Mikel Arteta has opted for a mix of youth and experience, making notable adjustments from the team that beat Ipswich 1-0 last week.

Confirmed Arsenal Lineup vs Brentford

Here’s how Arsenal will line up for today’s game:

Starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: David Raya
• Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori
• Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard (Captain)
• Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus

Substitutes:

• Neto
• Jakub Kiwior
• Kieran Tierney
• Oleksandr Zinchenko
• Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Jorginho
• Declan Rice
• Ismael Kabia
• Leandro Trossard

Key Highlights

• Ethan Nwaneri’s First Premier League Start: The 17-year-old academy sensation makes his first league start, a testament to Arteta’s trust in Arsenal’s young talent.
• Calafiori at Left Back: Riccardo Calafiori replaces Myles Lewis-Skelly, adding defensive solidity and attacking flair on the flank.
• Midfield Shuffles: Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino come into the midfield, while Declan Rice starts on the bench.
• No Kai Havertz: Havertz misses out entirely, allowing Gabriel Jesus to retain his spot upfront.

Team News and Injuries

Arsenal remains without Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling, both sidelined due to injuries. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also unavailable.

Brentford, meanwhile, faces a long injury list, including Ben Mee, Rico Henry, and Josh Dasilva. However, key players Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be available to lead their attack.

What to Expect from the Match

Here’s a look at what we can anticipate:

Tactical Matchup:

Arsenal’s aggressive pressing and fluid attacking play will test Brentford’s strong home form. Brentford has secured 22 of their 25 points at home this season, making this a tough challenge for the Gunners.

Key Battles:

• Gabriel Jesus vs Brentford’s defense
• Odegaard orchestrating play against Brentford’s midfield disruptors
• Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa aiming to exploit Arsenal’s high line

Stats to Watch:

• Arsenal is unbeaten in their last 10 London derbies, winning eight and scoring five or more goals in half of those games.
• Brentford has only lost once at home this season, showing their strength at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Match Details

Kick-off Time: 5:30 PM (UK)

Location: Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford