Arsenal v Brentford: Preview, Team News & Predictions | Premier League 2022-23
Arsenal will be looking to shake off their 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park versus Everton and return to winning ways when they take on Brentford on February 11th.
The Gunners were stunned by Sean Dyche’s spirited Toffees side, but were helped by their biggest rivals in Tottenham, who handed Manchester City another reality check with a 1-0 victory. They’ll be looking to use their home comforts to continue pushing a title charge that very few predicted before the season began.
Mikel Arteta and co., along with Newcastle United, remain the only two teams in the division with an unbeaten home record. The Emirates has turned into a frightening fortress, Arsenal fans are once again beginning to create deafening atmospheres, and the Gunners are firing on all cylinders with 50 points already.
Quite contrary to the above, the Bees have only managed a couple of wins on their travels. If form from the previous six is taken into account, no team in the Premier League is above Brentford – with 14 points to their credit (four wins, two draws).
Thomas Frank’s belligerent Bees are simply flying higher than they’re meant to, and dreaming – deservedly – as big as they should. In 2023 so far, they’ve conceded just the solitary goal to Liverpool, which in fact, came in a thumping 3-1 win.
Arsenal is a different test altogether, especially since their last win away came at the Highbury, in 1938.
Team News
Arsenal
The Gunners will be boosted by Gabriel Jesus’ return to team training, however, this game is a little too soon for the sharpshooter. Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith-Rowe remain casualties for the hosts, while Reiss Nelson should beef up the depth required.
Brentford
Brentford will be without their captain Pontus Jansson once again, as he continues his rehabilitation from a thigh strain.
Frank Onyeka and Shandon Baptiste are close to making their returns, while Josh Dasilva will be pumped with extra motivation against his boyhood club.
Predicted XI
Arsenal probable line-up (4-2-3-1):
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
Brentford probable line-up (3-5-2):
Raya; Pinnock, Mee, Ajer; Hickey, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
Match Predictions
Arsenal have given us one reason after another to prove they’re more than just title contenders. Eddie Nketiah’s injury-time winner against Manchester United, Gabriel’s strike against Chelsea among other memories signify they’re capable of the Hollywood scripts, as well as the hard grafts. As difficult as they are to break down, Brentford might have to surrender this one.
Final score: Arsenal 1-0 Brentford
-Akarshak Roy
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Ank Kumar. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.