Saturday’s all-London Premier League match-up pits leaders Arsenal and European hopefuls Brentford against each other at the Emirates Stadium.
After a jaw-dropping run of 13 straight league matches without losing (W11, D2), the Gunners suffered an underwhelming 1-0 defeat at Sean Dyche’s Everton last weekend.
However, fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur saved the day by dispatching their nearest title competitors Manchester City by the same scoreline, helping them preserve a five-point lead at the summit.
Back to the Emirates following last week’s defeat on the road, Mikel Arteta’s charges will draw confidence from an unbeaten nine-game home league record this term (W8, D1).
However, if there’s a side able to upset the odds and halt one of only two unbeaten home records in the 2022/23 Premier League season, it’s Thomas Frank’s Brentford.
No strangers to defying expectations, the Bees have toppled non-other than Man City and Liverpool during an impressive nine-game undefeated run in the top flight (W5, D4).
Even though standout striker Ivan Toney failed to get on the scoresheet, Frank’s team dismantled relegation-battling Southampton 3-0 at home last weekend, maintaining a six-point deficit on fifth-placed Spurs.
But Brentford’s European credentials are about to be severely tested as Arsenal aim to complete a league double against them following a comprehensive 3-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Match Preview
Arsenal
Having won their last seven London derbies in the Premier League, Arsenal are only two triumphs short of equalling an all-time club record dating back to 1989, so ambitions must be high in the home camp.
Even if they concede the opening goal, the Gunners should be unfazed, safe in the knowledge they have won all three home league outings after shipping the opener this season.
That scenario looks unlikely, though, as Arteta’s men have won both competitive home encounters against Brentford in the 21st century after breaking the deadlock.
Brentford
In addition to enjoying the second-longest unbeaten run in the Premier League behind Newcastle (16), Brentford have kept a clean sheet in their last three league fixtures.
Another shut-out would see them register four consecutive games without conceding as a top-flight side for the first time, last doing so in any division in July 2020 (5).
Ominously for Brentford, they have claimed just one win in their eight away meetings with Arsenal across all competitions (D3, L4), highlighting the size of the task at hand.
Arsenal vs Brentford Potential Line-ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Eddie Nketiah.
Brentford (4-3-3): David Raya; Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee, Rico Henry; Josh Dasilva, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen; Bryan Mbeumo, Ivan Toney, Wissa.
How to Watch?
Arsenal vs Brentford, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.
Arsenal vs Brentford Prediction
Brentford’s league form after the mid-season break has proved they’re no pushovers, but we still expect Arsenal to come out on top at home.
It won’t be a straightforward task for the hosts, as we also back the Bees to beat Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal 2-1 Brentford
