Arsenal will host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday. On Monday night, Mikel Arteta’s rogue warriors destroyed Sheffield United 6-0. Earlier in the evening, the Bees and Chelsea, their neighbors in West London, shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Preview (Arsenal vs. Brentford)
As Arsenal continues to shatter Premier League defenses, some of its top-flight competitors may be investigating mid-season trips to Dubai. During Monday’s victorious stay at Bramall Lane, the Gunners scored 31 goals from seven Premier League games in 2024. After just 25 minutes, the dejected Blades supporters headed straight for the exits. At that point, Arteta’s team was up 4 goals to 1, thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Jayden Bogle. Declan Rice’s excellent finish completed their five-star performance just before halftime.
After destroying Burnley and West Ham United in their previous two away games, Ben White’s left-footed strike, a collector’s item for the right-back, sealed Arsenal’s joint-biggest away win in league history. The Gunners also became the first team in English league history to win three straight-away games by at least a five-goal margin.
With 23 goals shipped at the other end, Arsenal already had the best record of its kind. Hitting Sheffield United for six goals also means that none of the other 19 teams can match Arsenal’s incredible 68 goals and +45 goal difference. Another convincing victory would be the ideal prelude to next week’s pivotal Champions League last-16 second leg against Porto. Additionally, six goals were scored in Brentford’s most recent away game against West Ham United. A 4-2 thumping that condemned Thomas Frank’s struggling team to their third straight Premier League defeat. However, the Bees were able to temporarily halt the bleeding when Chelsea visited town. However, with 83 minutes remaining, Axel Disasi reached the back stick to salvage a draw for the Blues.
Team News
Thomas Partey made his first appearance since October during Arsenal’s rout of Sheffield United. It was after an almost five-month absence due to a bothersome thigh ailment. However, neither Bukayo Saka nor Martinelli played the entire ninety minutes because of illnesses and cuts to their feet, respectively. Saka should be back in time for the weekend, but with the Porto match on the horizon, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Arteta start Gabriel Jesus or Leandro Trossard instead of Martinelli, who hasn’t played since recovering from his most recent knee injury. ACL injury Julien Timber may be one of just two confirmed absences for the hosts due to the potential returns of Takehiro Tomiyasu (knock) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf).
Consequently, Aaron Ramsdale will start against Brentford, who, in comparison, did not sustain any new injuries during their draw with Chelsea. However, none of Frank’s seven injured players will be back in action before the international break. Apart from Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Kevin Schade (groin), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Rico Henry (knee), and Josh Dasilva (knee), they are all still recovering. Frank also broke the bad news that Ben Mee would miss the entire season due to an ankle fracture. Wissa should be chosen over Arsenal’s rival Neal Maupay to partner Gunners-linked striker Ivan Toney, who scored the thrilling equalizer at the Emirates last season, because of his incredible goal last weekend.
Arsenal 4-1 Brentford
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