Arsenal were scheduled to face Chelsea during the weekend but the Blues were playing in the Club World Cup which allowed the Gunners an extended break.
The North London side return to action in the Premier League on Saturday as they face Brentford and Mikel Arteta’s side will need to win this one if they wish to secure a Champions League spot.
Arsenal are currently sixth on the Premier League table but they are just two points behind the fourth spot and have also played three games less than West Ham United. If Mikel Arteta’s can pick three points vs the Bees then they will be in pole position to secure that final UCL spot on the table.
The last time these two sides met was on the opening matchweek of the season and Brentford picked up a shocking 2-0 win. Arsenal have come a long way since then but in the previous few weeks, their form has seen a dip once again so Brentford could once again inflict a killer blow on Saturday.
The Gunners manager has only one absentee for this game but he also has a very small squad so things can get really interesting. Arsenal though will go into this game as the favourites since they have lost just one game out of their previous five league outings and on the other hand, Brentford haven’t won a match in their past seven attempts.
Arsenal team news vs Brentford:
Bernd Leno had tested positive for COVID but he should be back in training this week. It doesn’t matter much since Aaron Ramsdale will be starting in goal anyways.
Last Thursday’s game came too early for Takehiro Tomiyasu to make a return from his injury but the full-back is sure to start on Saturday. The rest of the defensive line will remain unchanged though.
Because of a really thin squad, Mikel Arteta does not have the luxury to make too many changes so Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will hold onto their places from the Wolves game. Lokonoga is an option for the defensive midfielder’s role but given how physical Brentford are, we don’t think Arteta select him.
I’m upset because it’s difficult to accept that as a red card. But I am proud the team fought to keep the result and the win 💪 pic.twitter.com/F5dm3adahc
— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) February 10, 2022
Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable due to a suspension after he picked up two yellow cards in a single passage of play in the Wolves game.
With Martinelli ruled out, the vacant position on the left-hand side will hopefully be occupied by Emile Smith Rowe. The manager also has the option to bring Saka on the left and bring in Nicolas Pepe on the right flank but we don’t think Mikel Arteta will want to make too many unwanted changes.
After Aubameyang’s exit, Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are the only two centre-forwards in the squad and the former is going to lead the line with Martin Odegaard playing as the attacking midfielder.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Brentford:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Gabriel, Ben White, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey; Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe; Lacazette.
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Stats via Fotmob
