Arsenal
The loss may have stung, and some Arsenal supporters may feel they missed an opportunity to secure a win against Everton last weekend. However, others argue that the defeat against Manchester City has lessened the blow of their own loss, keeping Arsenal in the same standing as before, with the added advantage of one less League match to play as they pursue their first Premier League championship in nearly two decades.
This is a crucial week for Arsenal, particularly with the upcoming home game, which many consider to be of greater importance. The Gunners currently have a five-point lead over Manchester City and hold a game in hand, giving them the opportunity to increase the pressure on their main title rivals when they play this weekend. Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a strong reaction from his team after their defeat at Goodison Park, and Arsenal’s 8-1-0 record at the Emirates Stadium is a testament to their home field advantage.
Last month, Arsenal secured a 3-2 victory over Manchester United with a late goal, but since then, they have suffered consecutive 1-0 losses on the road at Manchester City and Everton. The late winner against Manchester United was significant, as Arsenal had previously dropped two points in their home League game against Newcastle United.
Players Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus are still unavailable. To compensate for their absence, some rotation of the starting lineup may be necessary, with Leandro Trossard among those who may be included from the beginning.
Arsenal Last 5 Results
04/02/23. 13:30 Everton – Arsenal 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) Premier League
27/01/23. 21:00 Manchester City – Arsenal 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) FA Cup
22/01/23. 17:30 Arsenal – Manchester United 3 : 2 (1 : 1) (2 : 1) Premier League
15/01/23. 17:30 Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal 0 : 2 (0 : 2) (0 : 0) Premier League
09/01/23. 21:00 Oxford United – Arsenal 0 : 3 (0 : 0) (0 : 3) FA Cup
Brentford
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Brentford is on the cusp of realizing a long-standing dream of bringing European Football to West London. Although they have previously participated in the Anglo-Italian Cup, achieving a place in one of the major European competitions would be a tremendous accomplishment for the club. The hopes of achieving this feat at the end of this season are genuine.
Presently, Brentford stands at 7th in the Premier League table, just six points behind 5th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and with a game in hand. Despite the promising position, finding the consistency to qualify for Europe will be a tough challenge, especially on the road, where their top-flight record stands at 2-5-3.
Although Brentford experienced a loss in the Third Round of the FA Cup, their 3-0 victory over Southampton last weekend extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to nine fixtures, with four wins in their last five League games. In addition, they have remained undefeated in their last four away Premier League games, having won back-to-back trips to Manchester City and West Ham United before settling for a goalless draw at Leeds United.
The availability of Pontus Jansson, Shandon Baptiste, and Frank Onyeka will depend on the results of their fitness tests.
Brentford Last 5 Results
04/02/23. 16:00 Brentford – Southampton 3 : 0 (2 : 0) (1 : 0) Premier League
22/01/23. 15:00 Leeds United – Brentford 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0) Premier League
14/01/23. 18:30 Brentford – AFC Bournemouth 2 : 0 (1 : 0) (1 : 0) Premier League
07/01/23. 18:30 Brentford – West Ham United 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1) FA Cup
02/01/23. 18:30 Brentford – Liverpool 3 : 1 (2 : 0) (1 : 1) Premier League
Head to Head
In September, a fantastic display by Arsenal resulted in a well-deserved 0-3 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Last season, Arsenal defeated Brentford 2-1 at home, and in 2018, they also claimed a 3-1 win in the League Cup, having previously hosted Brentford at Highbury in 1946.
Premier League
18/09/22, 13:00 Brentford – Arsenal 0 : 3 (0 : 2) (0 : 1)
19/02/22, 16:00 Arsenal – Brentford 2 : 1 (0 : 0) (2 : 1)
13/08/21, 21:00 Brentford – Arsenal 2 : 0 (1 : 0) (1 : 0)
TWV Sport Team Thoughts
Respect in football is not easily gained, but Brentford has earned it with their well-run operations, similar to that of the successful club Brighton. They are a team that will prove to be a formidable challenge for all their opponents.
Just ask Manchester City, who were defeated 1-2 by Brentford earlier this season. Now, Brentford will aim to disrupt Arsenal’s Premier League title race as well.
Two consecutive away losses for Arsenal may have impacted their confidence, but they have had ample time to prepare for this match, which could be considered even more crucial than the highly anticipated Wednesday night game against Manchester City. Arsenal will look to at least preserve their current lead over the Champions ahead of that fixture.
Mikel Arteta hopes to see a response to the lacklustre display at Everton, and the home field advantage at the Emirates Stadium might give him reason to be optimistic. Arsenal have been dominant on their home turf this season, and they are expected to dictate play in this Premier League match.
However, Brentford cannot be underestimated as they have been formidable in recent weeks with a nine-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. They have demonstrated their prowess with victories over Manchester City and West Ham United, but their form on the road has been somewhat inconsistent, with a second-best performance against Leeds United.
Brentford possess players who can pose a threat to Arsenal, but they won’t simply defend and limit their offensive play. This might work in Arsenal’s favour, and with their potent attack at the Emirates Stadium, it’s hard to bet against the home team.
There are some reservations regarding Arsenal’s recent form, but they had a full week of preparation for this game and that should give them an advantage. Playing at home in front of their fans is a major plus and they have previously defeated Brentford in their last two Premier League encounters.
If Arsenal manage to score the opening goal, it would relieve some of the pressure on them and allow them to play with more freedom. They would then be able to secure the victory by scoring more goals. Although Brentford’s attacking approach to games could result in them playing a part, Arsenal have the consistent players in the attacking third to turn their recent fortunes around.
Match Result Prediction
Arsenal to win.
Score Prediction
Arsenal 3 – 1 Brentford
