Arsenal's Premier League title hopes take hit at Brentford as familiar pattern of post-match difficulties at Man City continues | Football news

Some weeks Arsenal seem unstoppable. Some of them seem vulnerable. But after another unconvincing display at Brentford, a common theme has emerged about Arsenal in recent weeks.

Since the start of the year, Arsenal have struggled to respond to Manchester City's result in the title race. It was the fourth time Mikel Arteta's side had played past City during the matchweek and dropped points.

This week, Man City swept aside Fulham, but Arsenal stumbled against their own west London opponents the following day. They lost to Manchester United the day after Man City won against Wolves.

Earlier in the calendar year, they failed to really extend their lead over Pep Guardiola's Nottingham Forest side hours after City lost in the Manchester derby – and against Liverpool, after City dropped points at Brighton.

At the same time, when Arsenal went first, they looked like a different team. There were no nerves against Sunderland last weekend, which preceded City's dramatic match at Liverpool.

They traveled to Elland Road – another difficult venue and lost their star striker Bukayo Saka during the warm-up – and it was an easy street ahead of City's game against Spurs.

Arsenal found a way through Bournemouth on Saturday before City host Chelsea on Super Sunday. And even when they faced Aston Villa at home, they got the result they lacked at Brentford. Again, this happened a day before City took action.

Arteta refutes claim 'going second' impacts his team. “I don't think so, I think we've also played well against them a few times this season and we've won the games,” he said.

He's right. Arsenal's slim victories in December against Brighton and Everton came hours after City secured victories.

But that was in 2025, it is 2026. The finish line is a little closer, the other cup competitions are starting to increase in intensity. Tougher questions will be asked and anxiety about crossing the line will increase.

Arteta instead said Arsenal's latest dropped points were down to a lack of defensive solidity against one of the Premier League's most chaotic teams in Brentford.

“We missed certain things against them, we have to defend these situations, or even better prevent them,” he said.

“You don't want to give them any chance or just hope that something bad happens and we didn't do that well enough throughout the game.”

But could this be linked to the pressure of playing after City? There were times in the Brentford game where Arsenal didn't look at themselves.

In the first three minutes, Gabriel placed a wayward pass behind for a Brentford corner after three minutes – then committed some clumsy fouls, which almost saw him sent off for two yellow cards.

In the build-up to Igor Thiago's big chance in the first half, which required a big save from David Raya, Declan Rice gave the ball away cheaply in possession. It was unlike him – and similar to that Martin Zubimendi error that led to Manchester United's equalizer at the Emirates in January.

Gabriel Martinelli has now missed big chances against Forest and Brentford – when he showed he was up to the task in those high-pressure areas, most notably against Man City in September.

Title races do funny things to players and it feeds the idea that – despite the brilliant depth of Arsenal's squad – City's experience of getting over the finish line is the trump card they have against Arsenal.

Whether the schedule matters or not, Arsenal will need to sort out their recent “playing after City” problem – and quickly.

While they face Wolves on Wednesday – their next Premier League match which City cannot answer – Guardiola's side will play first in the two weeks that follow.

These matches see Arsenal face two more London derbies which will pose similar questions to those they faced at Brentford.

A week on Sunday they face a Tottenham side who could experience a 'new manager bounce' following the departure of Thomas Frank, while a week later Chelsea arrive at the Emirates – and Liam Rosenior's side have shown they can put on a nervy spectacle at the Emirates.

In the space of five days, Arsenal went from a nine-point lead to a four-point gap and City smelled blood. This title race is well and truly underway.