Arsenal will kick-start the new year with a tricky away fixture against Brentford, who have a fantastic record at home this season.
Thomas Frank will have been delighted at the prospect of taking a point away at Brighton & Hove Albion in their most recent Premier League game, given the amount of injuries in his squad. Brentford managed to keep hold of the Seagulls, who were the better-attacking unit on the night, as they will now await a visit from Arsenal to kick-start the new year.
That draw away to Brighton also halted a three-game losing run in all competitions, which included a first home loss of the campaign at the hands of Nottingham Forest. With their impeccable record at the Gtech Community Stadium already over, they will now want to start 2025 on a high note and put a halt to Arsenal’s London derby record of 2024.
Despite that home loss to Forest, the Bees still have the joint-best Premier League record in terms of points and best with regards to goals scored so far this term. Hence, Brentford will want to continue this run at the Gtech when Arsenal come visiting, as this is also a team they have not beaten since the opening game of the 2021-22 season, which was on home soil.
Arsenal picked momentum following back-to-back Premier League wins over Crystal Palace and then Ipswich Town. While the former was a goal galore for Mikel Arteta’s side, the latter proved a bit more difficult as a solitary Kai Havertz goal in the first half proved enough to take all three points.
Many Arsenal fans had expected their team to put multiple goals past a newly-promoted, relegation-threatened Ipswich side, but the visitors showcased good defensive awareness. Arteta was eventually happy with maximum points, although Liverpool took a nine-point lead following their smashing away victory at West Ham United.
The title race is far from over, although, at this stage, one might consider Liverpool as the clear favourites. Arsenal also moved past Chelsea into second following their win over Ipswich, although they have since lost that spot to Forest who have played a game more. The Gunners will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run in London Derbies as they make the short yet tricky trip to Brentford on Wednesday.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
There were fresh additions to an already long list of injured stars at Brentford as goalkeeper Mark Flekken went off with a groin problem. The Bees also lost Ben Mee to an injury in the latter stages of the game against Brighton & Hove Albion, with both those stars doubtful for the Arsenal clash.
Excluding those two, nine other players are in the treatment room at the moment, with only Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jansen closer than the others to make a return. The duo could even feature in the squad on Wednesday, although there are big doubts if either will start.
Hakon Valdimarsson should be in line to make his full debut for Brentford in Flekken’s potential absence, although there is still a slight chance the latter might be deemed fit enough to start against Arsenal. In the defence, Kim Ji-Soo might get a run out in the central areas alongside Nathan Collins, while Mads Roerslev and Keane Lewis-Potter feature in the full-back roles.
The midfield and frontline setup might stay intact from the previous game, as Thomas Frank is desperately short of options to rotate. Kevin Schade will have a place in the front three from the left-hand side, while Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo will complete the attacking setup for Brentford against Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Collins, Kim, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade
Arsenal
There was an update on Bukayo Saka’s condition as Mikel Arteta confirmed the winger has undergone surgery to correct his hamstring problems, which will keep him out for more than two months. All eyes will be on Arsenal’s response in the transfer market, as the additional absence of Raheem Sterling have depleted their attacking options.
Hence, there might be some tweaking to the system as Arteta will have to find a more fluid way to play without Saka in his side for a considerable period. The manager will also have to manage the fitness of some of his recent returnees with care, which could see the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori start from the bench.
Myles Lewis-Skelly put in another superb performance from left-back to warrant another start, and Arteta will retain the same backline with Jurrien Timber at right-back. The central midfield positions will again be a subject of debate as Arteta must decide between Thomas Partey and Declan Rice in that holding midfield role.
It might be the case that Partey comes back into the Arsenal lineup against Brentford, with Rice moving into the left-eight position, as Arteta might bring one of the attacking players back to the bench. It could be the case of using those in form at the moment, which could see Gabriel Martinelli drop out of the side for the Brentford trip.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Havertz, Trossard
Key Stats
- Brentford are winless in their last four games across all competitions.
- Brentford are the joint-best Premier League side at home in terms of points and best in goals scored this season.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last three away matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won five of their last six matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- Arsenal were unbeaten in their 10 Premier League London Derbies in 2024.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus
Having failed to make use of the solid momentum following two goal-laden games, Gabriel Jesus will have to step up, particularly in Saka’s absence. The Brazilian is one of the experienced players on this side, and this might be the time to show he is capable of filling in big shoes.
There is a chance that Arsenal will dip into the transfer market, but it is Jesus’s job to make sure they are lethal in the attacking third and have to stay fit for concerted periods. The focus will be on the Brazilian now more than ever, as Arteta will hope for big performances from him in the coming period.
Prediction
Brentford 1-2 Arsenal
Brentford have been fabulous on home soil this season, and Thomas Frank will want to continue on this run irrespective of the opponents they face. However, that challenge will be put to the test when Arsenal come visiting, as there could be a repeat of what happened in their most recent home game with a top-four side.
Arsenal have momentum on their side following back-to-back victories in the league, which will make them favourites to take three points at Brentford. Moreover, there is immense pressure on the Gunners to stay relevant in the title race, which will see them bring their A-game to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday.