Premier League 2022-23: Arsenal vs Brentford: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, preview
The league leaders host the Bees in the Premier League on Saturday
Arsenal suffered a massive setback in the quest for their Premier League title as they went down 1-0 to relegation-battling Everton. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners retain a healthy advantage at the top of the table as they chase their first league title in 19 years. Mikel Arteta’s side was excellent the last time they met; prevailing 3-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium in one of their performance of the season. Arsenal heads into Saturday’s game five points clear of Manchester City and with a game in hand.
Arsenal has lost their last two games the loss to City in the FA Cup and then to Everton whereas Brentford has managed to keep a clean sheet in their previous three outings. The North London side is still very much the favourite to win on Saturday but the away side is undefeated in their last 9 matches in the Premier League so an upset is very much on the cards. Also, the Bees head into Saturday’s game seventh in the table and with genuine European aspirations.
Kick-off:
11-02-2023; 3:00 PM(GMT), 8:30 PM(IST)
Arsenal Form (All Competitions): L-W-W-D-W
Brentford Form (All Competitions): W-D-W-W-W
Players to Watch
Arsenal
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka has played as a CB, DLP, LB, and also in a pivot and now excelling as a box-to-box midfielder. The way Xhaka is always fit has to be studied, man is a cheat code. He is so fit that he is never rested even when other senior players are rested, such is the confidence of his manager in his fitness levels. He is a proper leader in his team and is currently in red-hot form.
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney, like other world-class strikers, has the know-how to consistently find himself receiving balls into the box with space around him, due to his ability to find the free space. A factor which helps separate Ivan Toney from other technically superior centre forwards is his ability to strike the ball with enormous power. Toney has a certain gravity to him, which attracts defenders due to his reputation, and provides his teammates with more time and space to receive the ball. Another key quality Toney possesses is his ability to remain calm under pressure, no matter the situation. Ivan Toney doesn’t get phased by a lunging or a sliding player, and neither does he get rushed into making a decision. Also, what sets Toney up to the elite bracket, with a skill only the top strikers possess, is his awareness of everything that’s going on.
Match Facts
- Brentford average scored 1.48 goals per match in season 2023. In 14 (82.35%) matches played away were total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (58.82%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
- Arsenal in actual season average scored 2.22 goals per match. In 15 (83.33%) matches played at home were total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 14 (77.78%) matches in season 2023 played at home were total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Injury and team news
The manager has only a handful of injuries which is a very good sign because he is working with a very small squad this season. Emile Smith Rowe is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s game and he’ll join Mohamed Elneny on the sidelines. Reiss Nelson, however, could be back in action after returning to training last week. The winger’s been sidelined since Christmas and his return would be welcome.
Frank revealed ahead of last weekend’s victory against Southampton that both Pontus Jansson and Frank Onyeka, who are nursing hamstring injuries, were edging closer to their respective returns. However, neither is expected to start this weekend.
Head-to-head stats
Matches: 4
Arsenal: 3
Draws: 0
Brentford: 1
Predicted Lineup
Arsenal's Starting Lineup(4-3-3):
Ramsdale; White, Zinchenko, Gabriel, William Saliba; Thomas Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Brentford Starting Lineup(3-5-2):
Raya; Ajer, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney.
Prediction
Brentford is on a roll, and their knack for stifling the big boys is no coincidence. The Bees are superbly coached, and they’re the sort of side that Arteta’s men could struggle against. Also, the Gunners, who may be reeling after the Goodison Park debacle, will have to mitigate the visitors’ distinct threat in transition and from set pieces.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Telecast
India - Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 2 and Hotstar
Nigeria - Sporty TV
US - NBC Sports
UK - BT Sports
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