Arsenal will be facing off against Brentford on Saturday, February 19. The match kicks off at 3 pm at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal wants to continue their good run of form coming to this game. The Gunners haven’t lost in their last six games. They are currently 6th, 2 points off West Ham and 4 off Manchester United. But they have also played three fewer games which are certainly something to take into account. Brentford on the other hand is currently on 14th, just one point above Leeds while also having played two more games. Brentford will want to win this game and hope Leeds or Everton don’t win theirs.
Arsenal comes to this match after a hard-fought win against Wolverhampton. A Gabriel strike sealed the deal for them as Martinelli saw red. The win gives them three crucial points and some much-needed momentum. They also have three games in the band The London side will want to win all three games and enter the top 4.
Arsenal League Form: W D L W W W
Brentford played a goalless draw against Crystal Palace before this game. The Hornets haven’t won a single game in their last six outings. Thomas Frank’s side will hope that the addition of the charismatic Christian Eriksen changes things for them.
Brentford League Form: D L L L L L
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Arsenal duo Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) and Bernd Leno (COVID-19) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Arteta is, however, unable to call upon Martinelli following his sending off at Molineux, so either Emile Smith Rowe or Nicolas Pepe are set to start as a result.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are expected to retain their centre-midfield positions, while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are likely to provide support in the final third for central striker Alexandre Lacazette, who is expected to get the nod over Eddie Nketiah.
ARSENAL PREDICTED LINEUP AGAINST BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1)
Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette
BRENTFORD TEAM NEWS
As for Brentford, former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian Eriksen featured in a friendly for the Bees in midweek, but Saturday’s game will come too soon for the 30-year-old.
Injured trio Tarique Fosu-Henry, Julian Jeanvier and Mathias Jorgensen also remain sidelined, but Ivan Toney could return to the matchday squad this weekend after missing the last two league games with a calf injury.
Frank could name an unchanged starting lineup against the Gunners; however, the potential return of Toney could see him start ahead of Yoane Wissa, while Shandon Baptiste and Frank Onyenka will both be hoping to force their way into the midfield ahead of Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt.
BRENTFORD PREDICTED LINEUP AGAINST ARSENAL (3-5-2)
Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Canos, Onyeka, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
OUR PREDICTION
Arsenal 1 – 0 Brentford
Arsenal has struggled in front of goals lately and they could continue. The Gunners didn’t look the best of sides when they faced Brentford the last time. The hosts could be in for a challenge here on Sunday. But we back them to get a narrow win against the Hornets and close in on the top 4.
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