Brentford vs Arsenal – News and Probable Lineups

Arsenal, currently at the top of the Premier League, face a strange challenge as they head to the Gtech Community Stadium for a Thursday clash against the unexpected contenders Brentford.

While the Gunners have not lost in their last 12 midweek top-flight matches, they’ve struggled to secure a win or even find the back of the net in their last three Thursday encounters.

Match overview

Without the former key player Granit Xhaka, who shared a touching moment with Mikel Arteta in the center circle, Arsenal dominated Sunderland 3-0 last weekend, continuing their impressive form in February.

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice and Martin Zubimendi added another as Arsenal comfortably overcame their newly-promoted rivals, but their joy turned to disappointment when Manchester City made an incredible comeback at Anfield.

Nonetheless, Arteta’s side maintains a solid six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League standings. Their triumph last weekend marked the first moment they finished the day nine points clear atop the table since the 2003-04 Invincibles campaign – signs of fortune?

Having seemingly recovered from a problematic January, the Gunners have secured four consecutive victories across all competitions and have rediscovered their defensive solidity, recording three straight clean sheets against Sunderland, Leeds United, and Chelsea.

They are in a position to achieve four successive clean sheets for the first time since an 812-minute period without conceding in November. Furthermore, since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, they have avoided defeat in 19 out of 20 London derbies on the road.

This streak includes a 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year’s Day 2025, followed by a 2-0 win over Keith Andrews’s side in December, extending their unbeaten run against Thursday’s hosts to an impressive eight matches.

However, Arsenal shouldn’t expect an easy game against their European-ambitious opponents, particularly since Brentford returns to their home ground after two excellent away performances against Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Andrews’s side managed to secure a 1-0 victory at Villa Park and then stunned the Magpies with a 3-2 win in gameweek 25, where Igor Thiago netted his 17th goal of the Premier League season and Dango Ouattara scored a late winner.

Entering gameweek 26 in seventh position and just five points behind Manchester United in fourth – before the Red Devils face West Ham United – Brentford might find themselves less than eager to return home, having won five of their last six away matches across all competitions.

In contrast, the Bees have won only two of their last five home fixtures, failing to score in two of their last three at the Gtech Community Stadium, and facing another unusual negative sign.

Brentford has only lost back-to-back Premier League home games once since the start of the 2024-25 season, with the first defeat in that sequence occurring against Forest, while the second was their loss to Arsenal.

Team News

Neither Martin Odegaard (unspecified injury) nor Bukayo Saka (hip injury) appeared in the Arsenal squad during the match against Sunderland, and their availability for the London derby remains uncertain, but the often-private Arteta may not provide a definitive answer either way.

Arsenal will definitely be without Max Dowman (ankle injury) and Mikel Merino, who recently shared an image confirming his foot surgery, while Leandro Trossard is also a doubt due to a potential calf problem sustained last weekend.

Gabriel Martinelli is prepared to step in for Trossard, and Viktor Gyokeres is expected to replace Gabriel Jesus following his two goals against Sunderland, which made him the top scorer in the Premier League across all competitions since the beginning of the year (6).

Brentford’s head coach Andrews also has attacking absentees to consider for Thursday’s match, as Kevin Schade serves a two-match ban for his red card at Villa, and Reiss Nelson is unable to face his parent club but wouldn’t have started regardless.

Andrews is likely to retain the same strategy that led to the Bees’ success at St James’ Park, although Jordânia Henderson may have concerns about his place after being substituted after 56 minutes for Yehor Yarmoliuk.

The in-form Thiago enters the derby having found the net nine times in his last 10 top-flight home appearances, but the home team is still missing knee injuries Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Arsenal youth product Josh Dasilva.

Brentford probable starting XI:

Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Ajer, Henry; Janelt, Henderson; Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter; Thiago

Arsenal probable starting XI:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Brentford should not take a defensive stance against Arsenal, unlike many other teams, as Andrews’s side comes into this match with momentum following two significant victories and can play without trepidation against the league leaders.

Arteta’s streak of clean sheets may face a challenge on Thursday, but a revitalized Gunners attack has the potential to exploit any openings presented by their London rivals and maintain pressure on Manchester City for a bit longer.