The league leaders struggled to get going against Keith Andrews’ side and were fortunate to take a point from the game, as a flurry of late Brentford chances should have seen the hosts take all three points after Keane Lewis-Potter had cancelled out Noni Madueke’s opener.
Speaking to the press after the match, Arteta said: “For the first ten or fifteen minutes, we lacked certain composure to dominate the game better. I think after that, we started to play much more in our way. We started to play in their half and generated some situations without really having clear-cut chances.
“In the second half, with the way we started, we really looked a threat. The way we combine and the way we threaten constantly. Then we scored the goal, and the game was under total control.
“But against them, that is not enough, because they just need somebody making a foul that is unnecessary and a ball in the channel before they push you, and the clearance is not good before the throw-in, and then you have to pray because they are exceptional at what they do.”
“If you want to win here, you’re going to have to defend the box with your life, and you’re going to have to clear the ball because there are a lot of people there, and if you don’t do that, it is very difficult for you to win the game.
“We haven’t done it in one of the actions, and credit to them as well for that.”
Eberechi Eze was again hooked at half-time and replaced by Martin Odegaard as the Arsenal midfielder’s worrying form continued at the Gtech Community Stadium. The former Crystal Palace star made his first start since suffering the same fate in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on December 6th.
Asked about the decision to take Eze off at half-time again, Arteta responded: “Because we were aware that they [Brentford] were pressing, and we needed another kind of profile to generate more problems for them in and around those areas, and I think he [Odegaard] came on to the pitch really well. The team had another gear and more threat to arrive to the areas that we wanted to.
“I think he [Eze] had moments. It’s not easy when you move to a new club and it’s always like this. When you play against a team like this and the ball is a lot of the time not on the floor and you have to constantly breaking the play, especially for creative attacking players, it’s more difficult.
Arteta was then asked whether he had an issue with the way Brentford played against his side, to which he replied: “No. They are really good because when they have to play in and around you, I think they dominate so many areas.
“They are really good on restarts. They are really good when they have to counter as well. They have a lot of qualities, and big credit to them.”
Arsenal host Wigan Athletic on Sunday [4pm] before travelling to Wolves in the Premier League as Arteta hopes for an immediate response to more dropped points in the Gunners’ pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004.