'Let's see who the fighters are' - Arsenal urged to 'get up again' after letting more points slip in Premier League title race after Brentford draw

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Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table was cut to four points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford. With Manchester City ominously lurking behind them, Martin Keown told TNT Sports that he wants to "see who the fighters are" in the Gunners squad in response to a setback he insisted was "no big drama." Peter Crouch pointed out that City possess title-winning "know-how."

Highlights: Frantic finale as Brentford frustrate Arsenal

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Martin Keown urged Arsenal to show "who the fighters are" after their lead at the summit of the Premier League table was cut to four points.

The Gunners took the lead away to Brentford on Thursday night through Noni Madueke, but were soon pegged back by Keane Lewis-Potter in a 1-1 draw.

It was the fourth time Arsenal have dropped points since the turn of the year, following goalless draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest and defeat to Manchester United, and allowed City to close the gap in the title race.

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Keown, a three-time Premier League champion with Arsenal, was not overly concerned by the draw at the Gtech Community Stadium but urged the Gunners players to stand up and be counted in response.

"Confidence is really important now and that’s where the manager can empower these players by giving them the confidence to feel that belief. Keep telling the players how good they are," Keown told TNT Sports.

"Nothing has really gone wrong here for Arsenal tonight. No big drama, let’s move on. You get knocked down, you get up again. Let’s see who the fighters are. And let’s see who is going to win this."

'Why not?' - Keown forced to give title prediction after Arsenal draw

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Keown continued: "Arsenal weren’t at their best, but they’ve come away with a point. The next game up is an FA Cup match [against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, but then they play Wolves and can go seven points clear if they win it. That shifts the pressure.

"Arsenal scraped through here tonight. They could have put down a really big marker if they had won the match, but it never looked like that was going to be the case, and you have to credit Brentford for that.

"They really played well here, and Arsenal will see that as a really good point earned in the end I believe."

Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to be crowned English champions for the first time since 2003/04 this season after finishing as runners-up for the last three years.

Pressed on if Arsenal will win the league, Keown said: "They are in the running, you’re not going to get me to commit! They’re in with a massive chance of winning it. Why not? That is a yes!"

Arteta: Facing Brentford at set-pieces 'like a casino'

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City have ‘know-how’ for title run-in

Arsenal’s title rivals Man City have been the dominant force in English football in recent years, winning six of the last eight Premier League crowns.

Only Liverpool, in 2019/20 and 2024/25, have managed to break Pep Guardiola’s stranglehold on the trophy.

And City have displayed ominous form in recent weeks, winning five and drawing one of their last six games in all competitions, including a 3-0 thumping of Fulham on Wednesday.

"What Manchester City have got is the know-how, the recent history behind them," Peter Crouch told TNT Sports.

"What Arsenal have done by finishing second, the criticism comes, that can lead to a little bit of nervous tension around stadiums, certainly towards the back end of the season.

"With City and Pep Guardiola behind you, you’re always going to be looking over your shoulder, but you would much rather be in Arsenal’s position. They are four points clear, and they’ve probably got the best squad in the league."

'Never a foul' - Crouch and Keown clash over Brentford equaliser

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Arsenal have led the Premier League title race since October as Arteta looks to finally go one better than his string of second-place finishes.

After a summer bolstering the squad with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera, the Gunners look the team to beat – and Crouch believes there are few excuses left for them not to deliver the goods this year.

"Every year in the job you learn more, without doubt. The criticism is that [Arteta] has the best squad in the league, a good group of players, he’s been in the job a long time, but he’s been unlucky with some top, top teams [in previous seasons]," Crouch said.

"I don’t think there are top, top teams in the league now. Manchester City aren’t the City of old, Liverpool aren’t. Manchester United aren’t what they have been, Chelsea the same.

"There is a lack of quality in the top areas. The bar has been set really high in the past few years, and I think now is a real opportunity for Arsenal. If they don’t get it over the line, there will be more questions asked."

Highlights: First-half blitz guides Man City to commanding win over Fulham

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