We don't have long to wait for our first taste of Premier League action in 2025, as Arsenal travel to Brentford on New Year's Day.
The Gunners extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches on Friday evening Beating Ipswich Town 1-0 in North London. The Premier League title hopefuls are unlikely to impress while Bukayo Saka recovers from hamstring surgery, so efficiency will be the name of the game as they attempt to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.
The Reds extended their lead over Arsenal at the top to nine points with a 5-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
Liverpool's brilliance means the Gunners have little margin for error, and they travel to one of the best-performing home teams in the division on Wednesday. However, Brentford are currently struggling with injuries and are without a win in four matches.
The west London club were beaten at the Gatek Stadium for the first time this season in their previous home game against Nottingham Forest before Christmas and currently sit 12th in the table.
here 90 minutes Guide to Brentford vs Arsenal On New Year's Day.
Brentford and Arsenal live results (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
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Brentford |
Arsenal |
|---|---|
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Brighton 0-0 Brentford – 12/27/24 |
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich – 27/12/24 |
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Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 12/21/24 |
Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal – 12/21/24 |
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Newcastle 3-1 Brentford – 12/18/24 |
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace – 12/18/24 |
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Chelsea 2-1 Brentford – 12/15/24 |
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 12/14/24 |
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Brentford 4-2 Newcastle – 12/07/24 |
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco – 12/11/24 |
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nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
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UK |
TNT Sports Ultimate, TNT Sports 1, Discovery+, Discovery+ app |
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US |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports app, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
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Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Brentford's injury problems appear to be getting worse. More importantly, Thomas Frank has Brian Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa available on New Year's Day, but the Bees are particularly hampered defensively.
They lost Mark Flecken and Ben Mee to injuries at Brighton on Friday night, with both players doubts for the New Year's Day clash. Mattias Jensen and Sepp van den Berg are likely to return from injury, but the duo could miss out again.
Ethan Pinnock could miss most of January with a hamstring injury, while Christopher Agger, Josh DaSilva, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago are also out for the home side.
Brentford's expected lineup against Arsenal (4-3-3): Valdemarson; Roslev, Collins, Kim, Lewis Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Mbwemo, Wessa, Shadi.
There are no fresh concerns about Friday night's win over Ipswich, but there could be a mini-reshuffle from Arteta.
Riccardo Calafiore was an unused substitute last time out after recently returning from a thigh injury. He will certainly feature for Gtech, but the form of Myles Lewis Skelly at left-back does not warrant a relegation.
Mikel Merino could also come into the team with Kai Havertz starting up front. Arsenal are without star winger Saka Loan Raheem Sterling is due to hamstring and knee injuries, while full-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will also be absent.
Arsenal's expected lineup against Brentford (4-3-3):raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus.
The beaten home side have often beaten their own teams at home this season, but they had their work cut out here after losing to transfer-laden Forest before Christmas.
Arsenal will dominate possession in west London and aim to stifle the Bees with an aggressive defensive line and ferocious counter-pressing. Brentford's quality once they get the ball back will be key in determining how much success they will have against a strong Arsenal side that lacks a tough edge.
Due to Saka's absence in attack, Arsenal are more likely to play permanent matches similar to their draws with Fulham and Everton in December.
This could be one of those days for Arteta's men against a depleted Brentford side.
