London, Feb 12 (NA) -- Arsenal drew 1-1 in their visit to Brentford, dropping key points in the fight for the Premier League of England, where Manchester City closed the gap. The team of Spanish coach Mikel Arteta managed to hold on to the advantage and allowed 'the Citizens', the big beneficiaries of the matchday, to remain four units from the top of the table, according to the Argentine News Agency. Under a torrential rain, the London-based side took control from the start, although they lacked depth and clarity in the final third. Although they monopolized possession, they generated little real danger and ended up suffering in the final stretch of the first half, when Brentford grew in intensity. The clearest chance fell to Igor Thiago, but David Raya responded with solvency to prevent the goal. In the second half, Arsenal pushed forward and pinned their opponent back, however, they again abused crosses and repeatedly crashed into a solid defense. Persistence paid off after a cross from Piero Hincapié into the area that Noni Madueke connected with a header, against the run of play, to open the scoring. The local reaction was not long in coming, as Van der Berg warned with a header and Thiago again tested Raya. The equalizer was set up from a long throw-in by Rico Henry: Van der Berg flicked the ball and Keane Lewis-Potter launched himself into a bicycle kick to make it 1-1, a typical Brentford aerial play. The closing was open and thrilling as Brentford had chances to win, but failed in the final touch. Arsenal also had a last chance at the feet of Gabriel Martinelli, but Caoimhin Kelleher responded with a decisive save.
