Arsenal will look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table as they welcome mid-table Brentford to the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Arsenal saw their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to five points over the weekend, as they drew 1-1 away at 10-man Chelsea on Sunday, on an afternoon where two of my three selections landed.
Whilst that’s now consecutive draws away from home, Mikel Arteta’s men are still unbeaten in each of their previous 10 league matches (W7-D3-L0), and have only dropped points at home against Manchester City in their 1-1 draw.
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Brentford’s strong home form continued over the weekend, as they claimed a late 3-1 victory over struggling Brentford to move up to 10th in the Premier League table.
Whilst that’s now five wins from seven at home in the Premier League this season (W5-D1-L1), The Bees have struggled on their travels, losing five of their opening six road trips (W1-D0-L5), with their solitary win coming over 17th-placed West Ham.
How the bookies view it: Arsenal Favourites
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have been chalked up as clear favourites to return to winning ways on Wednesday night, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 3/10.
Bet365 have Brentford as a massive 9/1 to inflict The Gunners’ first loss at home this season, whilst the draw is 9/2.
Head to head: Gunners dominance
Arsenal are unbeaten in their previous eight meetings with Brentford, winning six of those games (W6-D2-L0).
However, the Bees will take confidence from the fact that they have drawn 1-1 in two of their last three visits to the Emirates.
Players to watch: Thiago to target Gunners injury-hit defence?
Igor Thiago has been in fine form for Brentford this season, as he has scored 11 goals across his 13 Premier League appearances, including a brace in Brentford’s 3-1 victory over Burnley at the weekend.
The Brazilian has now scored in each of his last three, and in six of his past eight Premier League matches, and the Bees’ penalty taker is a massive 4/1 at Paddy Power to get on the scoresheet once again.
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Predicted line-ups:
Mikel Arteta will be without centre backs Gabriel and William Saliba due to injury, whilst Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard are doubts.
Brentford will be missing Josh Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho due to injury.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Eze, Merino
Brentford: Kelleher, Katie, Collins, van den Berg, Hickey, Henderson, Jensen, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago
Anything else catch the eye?
Arsenal have been strong at home all season, and should return to winning ways on Wednesday against a Brentford side that has lost five of their opening six road trips (W1-D0-L5).
However, Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded in each of their last four matches in all competitions, and with their two first-choice centre-backs missing, they may struggle to keep a Brentford side that is spearheaded by the in-form Igor Thiago.
Nine of Brentford’s league matches this season have featured three or more goals – including four of their five away defeats – meaning the 1/1 on offer at BOYLE Sports for an Arsenal Win and Over 2.5 Goals appeals to me.
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