Turkish AFTV“This didn’t look like the best of performances before the away leg.” | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Draw with Brentford Leaves One Eye on Madrid, the Other on What Could Have Been

In a game that felt like both an obligation and a distraction, Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brentford has been dissected in the latest AFTV podcast featuring Turkish and James. The result may not have swayed the standings dramatically, but it added yet another frustrating layer to a league campaign that’s long since drifted from Arsenal’s grasp. With Real Madrid looming, the focus of both the team and fans is clearly elsewhere – and Turkish made no attempt to hide it.

“Let’s go into it, we’re going to struggle,” Turkish sighed at the start. “But one eye on Real I guess—or both eyes on Real.”

Missed Opportunities and Tactical Missteps

From the off, it was clear that Brentford hadn’t come to play. “Goalkeeper was taking a little while with goal kicks from the first half,” Turkish noted. “They definitely looked like they got one eye on the summer break.” Arsenal, meanwhile, looked hesitant—dominating for large spells without applying the killer touch.

The substitutions came under fire again, as they have in recent weeks. Turkish pointed out that “the substitutions for me just ruined… not that we were in much flow but we were very much in control,” while James added, “two weeks in a row the subs which were meant to make us stronger have kind of killed us.”

Arsenal’s Achilles Heel: Losing Leads

It’s not just about Brentford. This match is emblematic of a recurring issue. “We led in both those games,” Turkish said, referring to matches against Everton and Brentford. “And we’ve led in a lot of games that we’ve thrown away this season.”

Even as Arsenal’s defence has generally held firm, the collective inability to hold onto leads has undone much of the season’s early promise. “There is something about us not being able to hold on to leads as a collective,” Turkish concluded.