Arteta has no doubts over Arsenal stepping up in Saka´s absence

Mikel Arteta stays assured in his Arsenal facet adapting to life with out injured talisman Bukayo Saka forward of their New Yr’s Day journey to Brentford.

Arsenal make the brief journey to the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium on Wednesday, contemporary off the again of a slim 1-0 win over Ipswich City.

That win got here earlier than Liverpool’s thrashing of West Ham on Sunday, leaving Arsenal 9 factors behind Arne Slot’s league leaders.

Arteta should seek out Liverpool within the title race with out Saka, who’s prone to miss “greater than two months” with a hamstring damage”, although he has each religion in his squad.

“It’s all the time essential as a result of as properly with Bukayo that doesn’t imply that we’re going to attain three or 4 objectives each recreation,” Arteta mentioned of profitable with out Saka concerned.

“So now we have to depend on the group. That’s the largest power of us.

“We by no means depend on a person scoring 25, 30 objectives and now we have managed to be very, very aggressive nonetheless and we’re going to handle to try this.”

Constructing as much as Brentford

Sobha Realty Coaching Centre pic.twitter.com/865BZOSa00

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2024

Brentford are winless of their final three league video games after a hard-fought goalless draw with Brighton that noticed first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken limp off within the first half.

Ben Mee additionally suffered an damage setback within the stalemate on the south coast, although Brentford supervisor Thomas Frank hopes to have Flekken out there, at the very least, for Wednesday.

“[Christian] Norgaard is not any downside and might play towards Arsenal,” Frank mentioned on Monday. “Ben Mee has a minor muscle damage and can be out for a few weeks.

“Mark Flekken is extra optimistic, nonetheless too early to say he’ll play towards Arsenal, however he can possibly, hopefully, be out there.

“However I’m in little doubt that [Hakon Valdimarsson] can be greater than prepared for his first Premier League begin, if wanted. He did very properly towards Brighton and I used to be more than happy along with his efficiency.”

Thomas Frank will welcome two gamers again into the squad on Wednesday with ‘optimistic’ information on an extra duo

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 30, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo has been concerned in 14 objectives in his final 15 Premier League London derby matches (12 objectives, two assists).

The Brentford ahead has not discovered the web in his final two league outings however nonetheless has 10 objectives from 18 top-flight video games this season, and can fancy including to his tally right here.

Arsenal – David Raya

Arsenal haven’t stored a clear sheet in any of their final seven Premier League away video games, having recorded 9 shutouts of their earlier 10 on the street.

Their defensive struggles on the street might go away David Raya uncovered – although the previous Brentford man’s 73.7% save proportion is barely behind Robert Sanchez’s 74.36% amongst all Premier League goalkeepers to function 5 or extra instances this season.

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal are the heavy favourites for one more London derby victory on the Gtech, contemplating their latest type and head-to-head document.

Brentford are winless of their final 5 top-flight clashes towards Arsenal (D1 L4) since opening their first-ever Premier League marketing campaign with a 2-0 house victory over Arteta’s facet again in August 2021.

Certainly, Arsenal have received their final three away video games towards Brentford in all competitions with out conceding a single objective – a document that Arteta will hope to proceed right here.

Nevertheless, Arsenal haven’t received 4 consecutive away video games towards an opponent whereas retaining a clear sheet every time since a run between 2003 and 2008 towards Sunderland.

Brentford even have a robust document of their first league fixture of a calendar 12 months, profitable every of their final 5 such matches, so all hope is just not misplaced for Frank’s hosts.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford win – 17.1%
Draw – 20.9%
Arsenal win – 62.1%