point because of course we want to win but we can celebrate the performance and that was one of the best.

"I know we went 1-0 down, a great goal from them. But the coolness and braveness to come back against Arsenal, who were running through a brick wall to try and keep the lead."

“If you look at the big chances in the game we could have won. It is insane Brentford is 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League and against some decent sides.