Arsenal return to home comforts as they host a flying Brentford side at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta hoping for a win.
Arsenal, who face Brentford next, could escape the ramifications of their uninspired loss to Everton last weekend as Tottenham defeated Manchester City. The results ensured the Gunners maintained their five-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side with a game in hand.
On to the Everton result, Arsenal were far from their best version. Having not lost in the league since the Manchester United result at Old Trafford, this was a bitter blow for them. Tougher games are coming for the Gunners as they will host Man City at the Emirates midweek.
💬 "The reaction of the team has been superb this week and tomorrow we’re going to put in a great performance in front of our crowd to try to win the game."
Let's bring the energy tomorrow, Gooners 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 10, 2023
Before that, Arteta will have to navigate a win against flying Brentford at the Emirates. In the reverse fixture, Arsenal thoroughly defeated the Bees, with William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira sealing the points for Arteta’s men. The manager would hope for a similar outcome as the Gunners remain keen to keep their advantage up top.
Thomas Frank will be more than pleased with his side’s performances in recent months. Brentford will come to the Emirates high on confidence and momentum, having dispatched bottom-placed Southampton last weekend. Goals from Ben Mee, Bryan Mbeumo, and Mathias Jensen sealed the points.
With that win, the Bees extended their advantage on the table over Chelsea and Liverpool, climbing above Fulham into 7th place. Frank will certainly have eyes for a European spot, and they seem like a team capable of challenging the established elites.
Brentford are also on a tremendous unbeaten run of nine games in the Premier League. Frank would certainly hope the streak continues, but the prospect of getting something positive at the Emirates is a mammoth task. The Gunners are also undefeated at home this season, something the Bees would like to change on Saturday.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
The situation with Mikel Arteta’s squad is no different than last weekend. Arsenal still have Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, and Reiss Nelson absent from their plans due to respective injuries. While Nelson is back in training, the other two have assumed outdoor work in a bid to return to fitness.
💪 Time to train
📍 London Colney pic.twitter.com/6nluVp76xP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 9, 2023
Mohamed Elneny is their only long-term absentee. On to the team, ideally, Arteta will not make any changes from the side that started against Everton. However, with the midweek game against Manchester City on the horizon, the manager could tweak a position or two to maintain freshness.
One of the possible changes could come at right-back after a few underwhelming displays from Ben White. Takehiro Tomiyasu is a readymade choice for the position. Arteta could also ponder starting Leandro Trossard instead of Gabriel Martinelli, who seems a bit overworked.
Other than that, the rest of the team members will retain their places. Eddie Nketiah will again lead the line for Arsenal, while a fit-again Thomas Partey will hold the midfield together. So January signing Jorginho has to wait a bit longer for his first start for Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Nketiah
Brentford
Pontus Jansson and Frank Onyeka are the confirmed absentees against Arsenal for Brentford. Thomas Frank insisted that Onyeka is already in training, but Jansson is not too far behind. Yet, the duo are not in the shape to play games.
Thomas Frank with the injury update ahead of tomorrow's trip to Arsenal ⤵#BrentfordFC | #ARSBRE
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 10, 2023
Second-choice goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is a doubt for the game but could be assessed late on. An ankle problem kept him out of the squad against Southampton. Frank will likely stick with his attacking 4-3-3 against the Gunners, with Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee marshalling the defence.
Kristoffer Ajer and Vitaly Janelt will keep the full-back roles. Christian Norgaard, who has scored in his last two games against Arsenal, will hold the midfield together. He will have former Gunners man Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen on either side.
Ivan Toney will lead the line for Brentford and look to add over his 13 goals this season. Yoane Wissa and Mbeumo will provide width for the Bees as they hope to score past this staunch Arsenal defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ajer, Pinnock, Ben Mee, Janelt; Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa
Key Stats
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium (W11 D1)
- Arsenal have scored the most goals in the opening 30 minutes of Premier League games this season (14)
- Arsenal have kept just two clean sheets in their last 14 Premier League home matches.
- Brentford have conceded just one goal in their last five Premier League games and none in the last three.
- Brentford are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Magalhaes
No player in Europe's top 5 leagues has made more last man tackles this season than Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães, with six 👏🇧🇷🔴 pic.twitter.com/7ZPmlcf9co
— LiveScore (@livescore) February 6, 2023
The Brazilian defender has been one of the most underrated players in the division this season. While William Saliba has managed to take the plaudits for his mature performances, the Brazilian has been the main force behind the Gunners.
His physical presence and reading of the game have been astute to the point he sometimes manages the entire left space on his own. Against Brentford, the Arsenal defender has a huge task against Bryan Mbuemo and Ivan Toney. The physical presence of those forward will keep Gabriel on his toes, but the Brazilian is more capable of handling the pressure himself.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Brentford
The Gunners are the second-best defensive side in the division, but they do not keep clean sheets more often. They have managed a shut out only twice at home all season, and Mikel Arteta will urge his backline to become tighter against teams.
Arsenal have so much on the line going against Brentford and have shown the ability to maneuver through pressure this season. Arteta will secure the three points against the Bees and continue their march toward the Premier League title.
