
Date: Saturday 9th March, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm
Stadium Emirates Stadium
Referee Robert Jones (England)
Goal Scorer:
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta refused give too much away regarding updates but effectively failed to rule out either Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli. The duo left the field against Sheffield United at different times, with the manager insisting Saka felt sick at half-time, while the Brazilian suffered a cut to his leg.
Whether Arteta deems it necessary to field the duo against Brentford remains the question. Arsenal are facing a must-win situation in the Premier League, while they will have one eye on the midweek UEFA Champions League game against FC Porto. Meanwhile, on loan Brentford goalkeeper will be ineligible to play against his parent club, meaning Aaron Ramsdale returns.
Furthermore, there might be more changes to the squad, as key absentees Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu might return to the matchday squad. Thomas Partey already received considerable minutes under his belt against Sheffield United and will undoubtedly play again at some stage against Brentford.
The big dilemma for Arteta against Brentford would be the selection of Jorginho, who has been such a key figure for Arsenal lately. With the Porto game in mind, the manager might either start him hoping to take a good lead early on or bring back Leandro Trossard, as the other members from last Monday will keep their places.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Brentford
One might sympathise with Brentford’s plight as they have many critical injuries. Some of their leading players could miss the remainder of the campaign as Thomas Frank juggles things with his makeshift backline.
Bryan Mbeumo’s return to training will have boosted the hopes of Brentford fans. However, the Cameroonian attacker might have to wait for another week before resuming his partnership with Ivan Toney. Ben Mee was the latest defender to bow out of contention. So Zanka, Nathan Collins, and Kristoffer Ajer will form the back three for Brentford and will hope to stop a relentless Arsenal attacking unit.
Even on the wings they are missing critical stars like Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry. Mads Roerslev has done a decent job in the wing-back role, while Tottenham loanee Sergio Reguilon will continue to start on the left flank. Christian Norgaard remains best placed to start in the holding midfield role, while Frank Onyeka and Vitaly Janelt will provide support on either side.
In the frontline, Toney will start in a two-prone attacking setup and will aim to trouble the Arsenal backline as he did in the same fixture last season. He will have Yoane Wissa for the company in the attacking third, with regular villain to the Gunners, Neal Maupay only finding a place on the bench.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; Zanka, Ajer, Collins; Roerslev, Onyeka, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon; Toney, Wissa
Prediction: Arsenal 4-1 Brentford
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