Arsenal welcome Brentford to Emirates Stadium in a huge London derby clash.
Victory will see Arsenal extend their title lead to eight points, whilst Brentford can go sixth with a win if Brighton fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Reiss Nelson could return for Arsenal after recovering from a lengthy thigh injury.
Emile Smith Rowe (quad) is a doubt but Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus (both knee) remain absent.
Brentford could welcome Frank Onyeka (hamstring) and Shandon Baptiste (adductor) back into contention.
Goalkeeper, Thomas Strakosha however is ruled out with a knee injury.
Pontus Jansson (hamstring) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Brentford at Emirates Stadium in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 11 February, untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in two of their three previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (W2, L1).
- Brentford lost 2-1 in their only previous Premier League visit to Arsenal in Feburary 2022.
- Both teams have kept one clean sheet apiece in their three previous Premier League meetings.
- Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet in three London derbies at home so far this season (W3).
- Brentford’s Ivan Toney has scored in two of Brentford’s three away London derbies so far this season (W1, D1, L1), netting at Fulham and West Ham respectively.
Prediction
Having suffered narrow defeats in their last two matches in all competitions albeit away from home, this is now a huge chance for Arsenal to reset on home turf and try to rediscover their clinical edge after luckily retaining their five-point lead.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though are going to have to show more patience and ruthless touch in their end product than was evident last weekend at Everton, especially because they will again be facing a top goalkeeper – this time in the form of David Raya.
Brentford meanwhile were absolutely brilliant in their win over Southampton with very little put wrong, aside from a sloppy end product early in the first half which ultimately improved, although they will this time have to be pitch perfect throughout if want a result here.
I am therefore expecting a tough competitive battle between two strong teams but Arsenal are coming into this game under pressure following two defeats, whereas Brentford are proving dangerous opposition and should believe that they can spring another surprise against a top team.
Arsenal’s home fans though should just about motivate their team over the line in a game which I am tipping to be fiercely entertaining.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Brentford
Result: Arsenal 1-1 Brentford