Arsenal vs Brentford preview, how to watch, team news and predictions

• Tweet
• Pin It

Arsenal can move top of the Premier League table with a win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Gunners have enjoyed a sensational run of form since the winter break. Starting with a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in mid-January, Arsenal have won all seven of their league games. Not only that, but they’ve done it in style with an aggregate score of 31-3 over those seven games.

Having already put 6 past West Ham and 5 past Burnley on the road, Arsenal devastating away form continued with a 6-0 hammering of Sheffield United on Monday night. There were six different scorers at Bramall Lane, with Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Ben White and an own goal securing another convincing win.

That victory saw Arsenal keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City – who both won last weekend. We head into this weekend’s games sitting third in the table, one point behind City and two adrift of leaders Liverpool. With the top two facing off against each other at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal have a golden opportunity to go top of the table if we beat Brentford in North London on Saturday.

We have a huge Champions League last-16 second leg against Porto coming up next Tuesday but Mikel Arteta will no doubt have his players fully focussed on the task at hand this weekend. Arsenal cannot afford any slip-ups in the title race, and playing Brentford at home gives us a terrific chance to go top and put the pressure on Liverpool and City ahead of their showdown on Sunday.

Brentford come into the game off the back of a disappointing run as they’ve won just one of their last seven Premier League games. They’ve tasted defeat to Tottenham, Man City [twice] and Liverpool during that period, so it’s not been an easy run of fixtures for the Bees. They did manage to hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw last time out, but they still sit 15th in the table and six points off the drop zone. Therefore, they’ll be hoping to leave the Emirates with a positive result to boost their survival hopes.

How to watch

The game has been selected for live broadcast and will be shown on Sky Sports at 5.30pm on Saturday evening. Subscribers can follow all the action on their TV, or via the Sky Go app on mobile or tablet.

Match going fans can buy Arsenal tickets at the official club ticket office but they are likely to be sold out. However, supporters can still purchase tickets via trusted online resellers such as seatsnet.com.

Team news

Arsenal’s injury problems have slowly been easing in recent weeks with the return of some key players. Thomas Partey made his long-awaited return to action with a substitute appearance against Sheffield United on Monday so he’s pushing to make his first start since October.

Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe have also returned to action recently to give Arteta more options in midfield and attack. Jurrien Timber is back in full training after recovering from ACL surgery, but he’s still some way off being available for selection as he continues to build up his fitness.

Takehiro Tomiyasu failed to prove his fitness for the trip to Bramall Lane but he’ll hope to make his return from a calf injury this weekend. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also close to making his comeback from a calf problem. Both defenders will be given late fitness tests at London Colney on Friday.

Bukayo Saka was forced off at half-time against Sheffield United due to illness but he should be fit to face Brentford. Martinelli limped off mid-way through the second half after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge. However, Arteta confirmed after the game it was just a cut to his foot so the Brazilian should hopefully be available this weekend.

However, it’s not all positive news as on-loan goalkeeper David Raya won’t be available on Saturday as he’s ineligible to face his parent club.

As for Brentford, they have plenty of injury concerns too. Josh Dasilva is out for the season with a knee injury while Rico Henry is also facing an extended spell out following knee surgery.

Ben Mee won’t play again this season due to an ankle injury so he joins Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade and Ethan Pinnock on the sidelines. Bryan Mbeumo is also a major doubt for the Bees as he’s still nursing an ankle injury.

Likely line-ups

Arteta has made limited changes to his starting eleven during this sensational run. With Porto coming up on Tuesday, the boss may be tempted to rotate some of his key men but that’s still unlikely given Arsenal desperately need a win over Brentford to go top of the table.

Aaron Ramsdale will make a rare appearance in goal with Raya unavailable but I think we’ll see the same back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jacub Kiwior. The Poland international deserves to keep his place at left-back even if Zinchenko or Tomiyasu are fit.

Declan Rice will look to continue his superb form in midfield while Martin Odegaard will captain Arsenal once again. Saka should be fit to start on the right wing while Havertz was excellent up front on Monday night so he could keep his place once again. Jesus is available again but may get more minutes off the bench.

Jorginho has been excellent whenever he’s played recently but it will be interesting to see whether Arteta wants to give Partey a start ahead of the Porto game. The one change I do expect is to see Leandro Trossard coming in on the left wing with Martinelli not risked from the start due to his foot problem. Arteta will want the Brazilian fully-fit to face Porto.

Likely Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Saka, Havertz

Likely Brentford XI: Flekken, Jorgensen, Ajer, Collins, Roerslev, Onyeka, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon, Toney, Wissa

Predicted score

Brentford can be a dangerous side and have the potential to cause us problems with Ivan Toney up front. However, it’s difficult to see past another Arsenal win considering the devastating form we’re in right now.

The players are playing with so much intensity, confidence and freedom. With 31 goals scored in the last seven league games, we’re the most in-form team in Europe so we should have nothing to fear this weekend. I don’t think it will be another 6-0 win, but I do think Arsenal will ease to a comfortable victory to go top of the table. Arsenal 3-1 Brentford

• Tweet
• Pin It