Brentford vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries

01/01/2025 02:00 AM

Arsenal will look to kickstart the New Year in style and close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table when they face Brentford today.

Mikel Arteta’s side picked up much-needed wins against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town over the Christmas period after their disappointing 0-0 draw with Everton earlier in December.

And another win on Wednesday would move them back up into second and just six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool at the halfway stage of the season.

Thomas Frank’s side, meanwhile, are winless in their last four games in all competitions and have not won any of their previous five encounters with the Gunners.

Five days on from their clash with Ipswich, Arteta appears to have no new injury concerns but may consider some tactical switches for Wednesday’s clash

Riccardo Calafiori could be one that comes back into the starting lineup having missed out entirely against Ipswich.

The Italian made his return from injury against Crystal Palace on December 21 but the impressive form of Myles Lewis-Skelly may see the youngster retain his spot in the team.

Kai Havertz has played the last two games in a deeper, midfield role but Arteta may be tempted to bring in some more physicality against Brentford.

Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey both started on the bench last time out but could replace the German alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Gabriel Jesus drew a blank last time out but his recent form may warrant another start, while Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are expected to flank the Brazillian in the absence of Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.

Speaking after the win over Ipswich, Arteta confirmed that Saka is set for an extended spell on the sidelines but was optimistic that he could welcome Sterling back into the fold sooner rather than later.

‘[Saka] had a procedure. Everything went well. But, unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks,’ he said.

‘The news with Raz, I think it’s better. We have to see this week how he evolves.

‘But we expected it, the knee injury, to probably take longer than actually the way the knee is evolving in the last few days. So, hopefully that’s good because we need him.’

Elsewhere, the Gunners are also without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the match against Brentford, with both defenders dealing with longer-term knee issues.

Predicted Arsenal XI to face Brentford

Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Where to watch Brentford vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel

Brentford vs Arsenal kicks off at 5.30pm on Wednesday, January 1.

Live coverage is available on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 4.30pm UK time. You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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