It was a disappointing afternoon for league leaders Arsenal on Saturday as they yet again dropped points at home with Brentford forcing them to a 1-1 draw.

For all their stellar outings this season, a winless run in two successive games raises concern as to Arsenal’s plausibility of claiming the much coveted premier league crown amidst stiff competition from Manchester City.

Victory for Arsenal against Brentford would have put them eight points clear at the top of the Premier League but the draw means Manchester City will leapfrog them at the summit if they win today and beat the Gunners on Wednesday night.

Arsenal were not excluded from the shambolic and erratic officiating the VAR officials displayed across league matches on Saturday when Lee Mason, the video referee, forgot to draw an offside line in an event that led to Brentford’s controversial equaliser.

The Bees striker Ivan Toney who missed a sitter in the first half headed home from Christian Noorgaard’s cross in the 72nd minute.

Subsequent video footage revealed that Christian Noorgard was in an offside position when he crossed for Ivan Toney and the goal would have been ruled out if the VAR lines had been drawn.

January signing Leandro Trossard had earlier made an instant impact coming off the bench to put the host ahead having converted Bukayo Saka’s low cross six minutes past the hour mark.

The combined effect of the frustrating draw against Brentford coupled with a 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Everton last week has hampered Arsenal title race.

Despite the unfavourable back to back result, they remain top of the standings with a six points lead over City but this can be squandered away should City earn victory over Aston Villa and subsequently defeat the Gunners in a super clash on Wednesday evening.

Thus, their most feasible chance at premier league success in two decade is on the verge of an abrupt end.