By Graham Ruthven
European distraction
Tuesday evening was momentous for Arsenal as they put Actual Madrid to the sword within the Champions League quarter-finals. Nevertheless, the job isn’t performed with the second leg in Spain subsequent week.
This might see Mikel Arteta rotate his workforce as he did in opposition to Everton final week. Arsenal aren’t going to catch Liverpool on the high of the Premier League desk and are comfy within the high 5. It might make sense to prioritise Europe at this level.
Brentford have gained simply considered one of their final 5 league video games and are shedding floor of their efforts to safe a top-half end. Nonetheless, the Bees can match anybody on their day and had been a late Kai Havertz winner away from some extent on the Emirates Stadium final season.
The 2024/25 Premier League season is really fizzling out for each Arsenal and Brentford and this weekend’s assembly on the Emirates Stadium might replicate that.
Key gamers
Arteta might flip to Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling to maintain Arsenal recent within the attacking third. The pair began in opposition to Everton and could possibly be in line for an additional look as Arsenal put together for the journey to Madrid subsequent week.
Mikel Merino might need to go once more because of an absence of centre ahead choices. The Spaniard has scored 5 targets in his final seven video games as a centre ahead and will enhance that tally in opposition to Brentford. Leandro Trossard could possibly be another choice to steer the road.
Jorginho could possibly be one other depth choice given a chance from the beginning. The Italian midfielder would give Arsenal management on the ball within the centre of the pitch which might assist mitigate a few of the results of fatigue from Tuesday evening.
Thomas Frank will arrange his Brentford facet to play in fast transition. This can place an emphasis on the likes of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo to get ahead at tempo when there may be the chance.
Keane Lewis-Potter was spectacular within the goalless draw in opposition to Chelsea and will damage Arsenal down the appropriate facet. Christian Nørgaard additionally has the flexibility to make an impression in central midfield on each side of the ball.
Workforce information
Havertz will miss the remainder of the season by means of damage for Arsenal, as is Gabriel Magalhães whose absence might shake the Gunners in a defensive sense. The Brazilian is an enormous miss, though Jakub Kiwior has deputised nicely as William Saliba’s centre again associate.
Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all sidelined, however Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are again. With the Actual Madrid recreation looming, although, Arteta would possibly relaxation his two greatest wingers.
Josh Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago are lacking by means of damage for Brentford. In any other case, Frank could have a full squad to choose from for the weekend go to to North London.
Prediction
A rotated Arsenal facet ought to do sufficient to maintain the Premier League title race alive for an additional week, with a Gunners’ second string conserving momentum up earlier than subsequent week’s journey to Madrid: Arsenal 1-0 Brentford.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You’ll be able to comply with each recreation from the Premier League with FotMob this season — that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant scores. Obtain the free app right here.