Arsenal make the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford and will hope to lift a peculiar Thursday curse this season.
Keith Andrews has proven all of his critics wrong, who at the start of the season predicted Brentford to go down under the tutelage of an inexperienced manager, and he will aim to go one step further against Arsenal this week. Entering Matchday 26, the Bees are in seventh spot and steadily making their case as a team that can qualify for a European competition next season.
Andrews brings his charges back to their home turf following two splendid trips to Aston Villa and Newcastle United. Against the former, Brentford managed to maintain a slender one-goal lead with ten men on the pitch, while they secured a brilliant victory over the Magpies at the weekend.
However, they are probably about to face their toughest opponents yet on home soil, as league leaders Arsenal come visiting. Brentford are without a win over their opponents in their last eight meetings, while losing the reverse fixture at the Emirates with a 2-0 scoreline. A win against the table toppers could take them two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, which will boost their European hopes.
Arsenal have managed to answer a few doubters following their home loss to Manchester United, after two big victories over Leeds United away from home and then against Sunderland at the Emirates. The two wins allowed the Gunners to maintain a six-point lead at the top, scoring seven times on those two clashes and conceding none.
The Gunners opened the scoring with a tremendous strike from Martin Zubimendi, while the in-form Viktor Gyokeres scored a second-half brace to seal the points against Sunderland. Arsenal come into this clash at the GTech with big confidence, but they have a peculiar ‘Thursday Curse’ hanging over their heads, as they have failed to win or even score in each of their last three games played on Thursday this season.
Mikel Arteta will pay no attention to the said curse and will focus on the task ahead at Brentford. With Manchester City playing Fulham on Wednesday night, there’s a chance that Arsenal might enter their Thursday game with only a three-point advantage, as all games from here on, including this one at the Gtech, remain a must-win for the sake of their chances to win the title.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
Andrews is staring at having to do without at least four of his first team members. Former Arsenal graduate Josh Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo are out with knee injuries, while key attacker Kevin Schade serves the second of his three-game ban for the direct red card at Villa Park.
Brentford will also be without Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson, who cannot face his parent club, although he wasn’t expected to start the game. Andrews is unlikely to make any major lineup changes from the win at St James Park.
Andrews is expected to keep an unchanged lineup, barring maybe one change in the middle, as Yehor Yarmoliuk might replace Jordan Henderson after the latter was withdrawn quite early in the second half for tactical reasons. The player to watch for Brentford will be striker Igor Thiago, who has scored nine times in his last 10 home games.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Yarmoliuk; Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Arsenal
Arteta did not state explicitly that some of the doubtful players will miss out, as there’s hope that Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard are fit for this clash. The Belgian hobbled off late in the win over Sunderland, although there has been no prognosis on his issue, which could see him make the team on Thursday.
There are doubts over Saka, but Odegaard’s issue is not considered serious enough for him to miss another game. Even if fit, Arteta might target the upcoming FA Cup clash against Wigan as a time to give the attackers game time, as currently, he might have a well-working formula in place.
Mikel Merino underwent surgery on his stress fracture, which might see the midfielder miss the remainder of the season, while Max Dowman is still out but very close to a return. Beyond that, and considering how fit Trossard is, Arteta might name a similar starting lineup to last weekend, except for a few changes.
For instance, Piero Hincapie might come in for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, while Gabriel Martinelli might replace Trossard if the Belgian is unfit. Two-goal star Gyokeres might be preferred for this one in place of Gabriel Jesus, while Kai Havertz should continue in that role that sees him play right behind the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Trossard; Gyokeres
Key Stats
- Brentford have won 6 of their last 9 games in the Premier League.
- Brentford have failed to beat Arsenal in their last 8 meetings.
- Arsenal have won their last 4 away matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 London derbies.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swedish striker, heavily criticised for his lack of goals despite coming to the club with a huge reputation for his prowess inside the box, might finally be coming to the fore. Currently, Gyokeres is probably the most in-form forward in the division since the turn of the year, as his brace on Saturday was evidence of his growing stature.
With the striker most likely to start against Brentford, the opposition defenders are likely to experience a difficult time dealing with his physicality. Gyokeres will be key to Arsenal’s chances away in this London derby, as his rising form also promises some goals in the process.
Prediction
Brentford 1-2 Arsenal
Brentford have shown plenty of promise under Andrews this season, and are certainly a force on home soil. Their attackers have been the shining light for them, which could be an issue for Arsenal in their quest to keep a third consecutive clean sheet on the bounce.
The Gunners are in the kind of form and rhythm that makes them difficult for opponents, as this could be another game where they come out triumphant. Arsenal are the favourites to win and, at the very least, restore their six-point advantage on top, although depending on Manchester City’s result, they could also go nine points clear.