Mikel Arteta stays assured in his Arsenal aspect adapting to life with out injured talisman Bukayo Saka forward of their New Yr’s Day journey to Brentford.
Arsenal make the quick journey to the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium on Wednesday, recent off the again of a slim 1-0 win over Ipswich City.
That win got here earlier than Liverpool’s thrashing of West Ham on Sunday, leaving Arsenal 9 factors behind Arne Slot’s league leaders.
Arteta should seek out Liverpool within the title race with out Saka, who’s prone to miss “greater than two months” with a hamstring damage”, although he has each religion in his squad.
“It’s all the time essential as a result of as nicely with Bukayo that doesn’t imply that we’re going to attain three or 4 targets each sport,” Arteta mentioned of profitable with out Saka concerned.
“So we now have to depend on the workforce. That’s the most important power of us.
“We by no means depend on a person scoring 25, 30 targets and we now have managed to be very, very aggressive nonetheless and we’re going to handle to try this.”
Constructing as much as Brentford
Sobha Realty Coaching Centre pic.twitter.com/865BZOSa00
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2024
Brentford are winless of their final three league video games after a hard-fought goalless draw with Brighton that noticed first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken limp off within the first half.
Ben Mee additionally suffered an damage setback within the stalemate on the south coast, although Brentford supervisor Thomas Frank hopes to have Flekken accessible, a minimum of, for Wednesday.
“[Christian] Norgaard isn’t any downside and may play in opposition to Arsenal,” Frank mentioned on Monday. “Ben Mee has a minor muscle damage and might be out for a few weeks.
“Mark Flekken is extra constructive, nonetheless too early to say he’ll play in opposition to Arsenal, however he can perhaps, hopefully, be accessible.
“However I’m in little question that [Hakon Valdimarsson] might be greater than prepared for his first Premier League begin, if wanted. He did very nicely in opposition to Brighton and I used to be more than happy along with his efficiency.”
Thomas Frank will welcome two gamers again into the squad on Wednesday with ‘constructive’ information on an additional duo
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 30, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has been concerned in 14 targets in his final 15 Premier League London derby matches (12 targets, two assists).
The Brentford ahead has not discovered the web in his final two league outings however nonetheless has 10 targets from 18 top-flight video games this season, and can fancy including to his tally right here.
Arsenal – David Raya
Arsenal haven’t saved a clear sheet in any of their final seven Premier League away video games, having recorded 9 shutouts of their earlier 10 on the street.
Their defensive struggles on the street might depart David Raya uncovered – although the previous Brentford man’s 73.7% save proportion is barely behind Robert Sanchez’s 74.36% amongst all Premier League goalkeepers to function 5 or extra occasions this season.
MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN
Arsenal are the heavy favourites for one more London derby victory on the Gtech, contemplating their latest kind and head-to-head report.
Brentford are winless of their final 5 top-flight clashes in opposition to Arsenal (D1 L4) since opening their first-ever Premier League marketing campaign with a 2-0 house victory over Arteta’s aspect again in August 2021.
Certainly, Arsenal have received their final three away video games in opposition to Brentford in all competitions with out conceding a single objective – a report that Arteta will hope to proceed right here.
Nevertheless, Arsenal haven’t received 4 consecutive away video games in opposition to an opponent whereas holding a clear sheet every time since a run between 2003 and 2008 in opposition to Sunderland.
Brentford even have a powerful report of their first league fixture of a calendar 12 months, profitable every of their final 5 such matches, so all hope just isn’t misplaced for Frank’s hosts.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brentford win – 17.1%
Draw – 20.9%
Arsenal win – 62.1%