Brentford v Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Brentford host Arsenal . The Bees have lost their last two home matches versus the Gunners but have nine points from the last four in the league. Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just once in the league all season, but it came in their last fixture on their travels.

Brentford Form

The Bees had a poor run of three losses in four matches at one point. That streak made it one win in the first eight matches in the league as injuries took their toll. A 3-1 home loss to Everton preceded a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford after two very late goals were leaked.

Three successive wins followed to move the club up the table. In a 3-0 thrashing of Burnley, they were totally dominant. A rock-solid 2-0 win at Chelsea followed before beating West Ham 3-2 at home. Their last fixture saw a relatively even match end 3-0 away to Liverpool at Anfield.

Brentford Team News

Thomas Frank’s injury woes are not getting much better. In fact, he has now lost Nathan Collins to an ankle injury. Ivan Toney is banned, and wingbacks Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey are out for a while yet. Attacking options are limited with Kevin Schade and Keane Lewis-Potter absent.

Mikkel Damsgaard and Josh Dasilva are still missing in the midfield. Mathias Jorgensen could replace Collins in the back five. Mads Roerslev is set to cover out of position at left wingback.

Brentford Motivation

Brentford will play a back-five once again. Expect a 5-3-2 defensive shape with little regard for ball possession.

A draw would be a decent enough result, but the Bees will play to win at home initially.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal sits third in the table but are just one point off Man City. They’ve been beaten once all season in the league and their 10 goals conceded is the tied-best defensive record. In all competitions, it’s three losses in the last nine matches though. After a surprise 2-1 loss at Lens, they beat title rivals Man City 1-0 at home.

A 2-2 draw at Chelsea saw them come from 2-0 down, before thrashing Sheffield United 5-0. Successive losses followed, 3-1 at West Ham with a weakened team in the Carabao Cup and then 1-0 at Newcastle in contentious circumstances. Prior to the international break, they beat Sevilla 2-1 at home and Burnley 3-1 at home to put their losses behind them.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta saw Gabriel Jesus return from injury for Brazil and that boosts the attack. Jurrien Timber is still out for many months and Thomas Partey will play no part in central midfield. David Raya can’t face his parent club so Aaron Ramsdale will play whilst Fabio Vieira is suspended.

Martin Odegaard is the big question mark, and his involvement is not clear at this stage. Ben White should shake off an injury to start. Kai Havertz played at left back for Germany during the international break but could instead replace Odegaard in midfield if the latter is ruled out.

Arsenal Motivation

Mikel Arteta will want a win here, especially on a weekend where one of Man City or Liverpool will certainly drop points.

Arsenal will expect a tough and tight game and will need to be patient. A draw would feel like a loss.

Key Stats

Brentford have won 3 of their last 4 EPL matches

Brentford have lost their last 2 home matches vs Arsenal (all competitions)

Arsenal have seen Both Teams Score + Over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 away matches

Arsenal have scored 10 goals in their last 4 league matches

Verdict

This match looks set to be very tight. This is a potential banana skin for Arsenal, but the Brentford injuries may give Arteta’s side the upper hand slightly.