With three games of the season left for both title contenders, City closed to within two points of the Gunners, who face a tricky trip to relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.
After a dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, Pep Guardiola’s men could not afford another slip up if they were to retain hope of a seventh title in nine years.
A resolute Brentford, still in the running for European football themselves next season, held out until the hour mark when the in-form Jeremy Doku curled into the top corner.
“We will see, it is not in our hands,” said Guardiola. “We will do our job and wait.”
City cut the goal difference gap on Arsenal to one and now must hope the Hammers cause an upset in a huge clash at both ends of the table at the London Stadium.
Arsenal face already-relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace, days before they play in the UEFA Conference League final, in their final two games.
City host Palace on Wednesday before a tough trip to in-form Bournemouth and host Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Liverpool inched towards Champions League qualification but failed to inflict a seventh consecutive league defeat on Chelsea.
Ryan Gravenberch’s sweet strike gave the Reds the perfect start in the sixth minute at Anfield.
Chelsea hit back when Enzo Fernandez’s 35th-minute free-kick evaded everyone to find the bottom corner.
Boos at full-time reflected the mood around Anfield but Arne Slot said he is convinced he can win back the faith of the Liverpool support next season.
“If we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I’m 100 percent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now.”
Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Fulham cut Liverpool’s lead over the sixth-placed Cherries to four points with two games remaining.
Chelsea can no longer mathematically finish in the top five and remain in ninth.
Manchester United are already assured of Champions League football and a lack of jeopardy showed in the Red Devils’ uneventful 0-0 draw at Sunderland. (AFP)