Thomas Frank has tipped Arsenal to go on and win the Premier League title despite his Brentford side holding the Gunners to a draw in Saturday’s clash.
Ivan Toney earned the Bees a deserved point earned the Bees a deserved point in North London after Leandro Trossard ’s opener for the hosts. It was just the second time Mikel Arteta’s side had dropped points at home this campaign.
Yet Arsenal ’s failure to hold on to three points against Brentford meant that they failed to win in successive Premier League matches for the first time this season. The Gunners lost last time out at Everton and with the visit of Manchester City this coming week, it is a concerning time to lose form.
However, Brentford boss Frank believes that Arsenal – who still hold a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League over City – will go on to win the league for the first time in 19 seasons. The Dane said in his press conference after the match: "They're favourites to win the title and I think they will."
It was somewhat of an unprompted quote from Frank, who was clearly proud of his side – who were the superior team for large parts of the match and created more clear-cut scoring opportunities than the Gunners, who struggled to create chances against the Bees.
"I just said to the boys, wow!" Frank added when describing his side’s showing. "We are not allowed to celebrate one point because of course we want to win but we can celebrate the performance and that was one of the best.
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"I know we went 1-0 down, a great goal from them. But the coolness and braveness to come back against Arsenal, who were running through a brick wall to try and keep the lead."
Frank continued, when asking if Brentford could have won the game: "I think so. If you look at the big chances in the game we could have won. It is insane Brentford is 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League and against some decent sides. It is incredible work from the players and staff and everyone around the club. This is a proud moment."
The result stretches Brentford’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to ten matches – a run stretching back to October – and keeps their hopes of a first ever qualification for European football alive.
