Premier League Match Preview – Title chasers Arsenal look to pile the pressure on their rivals when they host Brentford this weekend.
Arsenal have the chance to go top of the Premier League with a win over fellow Londoners Brentford, increasing the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City who meet the day after.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s fixture.
Premier League Match Preview – Arsenal vs Brentford:
Form
Arsenal: WWLWW
Last week Arsenal were playing catch up, but this weekend they will be the pace setters with a victory putting them top of the league. Either one of or both Manchester City and Liverpool will drop points on Sunday afternoon, paving the way for what is a golden opportunity for the Gunners.
Each side in the title race has their own merit. However, Arsenal are the league’s form side and are currently playing some of the best football they ever have. Monday’s demolition of Sheffield United meant they became the Premier League’s first-ever side to score 5+ goals in three consecutive away games.
All the action, on repeat ????
???? Experience yesterday’s 6-0 win all over again with our full match replay ????
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 6, 2024
Sandwiched in between those results was a 4-1 home victory against Newcastle United. The Gunners have been relentless in the league recently, knocking in 31 goals since the turn of the year, amongst a run of seven straight wins.
Their frailties were only shown once in that time period, losing 1-0 to FC Porto in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The return fixture against Porto is scheduled just three days after Brentford, but there’s no indication that boss Mikel Arteta will rest any of his first-team squad.
The Gunners have won eight of their last 10 home games, scoring 27 goals in the process. A win this weekend is vital, ahead of facing Manchester City at the Etihad on March 31.
As for team news, Arteta has played down any injury concerns for both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, despite the pair both leaving the field early on Monday night.
Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus both featured off the bench at Sheffield United as they look to find full fitness.
Brentford: WLLLD
Brentford have only won two of their last 10 matches on the road, and two of their 15 matches in competitions. Fears of a relegation battle are rumbling amongst their supporters as their bad form edges them ever closer to the bottom three.
On paper Saturday’s tie is a worrying affair for them, but they may not see it like that. So often the giant killers, the Bees rarely shy away from a challenge.
With their backs against the wall they have come up with some top performances, and some would argue they deserved to take all three points away from Chelsea last weekend.
However, with the sheer volume of their injury list, any sort of late season revival looks in doubt. They missed Ivan Toney for the entire first half of the season, and when the England forward returned to their squad, others dropped like flies.
Their most noticeable absentee is Bryan Mbeumo, who scored seven league goals before his ankle injury.
On Saturday, The Bees will remain without a whole host of their first-team squad. Sitting in the stands with Mbeumo will be Ethan Pinnock, Kevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, Ben Mee, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva.
Previous Meetings
The two clubs have barely any history with each other, meeting just 19 times. Arsenal have been victorious in this fixture eight times, compared to Brentford’s six.
The Bees have never won at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and have only won away at Arsenal once in their entire history. This was back in 1938.
The Gunners have also had the better of the recent history. Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021 they have only beaten Arsenal once in all competitions.
The two sides have met twice already this season. Once in the league and once in the League Cup. Both matches ended 1-0 to Arsenal, with Kai Havertz getting a late winner in the league and Reiss Nelson scoring an early winner in the cup contest.
Predicted Line-ups
Arsenal: Ramsdale: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Brentford: Flekken; Zanka, Ajer, Collins; Roerslev, Onyeka, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon; Wissa, Toney.
Who is the referee?
Rob Jones.
Is the game on TV?
UK – Sky Sports Main Event.
What time is Kick-off?
17:30 GMT, Saturday 9th March.
Odds
Arsenal – 1/4
Draw – 11/2
Brentford 10/1
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