Arsenal have a crucial match on their hands this weekend as they get ready to host Brentford at the Emirates, so let’s take a look at the team news.
With Champions League football up for grabs, the Gunners would be keen on grabbing the three points. The Bees have already beaten the north Londoners in this campaign as the season opener went their way.
But a lot has changed since, especially with regards to the personnel at the Emirates. The team that takes to the field on Saturday will be quite different to what we saw in August and has more of a chance to get the win.
The biggest absentee for the Gunners is the suspended Gabriel Martinelli who got a red card against Wolves. Emile Smith Rowe is expected to come in to replace the Brazilian. Bernd Leno tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Wolves game, but the German could be available for the weekend as his isolation period will be done by matchday.
One bit of good news for the hosts is that Takehiro Tomiyasu has returned to training after struggling with an injury. But it is unlikely that the full back will start as there are bigger games coming up.
Arsenal Fever View:
The visitors like to play a physical game and the north Londoners should be able to handle that. This was a problem the last time these two teams met and is something that Mikel Arteta would have paid some attention to.
We might also get to see Christian Eriksen make his much-awaited return to football. And if the past is any indication, the Dane who loves playing against the hosts would be a problem to deal with. But the Gunners have shown this season that they have the ability to withstand pressure and come out of it successfully.
The north London club’s front four will have to combine regularly and convert chances whenever they get them. That would go a long way in ensuring that they get the win and put more pressure on other teams in the fight for the top four.
Arsenal have done well to be in this kind of a position but they must ensure that they do not let their advantage slip.
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