Arsenal vs Brentford Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Arsenal will hope to maintain their momentum and brush aside a struggling Brentford side to stay in touch with the Premier League top-four.

Arsenal’s win over Wolves was monumental for the north Londoners in the context of the Premier League top four race. Since the Gunners played their last game ten days earlier, there have been massive developments elsewhere, with the likes of Tottenham and West Ham United dropping points.

Arsenal are in a good position to finish in the top four, with their position solidified following the narrow victory over Wolves. After Gabriel Martinelli’s bizarre dismissal, the Gunners put in a tremendous defensive display in the last twenty minutes of the match to hold on to a crucial win.

Arsenal’s next few fixtures look favourable on paper, and Mikel Arteta will be eying maximum points out of these. They now face Brentford, with memories fresh from the season’s opening day, when the Bees beat the Gunners 2-0.

The tables have turned now though, as Brentford come into the clash in dismal form. Great things were expected from the Bees after their good start to the season. However, they are currently on a winless streak stretching to six Premier League games. They did manage to stop their losing streak against Crystal Palace last time out, which should boost their confidence.

Brentford had ambitions to finish in the top half but now find themselves closer to the relegation zone, with seven points separating them from 18th placed Norwich City. Thomas Frank needs an upturn in form, and will be looking to guide his team to a historic league double over their London rivals.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal. However, Gabriel Martinelli is suspended following his sending off against Wolves. The big news though is that summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has resumed full training and is in contention to start.

? All eyes on Brentford

? Watch the lads in action as they prepare for Saturday's game ?

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 17, 2022

There will be a late decision on the Japan international’s inclusion from the start. Cedric Soares could deputise once more, especially after a positive game against Wolves. However, if the opportunity presents itself, Arteta will likely field Tomiyasu at right-back.

There are no changes expected to the rest of the defence, with Ben White, Gabriel, and Kieran Tierney expected to take their places ahead of Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Second-choice stopper Bernd Leno is also fit again after a bout of Covid since the team returned from their Dubai trip.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are expected to continue their midfield partnership, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny being options on the bench. Martin Odegaard will play in the advanced midfield role, slightly behind the front three.

Martinelli’s absence will see Emile Smith Rowe start on the left side of the attack, with Bukayo Saka the preferred choice ahead of Nicolas Pepe on the right. Alexandre Lacazette will continue to lead the attack and captain the side, while Eddie Nketiah will have to be content with a place on the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette

Brentford

Tariq Fosu-Henry remains absent through injury, while Christian Eriksen and Julian Jeanvier are currently not match fit to feature in the squad. The Danish star did play in a friendly to get some sharpness back after not featuring on a football pitch since his unfortunate cardiac arrest at the Euros.

? Wrapped up against the elements#BrentfordFC #ARSBRE pic.twitter.com/8UBrmzNKvs

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 18, 2022

Meanwhile, Mathias Jorgensen is deemed unfit and will not feature against Arsenal. Ivan Toney, who has missed the last two games for Brentford, remains in danger of being sidelined against Arsenal. His importance in the team is unquestioned, and Thomas Frank confirmed that he will undergo a late test to determine his availability.

If the assessments are positive, Toney will feature in the matchday squad, although he will not be ready for a start. His potential absence from the lineup could allow Yoane Wissa to continue his striker partnership with Bryan Mbeumo.

Frank is expected to go with the usual back three featuring Kristoffer Ajer, Pontus Jansson and Ethan Pinnock, with Rico Henry and Sergi Canos as potential candidates for the wing-back roles. The manager could retain the shape of his midfield which could feature Mathias Jansen, Christian Norgaard and Vitaly Janelt.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Canos, Jansen, Norgaard, Janelt, Henry; Mbeumo, Wissa

Key Stats

• Arsenal have only beaten Brentford in two of their 11 league meetings.
• Arsenal have kept five clean sheets in their last seven Premier League games.
• Arsenal are undefeated in nine of their last ten home games in the Premier League.
• Brentford are winless in their last six Premier League games, losing five in a row before their draw with Crystal Palace.
• Brentford’s passing accuracy of 61% in the opposition half is the lowest in the Premier League this season.

Player To Watch

Emile Smith Rowe

Embed from Getty Images

The 21-year-old may not have featured from the start in recent games but remains one of the cornerstones of Arteta’s project. Smith Rowe is also Arsenal’s current top scorer with eight strikes and is on course to reach double figures.

He will certainly remember the difficult away trip to Brentford on the first day of the season and will be eager to make a mark against this opposition. Moreover, Gabriel Martinelli’s absence allows Smith Rowe to stake a claim for the starting berth from the left side of the attack. A good performance against the Bees will certainly give Mikel Arteta a selection headache in the future.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

Arsenal had to deal with Covid and injury problems at the start of the season, which played a part in their loss against Brentford. However, the scenario is different as Mikel Arteta will be able to field his strongest possible side against the Bees on Saturday.

Brentford come into this game on a dreadful run of form and could be without the their talisman Ivan Toney up front, which may not help their quest to get a positive result at the Emirates. Expect Arsenal to sweep the Bees aside and continue their chase for a top-four place, while keeping yet another clean sheet.