Brentford vs Arsenal | Premier League | Pre Match

Arsenal will bid to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool when they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year’s Day. As the calendar turns to 2025, the stakes are high for both teams, albeit for vastly different reasons. For Arsenal, it’s about staying in the hunt for the league title and maintaining their recent run of impressive form, while Brentford will be desperate to stabilize their mid-table position and find some much-needed consistency in their campaign.

Heading into Wednesday’s game, Arsenal sit third in the Premier League standings, trailing Arne Slot’s Liverpool by nine points. Liverpool’s relentless form has given little room for optimism among their rivals, as the Reds have been imperious, showing no signs of faltering. However, Arsenal might just be the side best positioned to mount a credible challenge to the league leaders. To do so, they will need to build on their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league. A positive result against Brentford would not only keep their momentum going but also serve as a statement of intent in what promises to be a fiercely contested title race.

Arsenal’s performance in London derbies this past year has been nothing short of exceptional. In 2024, the Gunners went unbeaten in all 10 of their Premier League clashes with fellow London clubs, scoring five or more goals in half of those matches. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their attacking prowess and ability to dominate local rivals. The statistic is even more striking when considering that Arsenal had previously only managed such a feat in five of their last 117 London derby matches. Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be keen to see his side extend this dominance as they prepare to face Brentford.

However, not everything has been rosy for Arsenal. Defensive issues, particularly in away games, remain a concern. The Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven Premier League matches on the road. This is a stark contrast to their earlier form, where they had recorded nine shutouts in 10 away fixtures. Arteta will be hoping for a more resilient defensive display against Brentford, especially given the unpredictable nature of Premier League fixtures during the festive period. Addressing these defensive lapses could be the key to sustaining their title push in the coming months.

Brentford, on the other hand, have had their share of defensive struggles this season. Thomas Frank’s side is one of only two teams, alongside Ipswich Town, yet to keep a clean sheet at home in the Premier League this term. Their vulnerabilities at the back were highlighted in their recent 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that marked their first home loss of the season and the first time they’ve failed to score at the Gtech Community Stadium. That disappointing performance was followed by a goalless draw at Brighton, leaving Brentford with just one win from their last five league outings.

Despite these setbacks, Brentford remain comfortably mid-table in 12th place. However, their recent form has seen them fall off the pace in the race for European qualification. A victory against Arsenal would not only bolster their points tally but also inject some much-needed confidence into the squad. Brentford’s recent struggles in London derbies further underline the importance of this fixture. The Bees have won just one of their last 12 such games in the Premier League, a significant decline from their earlier run of 14 unbeaten London derby matches between October 2022 and November 2023.

One player who has consistently shone for Brentford in these high-stakes games is Bryan Mbeumo. The forward has been a standout performer in London derbies, with 14 goal involvements (12 goals, two assists) in his last 15 appearances in such fixtures. His ability to deliver on big occasions will be crucial if Brentford are to overcome Arsenal’s challenge. For Arsenal, Kai Havertz has also demonstrated a knack for stepping up in London derbies. The German international has been directly involved in eight goals (six goals, two assists) in his last eight appearances in these encounters, making him a key player to watch on New Year’s Day.

In terms of team news, both sides will be missing key personnel. Arsenal remain without Bukayo Saka and Ben White, two players whose absence will undoubtedly be felt. Additionally, Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined, limiting Arteta’s options further. Brentford’s injury list is even more extensive. Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer, and Rico Henry are among the notable absentees, while Ben Mee and Mark Flekken, who both sustained injuries in the draw at Brighton, are doubtful for Wednesday’s clash. These absences could significantly impact the dynamics of the game, as both managers will need to adapt their tactics accordingly.

Historically, Arsenal have had the upper hand in this fixture. Since Brentford’s memorable 2-0 victory in their first-ever Premier League game against the Gunners in August 2021, they have failed to win any of their subsequent five meetings with Arsenal. This includes four defeats and one draw. Moreover, Arsenal have been particularly dominant in their visits to the Gtech Community Stadium. They have won their last three away games against Brentford in all competitions without conceding a single goal. The Gunners last achieved a similar streak of four consecutive away clean-sheet victories against a single opponent between 2003 and 2008, when they dominated Sunderland.

The most recent encounter between these two sides took place in March, with Arsenal securing a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium. A late winner from Kai Havertz sealed the three points for the Gunners in a tightly contested affair. This result will undoubtedly be fresh in the minds of both sets of players as they prepare for another showdown. For Brentford, breaking their winless streak against Arsenal will require a disciplined performance and clinical finishing, particularly given their defensive vulnerabilities.

As the Gtech Community Stadium hosts its first match of 2025, all eyes will be on how these two teams respond to the challenges they face. Arsenal’s ambitions of challenging Liverpool for the title hinge on their ability to maintain consistency and avoid dropping points against mid-table sides like Brentford. Meanwhile, the Bees will be eager to begin the new year on a positive note, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage and improve their record in London derbies. With both teams needing a result for different reasons, this clash promises to be an intriguing battle that could set the tone for their respective campaigns in the second half of the season.