Brentford host Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium in a London derby in the Premier League this Saturday.
The Bees are looking to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last time out, while Mikel Arteta’s men are looking to improve their title credentials.
Here’s everything you need to know about this Saturday’s clash.
Brentford v Arsenal – Match Preview:
Form
Brentford: LWWWL
The Bees are currently 11th in the Premier League, sat comfortably as part of a cluster of five teams that are separated by two points in the mid-table slots.
Thomas Frank’s side’s three game winning streak was ended in lacklustre fashion as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Liverpool last time out.
đź’¬ “Sometimes the scoreline doesn’t reflect the performance; in many ways today was a good performance”
The post-match thoughts of Thomas Frank#LIVBRE | @pensionbee pic.twitter.com/hjOk8Gyoey
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) November 12, 2023
Bryan Mbeumo went close to opening the scoring at Anfield but his effort was saved by the on-rushing Allison. The Cameroon international has flourished without strike partner Ivan Toney and is Brentford’s top scorer in the league with six goals and a futher two assists to his name.
The Bees have been a tough nut to crack at home since the start of last season and have only lost three times in their last 25 home games in the league.
Saturday’s game might be too soon for trio Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter and Josh Da Silva but they could all be welcomed back in the short term.
Ivan Toney continues his suspension while Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Kevin Schade are all out long term.
Arsenal: WLLWW
Mikel Arteta’s men sit third in the Premier League, just one point off leaders Manchester City. The Gunners boast the joint-best defensive record in the division, and statistically the best in terms of expected goals conceded.
At the heart of the backline, 22-year-old William Saliba has played every minute in the league and the Frenchman was rewarded with a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Burnley last time out.
Leandro Trossard’s header was cancelled out by a deflected equaliser from Josh Brownhill, but Saliba headed home three minutes later from a corner to make it 2-1.
A scissor-kick stunner from left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko wrapped up the three points with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Zinchenko 🔛🔝 pic.twitter.com/TqNw5fuRFr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 14, 2023
Arsenal have several injury problems, but could welcome back captain Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus, the latter of who made the most recent Brazil squad.
Thomas Partey and Emile Smith-Rowe have been ruled out until December, while Jurrien Timber is still months away from a return following an ACL injury suffered in August.
Last Meeting
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal September 27th 2023
We only have to go as far back as September for the last meeting between the two London sides, as they faced off in one of five all-Premier League ties in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Aaron Ramsdale played his first game for Arsenal since he was dropped for Spanish shot-stopper David Raya, who is on loan from Brentford.
Reiss Nelson scored the game’s only goal on eight minutes, his first goal since a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Bournemouth in March.
Eddie Nketiah pounced on a misplaced pass from Mathias Jorgensen and played the ball into the path of the 23-year-old, who cooly slotted the ball past Mark Flekken.
The Gunners faced fellow Premier League club West Ham in round four, but were soundly defeated 3-1 in a nightmare return to the London Stadium for Declan Rice.
Predicted Lineups
Brentford: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt; Norgaard, Jensen, Onyeka; Wissa, Mbeumo.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Who is the referee?
Tim Robinson.
Is Brentford v Arsenal on TV?
UK and Ireland: TNT Sports 1.
USA: USA Network.
What time is kick off?
Saturday 25th November, 17:30 GMT.
Odds
Brentford – 7/2
Draw – 11/4
Arsenal – 3/4
