Arsenal vs Brentford: Preview, starting XI, likely winner

Arsenal vs Brentford on Saturday afternoon is a significant match.

League leaders, Arsenal meet seventh-placed Brentford at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners seek to return to winning ways.

Arsenal fell 1-0 at the hands of struggling Everton in their last outing and are expected to bounce back immediately to keep their hopes of winning the title strong.

However, the defeat became only a minor setback to Mikel Arteta’s side as Manchester City failed to pounce on the advantage to close the gap to just two points.

Manchester City were beaten by the same goal margin by Tottenham Hotspur, thereby helping the Gunners sustain their 5-point lead.

However, the game against Brentford on Saturday could be Arsenal’s way of showing the spirit of real title contenders.

Thomas Frank’s Brentford have drawn just one of their last three matches, winning two, including a 2-0 win over Bournemouth and last weekend’s 3-0 thrashing of Southampton.

They go into Saturday’s clash against the league leaders with better confidence and would be looking to cause more upset.

Speaking of the challenge Manchester City could pose to Arsenal’s lead in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta told the press on Friday “Many different ones – the ones they put in every week to every single opponent.”

“That will be the game tomorrow and we’ll need to be at our best in every single phase, because they can create issues from anywhere on the field,” the Spaniard said.

Brentford boss, on his part, believes they can win against Arsenal but insisted that his side will need to put in extra effort to beat the league leaders.

“I always believe that we can win, but – and it is a big but – we are facing Arsenal who are top of the league,” Frank said.

“We will probably need the best performance we have ever put out in a Premier League game.”

Arsenal will be without Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus, who are recovering from various degrees of injuries.

For Brentford, they will miss the services of Frank Onyeka, who is recovering from a thigh injury. Also sidelined are Pontus Jansson (thigh Injury), Shandon Baptiste (Groin/Hip/Pelvic Injury), Thomas Strakosha (Ankle/Foot Injury).

Arsenal lineup:

(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah.

Brentford lineup:

(3-5-2): Raya; Zanka, Pinnock, Mee; Roerslev, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry, Mbeumo, Toney.

Arsenal will likely win this to keep their title hopes alive as another slip up will not be good for Mikel Arteta’s title chasers.