Arsenal-Brentford is a match valid for the twenty-third day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 16:00: TV, formations, predictions.
If Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side’s intent, on the eve of the recent FA Cup clash, was to upset the balance at Arsenal, then it can be said that the operation was perfectly successful. The defeat against the Citizens in the cup – decided by a goal of the defender Aké – was surprisingly followed by another one, this time in the league, against the third-last Everton, in full crisis and after a change of coach.
Never before this season have the Gunners lost two games in a row, without scoring a single goal. The last false step in the Premier League dates back to last September, again away, against Manchester United. The one – absolutely unforeseeable – at Goodison Park, however, clashes with the championship that Mikel Arteta’s team is doing, which until now had never missed such matches. Arsenal certainly did not offer one of their best performances at home to the Toffees, but they were physically outclassed by a technically inferior opponent. A ‘telltale’ not to be overlooked as we approach the climax of the tournament, where the slightest mistake risks becoming fatal.
The Gunners are still unbeaten at home
Unfortunately for the Spanish coach, Manchester City did not take advantage of the Londoners’ slip-up, losing narrowly (1-0) to Tottenham and leaving the gap in the table unchanged. Arsenal are still five points ahead of the Citizens, but they still have a match to make up in comparison.
Frank
The Prediction
Arsenal are still unbeaten at home – a record they share with Newcastle – and the warmth of their home crowd will be vital to lift their spirits after their first double defeat of the season between cup and league. Brentford, however, are a really tough customer, ready to sell their skin dearly. Thomas Frank’s Bees should be able to pierce the Gunners’ goal on at least one occasion.
Arsenal-Brentford
likely line-ups
- ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus.
- BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
