Mikel Arteta has full faith in his Arsenal squad to step up in Bukayo Saka's absence Mikel Arteta has full faith in his Arsenal squad to step up in Bukayo Saka's absence Mikel Arteta remains confident in his Arsenal side adapting to life without injured talisman Bukayo Saka ahead of their New Year's Day trip to Brentford. (Schedule & Results | Points Table)
Arsenal make the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday, fresh off the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
That win came before Liverpool's thrashing of West Ham on Sunday, leaving Arsenal nine points behind Arne Slot's league leaders.
Arteta must hunt down Liverpool in the title race without Saka, who is likely to miss "more than two months" with a hamstring injury", though he has every faith in his squad.
"It's always important because as well with Bukayo that doesn't mean that we're going to score three or four goals every game," Arteta said of winning without Saka involved.
"So we have to rely on the team. That's the biggest strength of us.
"We never rely on an individual scoring 25, 30 goals and we have managed to be very, very competitive still and we're going to manage to do that."
jack and the beanstalk slotBuilding up to BrentfordSobha Realty Training Centre pic.twitter.com/865BZOSa00
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2024Brentford are winless in their last three league games after a hard-fought goalless draw with Brighton that saw first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken limp off in the first half.
Ben Mee also suffered an injury setback in the stalemate on the south coast, though Brentford manager Thomas Frank hopes to have Flekken available, at least, for Wednesday.
Arsenal Winger Bukayo Saka Vows To 'Come Back Stronger' After Surgery"[Christian] Norgaard is no problem and can play against Arsenal," Frank said on Monday. "Ben Mee has a minor muscle injury and will be out for a couple of weeks.
"Mark Flekken is more positive, still too early to say he will play against Arsenal, but he can maybe, hopefully, be available.
"But I am in no doubt that [Hakon Valdimarsson] will be more than ready for his first Premier League start, if needed. He did very well against Brighton and I was very pleased with his performance."
Thomas Frank will welcome two players back into the squad on Wednesday with 'positive' news on a further duo
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 30, 2024PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has been involved in 14 goals in his last 15 Premier League London derby matches (12 goals, two assists).
The Brentford forward has not found the net in his last two league outings but still has 10 goals from 18 top-flight games this season, and will fancy adding to his tally here.
Arsenal – David Raya
Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven Premier League away games, having recorded nine shutouts in their previous 10 on the road.
Their defensive struggles on the road may leave David Raya exposed – though the former Brentford man's 73.7% save percentage is only behind Robert Sanchez's 74.36% among all Premier League goalkeepers to feature five or more times this season.
MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN
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Arsenal are the heavy favourites for another London derby victory at the Gtech, considering their recent form and head-to-head record.
Brentford are winless in their last five top-flight clashes against Arsenal (D1 L4) since opening their first-ever Premier League campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Arteta's side back in August 2021.
Indeed, Arsenal have won their last three away games against Brentford in all competitions without conceding a single goal – a record that Arteta will hope to continue here.
However, Arsenal have not won four consecutive away games against an opponent while keeping a clean sheet each time since a run between 2003 and 2008 against Sunderland.
Brentford also have a strong record in their first league fixture of a calendar year, winning each of their last five such matches, so all hope is not lost for Frank's hosts.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brentford win – 17.1%Draw – 20.9%Arsenal win – 62.1%mwplay888