Mikel Arteta left Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino on the bench with the Gunners holding a 3-0 first leg lead over the European champions ahead of the return in Madrid on Wednesday.

It appeared the Spaniard would get away with that risk as Saka and Odegaard were introduced seconds after Declan Rice teed up Thomas Partey to open the scoring on the break from a Brentford corner.

But the Bees hit back with a well-worked set-piece of their own when Nathan Collins headed Michael Kayode's cross down and Yoane Wissa flicked in his 16th goal of the season.

Liverpool could now seal a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title as early as next weekend should they win their next two matches and Arsenal lose at Ipswich.