Arsenal head to Brentford knowing three points are essential as the title race tightens and their midweek trip comes with little room for error.
Arsenal head to Brentford for the final fixture of the midweek round knowing there is little margin for error in the title race, with the possibility that their lead at the top could be cut to three points should Manchester City defeat Fulham on Wednesday night.
Three points against the Bees are essential for Mikel Arteta’s side as the pressure continues to build.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Many expected them to struggle after the departure of Thomas Frank, who left to join Tottenham, with his replacement by Keith Andrews, who was promoted without first-team managerial experience.
The club also lost captain Christian Norgaard, who moved to Arsenal’s bench, while Yohan Wissa joined Newcastle United and Bryan Mbuemo moved to Manchester United.
Despite those significant losses, Brentford have adapted impressively and currently sit seventh, level on points with Liverpool, six clear of Newcastle and 10 ahead of Frank’s Tottenham. They remain firmly in contention for a European place, with just 10 points separating Aston Villa in third from Everton in eighth.
Brentford, like Arsenal, will be without several players for Thursday night.
Fabio Carvalho remains sidelined with a long-term issue after undergoing surgery, with Andrews previously confirming the operation had gone well.
Antoni Milambo is also out long term following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Kevin Schade is unavailable through suspension, serving the second game of a three-match ban, while former Arsenal kid, Josh DaSilva, continues his recovery after a lengthy absence from a knee injury, with Andrews saying in December that he was progressing well but not yet ready to return, with hopes of seeing him back later this month.
Brentford’s first ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal in August 2021 in that infamous Friday night game that should have been postponed because so many of Arsenal’s players had covid, but since then they are winless in eight meetings with the Gunners.
Arsenal have won their last three league visits to the Gtech Community Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-1, while Brentford have managed just one win in their last 11 home London derbies.
Arsenal, by contrast, have lost only one of their last 23 Premier League London derbies and remain unbeaten in their last 12 midweek league matches, even if Thursday nights have recently been less kind when it comes to wins or goals (none of either in the last three).
For Arsenal, the equation is simple. With games in the title race getting fewer and rivals waiting for any slip, this is a fixture they must navigate successfully, against an opponent who have already shown this season they are more than capable of punishing complacency. They recently beat Villa at Villa Park with only 10 men. They have also beaten Newcastle (a) but were also unable to beat Spurs in both League games, which is not a good look for anyone this season.