Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabi Martinelli will be the only absentee when his side take on Brentford this afternoon as we look to avenge our loss from earlier in the campaign.
The Bees put in an impressive display to beat us on the opening week of the season, but we had a number of players sidelined for that matchup. This time around we have almost our entire squad fit and ready for action, as confirmed by the boss.
Arteta told Arsenal Media that ‘we are all good’ when asked about whether any players would be missing. That means we have both Bernd Leno and Takehiro Tomiyasu both back after Covid and injury respectably.
Gabriel Martinelli is suspended however, having got a double-yellow card in our most recent outing against Wolves last week.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Ramsdale
Tomiyasu White Gabriel Tierney
Saka Partey Xhaka Smith Rowe
Odegaard
Lacazette
This team should have too much for Brentford this afternoon, and it should be a refreshing return to the first-team for Emile, although he isn’t guaranteed to start with Nicolas Pepe getting a special mention by Arteta in his pre-match press conference.
Would the above be your chosen XI to start this afternoon?
Patrick
That should be enough to give me 3-0 COYG….
Only doubt on that lineup is Tomiyasu,Fingers-crossed he is fit enough to start the match if not Ben White as RB and Holding as CB will do. COYG!
Pepé instead of Laca for me.
I think it will be a very close game whoever starts.
Pepe in for Laca with either Pepe or ESR playing upfront. Would like to se Azeez instead of Xhaka, dreaming I know.
I’d rathe Cedric start instead of Tomi unlesshe is 100% fit. MA has already extended Tomi’s time on the treatment table by playing him too early.
Brentford could have some players out, SO REVENGE TIME!!!!!!!
Willock!! Still helping us
Team should be enough to get the 3 points. I hope we are aggressive and direct today, and keep Brentford on their heels.
Lot of talk from players and manager during the break about the squad and lack of additions in January. Time to show it on the pitch and back up all the comments.
Tough game again as they all are in the Premier League, particularly at this point of the season, but with home advantage I think we might just have the edge
Apart from it being Brentford it has no real comparison to the opening game of the season, whoever plays instead of Marti (I think it will be ESR to start) we will probably only have 4 players at the start that started the previous Brentford fixture and I think they have a couple of first pick injury doubts this time
I reckon Cedric did enough to keep his place from the Wolves game and apart from Marti’s absence I think we will start with the same team that started at Wolves, good to have Tomi available again though
1-0 will do and the goal can come from anyone, I don’t mind, but maybe Pepe or Eddie off the bench will get one for us to give us fans confidence that if needed they won’t let us down
Having said all that I am very confident and fancy us to do the business, with maybe a really convincing overall performance
Enjoy the game all
It’s a 4-3-3 formation.
With Xhaka and Ode at both sides of Partey.
I will go with the same