The Gunners faced the latest stern test of their title credentials against a Bees side emerging as genuine European qualification contenders.
With Manchester City breathing down their necks after overcoming Fulham the previous day, Arteta’s men made an uncharacteristically nervy start here, as David Raya was forced to make amends for a sloppy clearance with a superb save to keep out Igor Thiago’s close-range header.
The hosts were looking very impressive on the ball, with Dango Ouattara unfortunate not to find a team-mate via his wicked delivery from the right-hand side.
Arsenal rallied later on with a sustained spell of possession round the Brentford box, but will not remember this half of football with too much fondness after failing to register a solitary shot on target heading into half time.
Only the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford in December had fewer first-half first attempts in a PL game this season (three) than the four mustered between both sides here.
Arteta’s side were eager to quickly rediscover their goalscoring touch, and broke the deadlock just past the hour mark.
Piero Hincapié drilled in a brilliant cross the left towards Noni Madueke, who peeled away from Rico Henry and powered home a superb header past Caoimhín Kelleher.
Brentford’s response to falling behind was encouraging, and Keane Lewis-Potter should have done much better after heading wide at the far post from Mathias Jensen’s corner.
However, he did add his name to the scoresheet 10 minutes after Madueke’s opener to level the scores.
Sepp van den Berg flicked on a trademark long throw-in from Michael Kayode, and Lewis-Potter was there to head home at the far post. Keith Andrews’ side were now looking the more likely to strike next, with the Bees’ direct approach from set-pieces causing the Gunners defence all sorts of problems.
Thiago was causing a real nuisance and was denied the chance to snatch all three points after an outstanding sliding challenge by Cristhian Mosquera. Both sides were going for it in a pulsating end to the match, with Thiago and Gabriel Martinelli going close at both ends in the dying embers of this clash.
Ultimately, the points were shared, providing another twist in this absorbing title race. This result will be greatly received by Pep Guardiola’s side, who are now within four points of the Gunners at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Brentford remain in fine fettle in their pursuit of European football and remain seventh, two points behind Liverpool.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sepp van den Berg (Brentford)