Brentford vs. Arsenal: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Arsenal’s final mid-week assignment of the Premier League campaign sends them across west London to the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday, where a Brentford side chasing history of their own stands between the Gunners and a seventh consecutive league victory. Mikel Arteta’s men remain odds-on to lift a first championship since the Invincibles era, yet Manchester City’s stoppage-time salvo at Anfield has trimmed the cushion at the summit and cranked the pressure back to maximum.

The visitors’ response to their only domestic defeat since August – a dramatic 3-2 loss at Old Trafford – has been emphatic: four goals past Leeds United and a professional dismissal of Sunderland have restored momentum. Still, the short trip to Brentford has become a fixture few leaders relish. Under interim guidance from set-piece specialist turned head coach Keith Andrews, the Bees have lost once at home since October and arrive buoyed by Saturday’s statement 3-2 triumph at Newcastle United, a result that hoisted them to seventh, four points shy of fifth-placed Chelsea and a maiden European adventure.

Arsenal’s injury ledger is lengthening. Bukayo Saka’s hip issue is expected to sideline him for a second straight match, while Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino and teenage prodigy Max Dowman are definitely out. Martin Ødegaard has resumed partial training after three games out with a muscular complaint but remains unlikely to start; Leandro Trossard, forced off against Sunderland, is rated doubtful. Brentford, meanwhile, cannot call on Kevin Schade after his red card versus Aston Villa, and Josh Dasilva and Fábio Carvalho are long-term absentees. Reiss Nelson is cup-tied against his parent club.

Dango Ouattara has filled the Schade void adroitly, scoring in successive fixtures including the late winner at St. James’ Park, and will again flank the attack. Arsenal are expected to retain Noni Madueke on the right of a fluid front four, with David Raya returning to his former stomping ground between the posts.

Predicted lineups

Brentford (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Henderson; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Rice, Zubimendi; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Gyökeres.

City’s Wednesday night tussle with Fulham will dictate the psychological temperature: should the champions prevail, Arsenal’s lead could shrink to a mere three points before kick-off. Even if the gap stays wider, expect a raucous, set-piece riddled contest decided by fine margins. December’s reverse fixture was a comfortable Gunners win; this one promises to be anything but.

SEO keywords: