Arsenal have a good historical record against Brentford and have won 10 out of the 21 matches

Arsenal can close the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool this Saturday when they take on Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are unlikely to produce an astonishing turnaround as table toppers Liverpool edge closer to the title, but they can apply some light pressure to the Reds this weekend. With Arne Slot’s side not in action until Sunday at home to West Ham United, victory against Brentford will see Arsenal cut the deficit to eight points.

Of course, Arsenal’s attention remains firmly fixed on the Champions League after their astounding 3-0 win against Real Madrid midweek. The return leg of the quarter-finals will be staged on Wednesday and despite their impressive cushion, the Gunners can afford no complacency heading to the Spanish capital given the European record of Los Blancos.

Brentford have comparatively little to play for between now and the end of the term, with brief European hopes having all but vanished. The Bees have stumbled in their pursuit of the Conference League or better over recent matches and have won just one of their last five Premier League encounters.

Arsenal’s victory over Madrid was not without its drawbacks as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were withdrawn due to knocks in the closing stages. While both are expected to be in the squad, Mikel Arteta may rest them and others at the weekend.

The Gunners are without three defenders for Brentford’s visit as Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all injured, while the forward duo of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Merino; Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli.

Brentford welcomed Rico Henry back to the matchday squad last weekend as the long-term absentee continues to build up his fitness, but Thomas Frank has a number of absentees elsewhere.
Igor Thiago, Gustavo Nunes, Aaron Hickey, Joshua Dasilva and Fabio Carvalho are all sidelined.

Brentford will be reliant on the attacking ingenuity of their forward line to hurt Arsenal’s stern defence on the counter-attack, with Bryan Mbeumo of particular significance. The powerful Cameroon international scored in the reverse fixture and remains their greatest threat.

Brentford predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa.