Brentford V Arsenal: The Bees looking to return to winning ways & The Gunners aiming to pick up where they left off

In their first full match since starlet Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, Arsenal secured a fairly comfortable 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League. Despite the winning result, fear remained over the future of Mikel Arteta’s side without their key right winger and prominent creative outlet. 

On Saturday, December 21, during Arsenal’s last away match of the year, Mikel Arteta’s side secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over London rivals Crystal Palace. However, the story of the match was 23-year-old England international Bukayo Saka who was forced to be substituted in the first half due to an apparent hamstring injury. The injury caused the winger to leave Selhurst Park later that evening with the support of staff members and the use of crutches. In a post-match interview when asked about the extent of the injury, Mikel Arteta stated: “It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks.”

Bukayo Saka is set to be sidelined for at least two months. (BBC SPORT)

Against Ipswich Town, Arsenal deployed a front three consisting of Leandro Trossard as the left winger, Gabriel Jesus as the central forward and Gabriel Martinelli as the Bukayo Saka replacement on the right hand side. When asked about the possibility of Gabriel Martinelli filling in for the now injured Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta stated: “He’s played there before  [Gabriel Martinelli]... He did really well. He’s a good option to have.”

Gabriel Martinelli currently has six goal involvements in the Premier League this season. (ARSENAL)

Although the Gunners managed to secure three points and maintain the gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool, many spectators noted that the performance lacked the spark they expected following the victory. Throughout the match, Arsenal completed 670 passes and achieved 68% possession, with an impressive 84% in the first half. However, despite this dominance, some Arsenal fans expressed concerns and pessimism about their future due to a lacklustre effort in front of goal without Saka.

Arsenal have struggled with injuries throughout this season’s league campaign as it has almost become a recurring theme. Key starters like Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and now Bukayo Saka have all been sidelined for multiple matches already due to injury. The North London side currently sit third in the Premier League - nine points behind Liverpool and one point behind Nottingham Forest who have played one game more than them. Today, the club will travel to West London for the first Premier League match of 2025 with hopes of extending their impressive run of eleven matches unbeaten in all competitions. The Bees on the other hand will desperately want to cut their current run of four matches without a win.

Brentford, entering the game, currently boasts the best home record in the Premier League this season, sharing the top spot with Liverpool. The Bees have secured seven wins at home so far but faced their first and only defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium two weekends ago against Nottingham Forest. The dynamic duo of Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa has been instrumental in establishing the Gtech Community Stadium as a formidable stronghold early in the season. Together, they have scored a total of 19 league goals and have directly contributed to 68% of Brentford's Premier League goals.

Bryan Mbuemo (left) & Yoane Wise (right) have been firing for Brentford so far this season. (BRENTFORD)

Despite the apparent challenge and threat Brentford pose, Arsenal wil be encouraged by the fact that Thomas Frank’s side have conceded 32 league goals so far - the sixth worst in the competition. Without Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta will still need his other creative forwards to step up in order to fill the void left by the 23-year-old and capitalise on The Bees' frailties in defence. As of right now Bukayo Saka holds the most assists for Arsenal in the Premier League with a sum of 10, behind him is Declan Rice with only three. There is a clear and significant gap between Saka and his peers in terms of creative production which must now change with Saka sidelined. 

Arsenal have managed victories in the past three meetings between Brentford and Arsenal. Thomas Frank has not clinched a win over Mikel Arteta’s side since the 2-0 upset over The Gunners in the opening match of the 2021/2022 season. There have been six meetings between them since that match with Arsenal winning five of them. 

PREDICTED BRENTFORD LINEUP: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson (GK), K. Lewis-Potter, B. Mee, N. Collins, K. Ajer, M. Damsgaard, C. Norgaard (C), V. Janelt, K. Schade, Y. Wissa, B. Mbuemo. 

PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP: David Raya (GK), M. Lewis-Skelly, G. Magalhaes, W. Saliba, J. Timber, K. Havertz, D. Rice, M. Odegaard (C), L. Trossard, G. Jesus, G. Martinelli.