Arsenal dropped points within the Premier League title race, drawing 1-1 with Brentford, and it was a doubly frustrating evening for Eberechi Eze.
After a cagey and goalless first half, Noni Madueke gave the league leaders the lead on the hour mark with a header from Piero Hincapie’s cross.
An away win would have restored Arsenal’s six-point lead over title rivals Manchester City but Brentford responded superbly after going behind and equalised through Keane Lewis-Potter.
Each side had possibilities to seal the three points – Brentford perhaps coming closest to a winner – but a charming London derby ended all square.
The stalemate was particularly disappointing for Arsenal summer signing Eze, who was subbed off at half-time following an underwhelming opening 45 minutes.
Arsenal supporters had high hopes for the England winger, who grew up supporting the Gunners, but he has scored just 4 league goals, three of which got here in a single game against his former suitors Spurs.
Tottenham were on the verge of signing Eze from Crystal Palace just for north London rivals Arsenal to hijack the deal last summer.
Get your football fix
Don’t need to miss the week’s biggest football stories? Metro’s exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the most recent transfer rumours and managerial moves to evaluation of the largest games and so much more, our experts have you ever covered.
Join here, it’s an open goal.
Eze has the truth is not scored since that north London derby hat-trick in late November, going 16 games and not using a goal in all competitions.
A dip in form has seen Eze often feature from the bench but he began Thursday’s London derby at Brentford.
Arteta opted to sub Eze off at half-time, nonetheless, bringing on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as his substitute.
Asked whether he understood Arteta’s half-time change, ex-England striker Crouch said on TNT Sports: ‘Yeah, Eze couldn’t get on the ball or make things work, he couldn’t make things tick.
‘Defensively he’s probably not nearly as good as Martin Odegaard either, he doesn’t get across the pitch quick as much.
‘It’s disappointing for Eze, he’s not played many games and no managed to make an influence in any respect.’
Arsenal legend Martin Keown, meanwhile, said Eze had a ‘difficult night’ against Brentford.
‘Brentford were on top in the primary half,’ Keown said. ‘It’s been difficult for Arsenal and particularly Eze.
‘We’re hearing Martin Odegaard is coming on, he’s probably more accustomed to the structure, definitely from a pressing viewpoint. He’s busier with possession as well.
‘There could also be some changes and Arsenal need them because Brentford were on top of things for numerous that first half.’
The derby draw leaves Arsenal 4 points ahead of Manchester City ahead of a weekend by which the Premier League pauses for the FA Cup.
Brentford, meanwhile, stay seventh, just five points outside the top-four places.
Goalscorer Lewis-Potter said: ‘It’s an enormous point ultimately. It could have gone either way at the tip. End of the day, we deserve some extent, and I’m completely happy.
‘The squad we now have got we are able to do special things. To play the highest teams and take points from them is our aim on a regular basis.
‘The best way he [Keith Andrews] speaks to us each day, the way in which he holds meetings and training sessions, he speaks so highly of the players and staff around us.
‘We’ve an unbelievable group. We are able to definitely do something special this season. That’s the aim.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Why William Saliba just isn’t playing for Arsenal against Brentford today
MORE: Darwin Nunez and former Arsenal player axed from Al Hilal squad by Simone Inzaghi
MORE: John Terry makes Tottenham manager prediction amid Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino links