Arteta reveals how 'casino' led to 'very bad' moment and explains Eze replacement

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said his side lacked composure and discipline as the Gunners missed a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League by squandering a lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Noni Madueke put the visitors ahead in the 61st minute, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalize 10 minutes later after a long throw before Brentford threatened a late winner and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli was denied a one-on-one in injury time.

“It's really difficult to dominate the game for long periods because Brentford are really good,” Arteta said after his side dropped points for the fourth time in six league matches.

“When the ball is in or around the signature line, in the channel or when you take the ball out for a throw-in, it's like a casino.

“Anything can happen and something really bad can happen. You have to navigate it and after the first 15 minutes we started to dominate.”

Arsenal has the breakthrough!

Noni Madueke with a head of real quality 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Kpq0IWRm6X

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

How Brentford made set pieces count

Brentford's success at set-pieces this season is no surprise given rookie boss Keith Andrews was their set-piece coach under his predecessor as manager, Thomas Frank.

Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 assistant coach Stephen Rice, who became the Bees' new pundit in August, will have been delighted to see Sepp van den Berg throw in a shot for Lewis-Potter to score for the seventh-placed side, who are firmly in contention for European qualification.

“We started the second half really well for the first 20 or 25 minutes,” Arteta said, crediting Brentford. “We scored and, from there, we needed more composure to better maintain the level, play in the right areas and stay more disciplined. »

Arsenal's advantage over second-placed Manchester City is now four points, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium on the horizon in April.

Brentford are tied!

A trademark long throw is finished off by Keane Lewis-Potter 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h1aqtgIh2g

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Why did Arsenal replace Eberechi Eze against Brentford?

England striker Eberechi Eze was replaced by Martin Odegaard at half-time following the midfielder's return from injury.

“We needed a different type of profile, especially with the way Brentford were pressing,” Arteta said, discussing his decision to replace the player he signed from Crystal Palace in August for an initial fee of £60 million.

“We had a very good chance at the end with a one-on-one for Martinelli, but it wasn't supposed to happen.”

Arteta has claimed his view on the title race has not changed in recent weeks. “You have to be at your best in every game and have the luck you need in every game to grab the three points,” added the Spaniard.

You can see the statistics of the Premier League match here.

David Raya with an incredible save to deny Brentford an opener 😲@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Brentford have confirmed their starting team against Arsenal

Brentford made one change from their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday, bringing on Yehor Yarmoliuk for Jordan Henderson in midfield.

Forward Kevin Schade was suspended and Reiss Nelson was ineligible to play against his parent club, so Luka Bentt replaced the winger on the bench.

Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva suffered long-term injuries.

Brentford starting eleven: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dango Ouattara, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago

Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furo, Luka Bentt

Arsenal have confirmed their starting line-up against Brentford

Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Odegaard returned to Arsenal's bench from injuries, having missed home wins against Chelsea and Sunderland last week.

Centre-back William Saliba was not involved at all as the hosts made four changes from their 3-0 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.

Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba and Piero Hincapie replaced full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In attack, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres supplant Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Midfielder/forward Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgery and winger Max Dowman was out with an ankle problem.

Arsenal starting lineup: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard

Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly

Brentford vs Arsenal Statistics

• Brentford's 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their previous home league match ended a seven-match unbeaten run at the Gtech Stadium.
• Since the start of last season, they have only lost two consecutive home league matches, the first time being a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest followed by a defeat to Arsenal.
• Their first ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal, in their first match in the competition in August 2021.
• Since then, they are winless in their last 9 matches against the Gunners (3 draws, 6 defeats)
• One of their last 11 home London derbies in the Premier League ended in victory (D7 L4), without a win in seven since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
• Igor Thiago has scored nine goals in his last 11 Premier League home games, scoring four braces along the way. Only Erling Haaland (5) has scored multiple goals in more different home games this season
• This was Brentford's fourth Premier League game on a Thursday – they lost 2-0 at Tottenham in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in May 2025 and drew 0-0 at Spurs last month.
• Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 678 London Premier League derbies as manager
• In total, only Arsène Wenger (106 in 194 games) and José Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard.
• One of Arsenal's last 24 London Premier League derbies ended in defeat (W17 D6)
• Since the start of the 2022/23 season, they have lost one of their 21 away games against London teams (14 wins, 6 draws).
• Although Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League matches on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (W9 D4), they are winless (D2 L2) in their last four Thursday matches.
• Arteta's side had won their previous three trips to Brentford by an aggregate score of 7-1.

What's next for these teams? Brentford, Arsenal next matches

Brentford visit non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday (7:30 p.m. GMT), a day after Arsenal hosted third division strugglers Wigan Athletic (4:30 p.m.) at the same stage of the competition.

Arsenal are next league action against Wolves, below, Wednesday (8 p.m.). Brentford host Brighton & Hove Albion on February 21 (3:00 p.m.).