Mikel Arteta will name his strongest possible lineup to face a struggling Brentford, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe set to start.
Arsenal have momentum going into Saturday’s game and Mikel Arteta will aim to build on that when they face Brentford at the Emirates. The Spaniard has a fully fit squad at his disposal against a struggling Brentford side.
Except for the suspended Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal will have all their players ready to play. Bernd Leno, who missed out against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a bout of COVID-19, is back in full training and is set to take his place on the Arsenal bench.
The big news is the possible return of Takehiro Tomiyasu in the lineup, with Arteta revealing that the full-back has been training with the group in the last few days. The Japanese international missed the Wolves game due to a calf problem.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said, “We are all good. The doubt was Tomiyasu, which is still not perfect, but he has trained the last few days, so he is in contention, and we can use him, so that’s really positive.”
Arteta also confirmed Leno’s potential return saying, “He’s fine. He’s recovered well, he didn’t have too many symptoms, he’s trained the last few days, and he felt good so he will be available.”
From the manager’s comments, it appears that Tomiyasu will be assessed late, although there are indications that he could be pushing for a start ahead of Cedric Soares. If Tomiyasu returns, he will join Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney in a solid-looking back-four, with Aaron Ramsdale firmly established between the posts.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will continue their partnership in central midfield, with Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga taking their places on the Arsenal bench. Martin Odegaard is set to feature in the no. 10 role, while Bukayo Saka will start on the right flank.
Nicolas Pepe will have to be content with a place on the bench. Emile Smith Rowe is the natural candidate to replace the suspended Martinelli, while Alexandre Lacazette will captain the side and lead the line for Arsenal against Brentford.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette
Mikel Arteta will name his strongest possible lineup to face a struggling Brentford, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe set to start.
Arsenal have momentum going into Saturday’s game and Mikel Arteta will aim to build on that when they face Brentford at the Emirates. The Spaniard has a fully fit squad at his disposal against a struggling Brentford side.
Except for the suspended Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal will have all their players ready to play. Bernd Leno, who missed out against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a bout of COVID-19, is back in full training and is set to take his place on the Arsenal bench.
The big news is the possible return of Takehiro Tomiyasu in the lineup, with Arteta revealing that the full-back has been training with the group in the last few days. The Japanese international missed the Wolves game due to a calf problem.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said, “We are all good. The doubt was Tomiyasu, which is still not perfect, but he has trained the last few days, so he is in contention, and we can use him, so that’s really positive.”
Arteta also confirmed Leno’s potential return saying, “He’s fine. He’s recovered well, he didn’t have too many symptoms, he’s trained the last few days, and he felt good so he will be available.”
From the manager’s comments, it appears that Tomiyasu will be assessed late, although there are indications that he could be pushing for a start ahead of Cedric Soares. If Tomiyasu returns, he will join Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney in a solid-looking back-four, with Aaron Ramsdale firmly established between the posts.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will continue their partnership in central midfield, with Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga taking their places on the Arsenal bench. Martin Odegaard is set to feature in the no. 10 role, while Bukayo Saka will start on the right flank.
Nicolas Pepe will have to be content with a place on the bench. Emile Smith Rowe is the natural candidate to replace the suspended Martinelli, while Alexandre Lacazette will captain the side and lead the line for Arsenal against Brentford.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette