League leaders Arsenal aim to return to winning ways after losing 1-0 to Everton in their last Premier League engagement. Lucky for them, that loss did not change their position on the Premier League table.
Arsenal, who have been on blistering form have had their title charge slightly dented in the last five games, having won only three of those matches.
While speaking to the media this afternoon, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta was asked whether the previous two losses (including the defeat to Man City in the FA Cup) will impact their math against Brentford tomorrow. His response was a firm no.
In the same conference, Arteta talked about the challenges Brentford will pose to his team.
“Many different ones – the ones they put in every week to every single opponent. The level or where they are sitting at the table doesn’t matter – they are extremely efficient at what they do, with a very clear way of playing and generating advantages, overloads and sequences of play. That they want to do. 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.”
Arsenal have only lost two matches this season but Brentford, who currently sit seventh on the table, have punished each of the top six teams aside from Arsenal. Brentford have not lost a single match in their last nine matches.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank acknowledged Arsenal’s strength first, before reiterating the firm belief he has in his players to put up a fierce fight at the Emirates.
“I’m always positive and always believe we can win but we are facing Arsenal, top of the league. After we lost 3-0 against them at home, I said Arsenal could win the league and since then they’ve only gone from strength to strength,” Frank said, as tweeted by Brentford.
He added, “I hope teams respect us for what we are capable of. In this group of players, there are a lot of strong characters. They have been growing as individuals. It’s a good feeling going into a game knowing that if we top perform, we can do something.”
Team news
Arsenal are without longterm absentees Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Mohammed Elneny, and Gabriel Jesus. Arteta gave an update on their return, and it is not as soon as Arsenal fans would probably like. All other players are available for selection.
There are no new injury worries at Brentford.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace will host Brighton and Hove Albion at Selhurst Park in a match where Brighton look to maintain they stay in the top six, while Crystal Palace want to bounce back from the narrow loss against Manchester United last week.
