Arsenal ratings: Partey states his case for contract extension but Jorginho is a passenger against Brentford

MATURE Arsenal had their eyes firmly set on their mid-week second leg tie at Real Madrid and were held to a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Mikel Areta made five changes to prepare to defend their 3-0 lead on Madrid in the Champions League, but Thomas Partey, who remained in the XI, backed up his underrated performance with an another cracker here.

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It started out like a pre-season friendly, with Arsenal cautiously trying to avoid any unnecessary injuries ahead of the

And while Brentford chanted “You'll win f*** all” come May, the away players were flat in their chase for European qualification.

Arsenal thought they took the lead but Kieran Tierney's header in the 26th minute was ruled out by the new semi-automated offside rule.

And moments later Brentford captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card for a rough challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.

Partey finally found a breakthrough with a stunning counter-attack, before Arteta brought on the cavalry.

Yet the subs actually negatively affected Arsenal's momentum, and Brentford quickly equalised through Yoane Wissa's acrobatic finish.

Here's how SunSport's Katherine Walsh rated the Gunners at the Emirates stadium.

David Raya – 7

Not as composed and commanding as he was against Madrid, how could he be?

The Spaniard sent a few iffy passes into the visitors' path early on.

But he produced a great save to deny Kristoffer Ajer from an opener inside 20 minutes, after Bryan Mbeumo's great first time ball for the overlap around Tierney.

And pro-active goalkeeping saw him pluck a testing Brentford corner out the air before his roll out released Rice on a rampaging run for Arsenal's goal.

Kieran Tierney – 7

The left back looked chuffed after receiving huge applause from the fans and hugs from his team–mates after heading in a goal in the 26th minute.

But an offside call from VAR denied the Scot what could have been his last goal for the club, with a looming.

Brilliantly got back to nick the ball from Mbeumo, who was a few yards from getting a shot off.

William Saliba – 6

Woke the fans up from their sleep with an inviting 20 yard run, to win Arsenal a corner in the first 15 minutes.

The Frenchman wasn't asked to do much defensively in the first half.

Thomas Partey – 8

Should the 31-year-old be given a contract extension when his current deal expires in the summer?

Tuesday's unsung hero moved into right back in Arteta's five man squad rotation ahead of the trip to Madrid on Wednesday.

He inverted into midfield, with Brentford unable to offer any threat down the right hand side.

But just as Arteta was prepping Saka and Odegaard to come on, Partey lashed in his first fourth Prem goal of the season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5

Started in midfield and was eager to impress in his audition to come off the bench against Madrid.

Gifted chances to Ethan Nwaneri and Martinelli in the first half and tested Mark Flekken's goal himself.

The Ukrainian, of course, isn't as brave going forward as Odegaard. But this was a solid performance.

Declan Rice – 7

His name was cheered the loudest before kick-off after his here on Tuesday.

But he's clearly the engine of this Arsenal team, who dominates in midfield, gets in the box and sends glorious corners in time after time.

It was Rice's near 30-yard run that set up Partey's opener.

He did head down into Vitaly Janelt's path inside six minutes, but luckily for him, Brentford couldn't get a shot off.

But there's a feeling among fans that something special can happen every time Rice touches the ball in the opposition box.

Jorginho – 4

The Italian was wearing the armband from the off with Odegaard rested on the bench and Gabriel Magalhaes out until the end of the season.

But it wasn't exactly a captain's performance. Much of the game seemed to pass him by at times.

The former Chelsea star is clearly one of those destined to leave in the summer overhaul.

Ethan Nwaneri – 4

The 18-year-old stepped into Bukayo Saka's shoes on the right wing, with Arteta saving the England superstar for Madrid.

But he didn't see much of the ball and struggled with Brentford's physical low block.

He did link up well with Rice for a shot towards Flekken in the ninth minute.

And got the fans up from their seats with some tricky feet through several Brentford stars at the start of the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli – 5

Was Arsenal's most fouled player. He took a bizarre touch when Zinchenko found him a few yards from Flekken's goal in the first half.

The Brazilian needs to be stronger at times. But his runs were a handful down the left flank all afternoon.

The Emirates went nuts – and so did Arteta – when Bees captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card after clattering into Martinelli from behind.

Leandro Trossard – 6

Another game, another makeshift striker for Arsenal, with club player of the month Merino rested on the bench.

Trossard did well to break away inside 13 minutes but his pass was just behind Martinelli.

He's always a great player to have in your squad and had several shots kept out by busy bees keeper Flekken in the first half.

SUBS

Bukayo Saka – (for Nwaneri '63 min)

Saka should've scored after a mistake from Flekken.

Martin Odegaard – (for Zinchenko '62 min)

Myles Lewis-Skelly – (for Tierney '62 min)

Strolled through Brentford's left hand side within a minute of coming on. What a talent he is.

Imagine being saved and prioritised for the 15 times Kings of Europe at 18 years old.

Jurrien Timber – (for Partey '70 min)

Mikel Merino –