With the first Premier League clash of 2025 fast approaching, Arsenal are preparing to make the short journey across London to face rivals Brentford. Expectations are high for the Gunners, who are eager to reignite their title dreams against a Bees side plagued by injury concerns.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, sit nine points behind Liverpool at the halfway point of the season but appear to be gaining momentum with an impressive eight-game unbeaten run. Their recent form includes a resounding 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and a tough 1-0 success over Ipswich, whose surprise win over Chelsea highlighted the competitive nature of the league.
Brentford, on the other hand, have one of the best home records in the league, with seven wins, one draw and just one defeat in nine games. However, they face a daunting task as injuries pile up within the team, and there are concerns about their recent performances. The Bees have recorded just one win in their last five league games, struggling against higher-ranked teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
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Recent outings have seen Thomas Frank’s men drop points, most notably in a disappointing 0-0 draw against Brighton, where they were outclassed on penalties 24-8. This poses a problem against Arsenal, who are likely to capitalize on the slightest defensive errors. Despite setbacks due to injuries, Brentford’s attacking trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Kevin Schade, and Yoane Wissa could pose problems for the Gunners.
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Although the Bees had a good goalscoring record at the start of the season, they recently faltered in a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, ending a run of games where they scored in their first eight games at residence. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s away form has seen them concede goals in nine of their last ten competitive matches, indicating that the goals should pile up in this encounter.
Statistically, Brentford’s nine home league games have averaged over 4.5 goals, making this fixture one to watch for fans of attacking football. Arsenal’s firepower, even in the absence of Bukayo Saka, should provide them with ample opportunities to secure three points in their quest for league leaders Liverpool.
In terms of team news, Brentford’s injury list includes Ben Mee, Igor Thiago, and Kristoffer Ajer, among others, although goalkeeper Mark Flekken is close to returning. Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without key contributors such as Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The probable line-ups for the match are as follows:
Brentford (4-2-3-1) : The stain; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter ; Janelt, Norgaard ; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade ; Whisa.
Arsenal (4-3-3) : Raya ; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly ; Odegaard, Partey, Rice ; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
Punters can consider various options, such as both teams scoring, given that in Brentford’s last ten Premier League home games, both teams have often found the net.
Additionally, keep an eye on Martin Odegaard, who could take the lead in Saka’s absence; he recorded four shots on target against Ipswich recently. Kai Havertz is another player to watch, having found the net in five of Arsenal’s last eight fixtures and scoring against Brentford last season.
In the betting market, these odds are attractive at 8-1 with bet365.
