Arsenal will look to maintain their momentum as they head to Brentford for a significant Premier League clash on Wednesday January 1, 2025. With Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling absent from training sessions, the Gunners are set to face a team from Brentford in difficulty at home but capable of producing surprises.
Following their recent success, Arsenal climbed to second place in the Premier League table following a narrow 1-0 victory over Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium last Friday. Mikel Arteta’s men currently sit six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Although Ipswich were lower placed, they had managed to secure two wins from their last three away games, but they were completely dominated in the first half at North London. Arsenal’s defense held firm, and Ipswich failed to register any contact in the Gunners’ box for the first 45 minutes. Arsenal’s Declan Rice played a key role in controlling the midfield, allowing his teammates to create several scoring chances.
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The only goal of the match came from Kai Havertz, who scored a precise shot following a cross from Leandro Trossard midway through the first half. Chances abounded for Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus to increase the Gunners’ lead, but none of them found the net again.
“Every game is a tough game because teams come to fight. We’re proud of the effort and today’s result,” Havertz said after the game, emphasizing the competitive nature of the league.
Currently, Arsenal are one point ahead of third-placed Chelsea and maintain a two-point advantage over Nottingham Forest, who sit in a surprise fourth place.
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On the other hand, it was a disappointing evening for Brentford in their recent encounter against Brighton, failing to break a six-game winless run after a goalless draw. Although the Bees had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside, they struggled to challenge young Brighton goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who was thrown into the deep end due to an injury to Mark Flekken.
Brentford’s struggles are compounded by their poor away form, sharing the record for the league’s worst performance with seven defeats and two draws. Their inability to convert chances, especially with Julio Enciso missing several opportunities, reflects the team’s struggle for consistency.
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A small ray of sunshine for Brentford was the return of winger Solly March, who made his first appearance in 14 months after recovering from a knee injury suffered against Manchester City.
As the match approaches, fans are eager to follow the action. For those who want to watch the game, fuboTV offers an excellent live streaming service for sports, including football from around the world. With packages starting at $79.99, including 55,000 live events per year and unlimited DVR, you can enjoy extensive sports coverage, including the Premier League. New users can benefit from a 7-day free trial, with the first month priced at just $44.99.
