- The match is planned to start at 8:30 PM EAT on Wednesday.
- Brentford have only secured one win in December.
- Arsenal will be without the likes of Saka, White and Tomiyasu.
A scary trip to the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year’s Eve awaits Premier League title contenders Arsenal FC.
The side, which is coached by Spanish tactician Mikel Arteta, will be aiming to overcome hosts Brentford and reduce the gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners occupy the third position in the log with 36 points at the moment, nine behind Liverpool, who hammered minnows West Ham United 5-0 over the weekend.
Liverpool, who still have a game in hand, have been backed by most football pundits to clinch the coveted title at the end of the season.
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However, a win for Arsenal on Wednesday can enable them to continue putting pressure on the Merseyside club, and perhaps leapfrog them when it matters most.
The North London based club travels to Brentford on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in a match that was played at the Emirates Stadium four days ago.
The much needed win was made possible by Leandro Trossard’s excellent cross that was tapped in from close range by German versatile player Kai Havertz.
Unlike Arsenal, Brentford have struggled in recent weeks, picking up only a single win in all competitions in the congested December calendar.
The victory came on December 7, where they secured a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United at their home venue. Since then, the Thomas Frank charges have lost two and registered one win in the league.
The Bees, as they are popularly known around the universe, played to a barren draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in their latest tie.
Here are the important facts you need to understand ahead of the upcoming fixture.
What time does Brentford vs Arsenal start?
The match is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM East African (EAT) time on Wednesday at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford vs Arsenal Team News
The visitors will miss the services of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Raheem Sterling and Three Lions’ skillful forward Bukayo Saka.
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Saka, who has played an instrumental role in Arsenal’s campaign this season, recently underwent a medical procedure after picking up a hamstring injury.
On the other hand, the defensive duo of White and Tomiyasu are yet to recover from their knee problems, while Sterling is racing against time to overcome a hamstring issue.
With Saka and Sterling absent, Arteta may continue to utilize the services of Trossard on the left wing, with Gabriel Martinelli or Ethan Nwaneri likely to start on the opposite flank.
Meanwhile, Brentford are guaranteed to be without Rico Henry (knee), Ethan Pinnock (thigh), Gustavo Nunes (back) and Josh Dasilva (knee).
Moreover, Frank will have to make a last minute decision concerning the inclusion of Mathias Jensen and Sepp van den Berg into his starting 11 since they have recovered from thigh and groin injuries respectively.
Possible Starting 11
Brentford: Flekken, Lewis-Potter, Collins, Van den Berg, Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Damsgaard, Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa
Arsenal: Raya, Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Jesus, Havertz, Trossard
Brentford vs Arsenal Head-to-head
Brentford and Arsenal have played each other four times in all competitions since 2023 with the Gunners picking up three wins. One of those matches ended in a 1-1 draw.
The multiple FA Cup winners registered a 2-1 win in the most recent clash between the two clubs that was staged at the Emirates Stadium in March this year.
Brentford: 0
Draw: 1
Arsenal: 3
Brentford vs Arsenal Current Form (all competitions)
Brentford: WLLLD
Arsenal: WDWWW
Brentford vs Arsenal Prediction
The hosts are expected to give Arsenal a difficult time because they will enjoy the support of thousands of their home supporters.
However, they may struggle to stop the talented Arsenal attackers, who will cause them constant problems even with Saka’s absence.
Therefore, football fans should get ready for a hotly contested match that may see Brentford sit deep and try to hurt Arsenal using counter attacks.
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