After Liverpool’s surprise defeat at Fulham last week, Arsenal will be looking to increase the pressure at the top of the table in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.
The Cottagers ended the Reds’ 26-match unbeaten run in the English top flight with a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage. Arsenal failed to take full advantage, drawing 1-1 at Everton. However, they will be on a high following their blistering 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The gap at the top of the Premier League is currently 11 points and the Gunners will want to cut this down to eight. Liverpool have a tricky game against West Ham on Sunday and Arsenal will hope to apply pressure beforehand.
Mid-table Brentford stand in the way of the Gunners achieving this aim. With little to play for, they may already be on the beach. However, anything can happen in a London derby.
ARSENAL VS BRENTFORD PREVIEW
Arsenal are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. They will also be full of confidence after their demolition of Real Madrid. Two stunning free kicks from Declan Rice set the Gunners on their way, with Mikel Merino adding a third 15 minutes from time.
They now host a Brentford side enduring rather mixed form, although they did secure an impressive goalless draw against Chelsea last time out.
The reverse fixture on New Year’s Day saw the Gunners win 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium. Bryan Mbeumo struck early for the home side, but Arsenal bounced back with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Merino and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal also won the corresponding fixture 2-1, Kai Havertz scoring the winner four minutes from time. Rice had put the Gunners ahead, but Yoane Wissa equalised deep into first-half stoppage time.
The key question for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is whether he rests players and how many. Travelling to the Bernabeu is never easy, despite having a 3-0 first-leg lead. Real Madrid are more than capable of making a comeback. However, there is still an outside chance Arsenal can win the Premier League too.
What we do know is Gabriel Jesus is out with a knee injury. Meanwhile, a hamstring problem will keep Gabriel Magalhaes out of action too.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz will also not face Brentford. The game will probably come too soon for Riccardo Calafiori too.
Question marks remain over whether Bukayo Saka will feature. He played 74 minutes against Real Madrid but left the pitch with what looked like an ankle knock. Goal hero Declan Rice could feature though, having recovered from a slight knock himself.
The game will likely come too soon for Brentford’s Aaron Hickey and Gustavo Nunes but they are expected to return later in the month. Fábio Carvalho, Igor Thiago and Josh Dasilva are all out.
ARSENAL VS BRENTFORD – PREDICTIONS
Arsenal Win
Recent form and home advantage are both in Arsenal’s favour. But will they have one eye on their midweek match against Real Madrid?
Draw
Brentford secured a good draw against Chelsea last time out. Sitting comfortably in mid-table with little to play for, they will have the freedom to play how they like.
Brentford Win
Brentford have won five of their last six Premier League games on the road, only losing 2-1 to Newcastle United in this run. It is worth noting, though, that this was their last Premier League away game.
ARSENAL VS BRENTFORD – BETTING TIPS
Draw (1-1)
Much will depend on the team Arteta puts out, but Brentford are no pushovers. Therefore, I’m backing a score draw. Arsenal have scored in four of their last five Premier League games, while Brentford have netted in three of their last five. Four of Arsenal’s and three of Brentford’s last five Premier League matches have had under 2.5 goals so I’m backing 1-1 here.
Bukayo Saka To Score
Bukayo Saka has scored six and assisted six in his last 11 home Premier League games for Arsenal. He scored the decisive goal when the Gunners beat Fulham in Arsenal’s last Premier League match at the Emirates. Saka has also scored eight and assisted seven in his last 17 appearances in a London derby in the Premier League.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Arsenal and Brentford have met on 21 occasions, with the Gunners winning 10. The Bees have won six while there have been five draws.
- Arsenal have won all of the last four encounters between the two sides, and six of the last seven, in all competitions.
- Arsenal are undefeated in seven matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- Arsenal have only lost once in their last 10 home games against Brentford (W5, D4) in a run dating back to 1938.
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last 15 London derbies in the Premier League.
- Brentford have won their last two London derbies away from home.
- Brentford have lost only once in their last six Premier League games away from home, winning the other five.
- Brentford have the best conversion rate of any side in the Premier League – a 14.2% record (51 goals from 359 shots).
