Brentford-Arsenal is a League Cup third-round match to be played on Wednesday at 8:45pm: stats, line-ups and predictions.
The North London derby left Arsenal with a hint of regret. Against historical rivals Tottenham last Sunday, the Gunners did not go beyond a draw, the second of the season after the one against Fulham (another London club).
A 2-2 draw that tasted like a missed opportunity, as Odegaard and his team-mates were twice caught by South Korean Son, returning to show some defensive cracks after two clean sheets in a row. Against Spurs Mikel Arteta also lost two starters: the first, Trossard, was injured a few minutes before coming on; the second, Rice, was forced off at the start of the second half with an injury. The player who took over from him, Jorginho, failed to make the former West Ham player miss: Tottenham’s second goal came from a mistake by the Italo-Brazilian director. Also for this reason, the Gunners’ coach will try to widen the rotation as much as possible in the third round of the League Cup against Brentford (another derby), deploying several second lines. The League Cup, in fact, has never been high on Arsenal’s wish list, as they have only won it once in the last 12 seasons: last year the Londoners were eliminated in the third round, surrendering to De Zerbi’s Brighton.
An underwhelming start to the season for the Bees
The cup could instead be a chance for the Bees, who are coming off two Premier League defeats in a row, against Newcastle and Everton.
Brentford’s Wissa celebrates with fans
Thomas Frank’s Brentford, the revelation of the last two championships, is actually not thrilling: in the first six days there has been only one win, in the derby against Fulham, against two defeats and three draws. On Saturday, the Bees, losing 3-1 to the Toffees at the Community Stadium, cashed in their third home defeat of 2023. An unusual result, considering that at home the red and whites are usually able to make themselves indigestible to anyone. Frank has a few problems in attack as he is forced to do without striker Toney, who has been disqualified for football offences: he is likely to ask Wissa and Mbeumo, both of whom will start on the pitch from the first day against Everton, to work overtime.
The Prediction
Arteta’s heavy turnover could make this certainly more uncertain League Cup derby more interesting. The Gunners remain favourites but Brentford should be able to score at least one goal.
Brentford-Arsenal’s likely line-up
- BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Strakosha; Roerslev, Zanka, Ajer, Hickey; Onyeka, Janelt, Ghoddos; Lewis-Potter, Mbeumo, Wissa.
- ARSENAL (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Cedric, Saliba, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Havertz, Elneny, Jorginho; Nelson, Nketiah, Smith Rowe.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
