Prediction: Arsenal vs Brentford

Prediction: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport

Another set of enticing Premier League fixtures lie ahead in the days to come as we continue on through the month of February. The title race, European push and relegation battle tend to be the three main focal points of any given top flight campaign and the same is true this time around, with both Arsenal and Brentford fans having expectations of what their team can achieve between now and May.

Arsenal

Arsenal have no other competitions to think about outside of the Premier League and because of that, a top four finish should be seen as the bare minimum of what they can accomplish. It’s going to take a lot of time, effort and consistency but with the Gunners having some real squad depth for the first time in what feels like forever, Mikel Arteta needs to be looking ahead instead of behind.

Team News

Tomiyasu is almost back from injury but isn’t likely to start, Leno is also a fitness concern and Martinelli is suspended after picking up a red card against Wolves.

Brentford

Brentford currently sit seven points above the bottom three but things are beginning to heat up in the relegation scrap. For the first half of the season, the newcomers were able to catch a lot of teams off guard with their unique, fast-pace style – but the appeal is beginning to dry up. If they’re going to stay in the league, they’ll need to rediscover some of the magic that first point them on the map.

Team News

Fosu-Henry and Jeanvier are out with the following players being listed as doubtful: Zanka, Toney and Eriksen, with the latter still working his way back to full fitness.

Factors to Consider

• In the first game of the season, Brentford beat Arsenal 2-0.
• Arsenal have won one, drawn two and lost three of their last six games.
• Brentford have drawn one and lost five of their last six games.
• Arsenal have scored two goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Brentford have scored three goals and conceded 14 in their last six games.

Conclusion

While you could argue Brentford will be happier with their season up to this point out of the two clubs, the trajectory for both seems to be quite different. The Bees no longer have that sense of mystery surrounding them whereas Arsenal are finally looking like a club that has a first team to be proud of. In short, we expect to see the Gunners return the favour and beat Brentford 2-0 this weekend.

Prediction: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport