Arsenal vs Brentford preview, team news, line-ups and predicted score

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Arsenal will take on Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on April 12th looking to keep alive their slim hopes of beating Liverpool to the Premier League title.

As things stand, the Gunners sit 12 points adrift of Liverpool with nine games remaining so it’s going to take a monumental collapse from the Reds if fans with Arsenal tickets are to see their side end their 23 year wait for the title.

The North Londoners went into the international break following a narrow 1-0 win over Chelsea with Mikel Merino’s first half header enough to separate the two sides and remain 12 points behind the leaders.

Mikel Arteta’s men can close the gap to nine points with a win over Fulham ahead of Liverpool’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield. The chances are both teams will win their respective games meaning the gap will remain at 12 points so Arsenal will need a win when they take on London rivals Brentford if they’re to keep the pressure on the Reds.

The Bees are enjoying a decent season and sit mid-table after beating Bournemouth 2-1 before the break. However, they still have one eye on European qualification as they are just six points off eighth which could be enough for a place in the Conference League this season.

Before taking on Brentford, Arsenal will host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with the second leg at the Bernabeu just three days after this game, so it’s going to be an intense week for the Gunners at home and in Europe.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 17:30 on April 12th. Subscribers can watch the action on their Sky box or via the app on mobile and tablet devices.

Alternatively, match going supporters with Arsenal vs Brentford tickets can watch all the action live from their seat at the Emirates Stadium.

Team news

Arsenal’s injury issues in attack are starting to ease as Bukayo Saka is set to make his long-awaited comeback from a hamstring injury that he sustained back in December. The winger has been working hard on his recovery since undergoing surgery and is finally ready to return after building up his fitness during the international break.

Gabriel Martinelli made his comeback from a hamstring injury a few weeks ago and is starting to rediscover his best form so Arteta has two of his key attackers back for the run-in. It may be too late for the Premier League title but having Martinelli and Saka fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League will be a huge boost for the Gunners.

Unfortunately, Arsenal still don’t have a recognised striker as Gabriel Jesus remains out with a knee injury. The Brazilian damaged knee ligaments in January and isn’t expected to return until the end of 2025. Kai Havertz is also out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a torn hamstring that he picked up during the warm-weather training camp in Dubai in February.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is another player who won’t play again this season after undergoing the knife to treat a troublesome knee injury and Riccardo Calafiori is out after picking up a knee injury while playing for Italy in the break, but Ben White is fit again after a nightmare campaign blighted by injury.

As for Brentford, they’ll be without Fabio Carvalho for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury while Josh Dasilva is also on the sidelines with a knee injury. Thiago Rodrigues is missing with a knee problem and Aaron Hickey is also expected to miss out along with Nunes Fernandes.

However, Rico Henry is likely to return to the Brentford squad for the trip to Arsenal.

Likely Line-up

Assuming Arsenal don’t pick up any more injuries before the game, Arteta is likely to go with Gabriel Magalhaes alongside William Saliba in the middle of defence once again. White is lacking match fitness so Jurrien Timber could keep his place at right-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly starting on the left side of Arsenal’s defence.

Thomas Partey is enjoying a fine campaign and he should start in the holding role with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard ahead of him in midfield. Martinelli is favourite to start on the left flank meaning Leandro Trossard may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

As long as Saka gets some minutes under his belt in the next couple of matches, he could return to start on the right wing – although with this game sandwiched between the two Madrid games, Arteta may opt to protect his starboy.

Ethan Nwaneri could therefore start on the right wing. Mikel Merino has been filling in up front in the absence of Jesus and Havertz so he’s likely to lead the line once again.

As for Brentford, Nathan Collins will marshal the backline along with Ethan Pinnock while Christian Norgaard will be a key component of their midfield. Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa will be the dangermen in attack and Yehor Yarmoluk will offer support.

Likely Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Merino

Likely Brentford XI: Flekken, van de Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Janlet, Norgaard, Yarmolyuk, Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa

Predicted score

Brentford are a solid team and have quality in attack with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa more than capable of causing Arsenal plenty of problems. I’m sure the Gunners won’t underestimate the opposition but with this match in-between the Madrid tie, there’s every chance the Arsenal players might not be 100% focussed on Brentford.

The title is all-but over so Arsenal’s main concern will be the Champions League and that will no doubt affect their performances in the league. However, being at home, I still expect the Gunners to have enough quality get three points in this game.

Saka’s return will be a huge boost and with Martinelli also available again, Arteta has more options in attack. Their defence is always solid so I think Arsenal will edge this one 2-1. Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

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