As the Premier League gears up for another enthralling matchday, all eyes turn to the Emirates Stadium for a clash between title challengers Arsenal and Brentford. On one side, we have the Gunners, currently perched at the lofty heights of third place in the league table, their ambitions soaring with the possibility of clinching their first league title in two decades. Meanwhile, Brentford, the plucky underdogs, find themselves navigating the tumultuous waters of mid-table mediocrity, hoping to steer clear of the relegation battle looming ominously on the horizon.
For Arsenal, this season has been a resurgence of sorts. Long gone are the days of faltering in the final stretch, as Mikel Arteta's side appears to have finally found its stride at the business end of the campaign. The Gunners' recent form speaks volumes, having secured victory in each of their last seven league outings. Their most recent triumph, a resounding 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United, showcased the team's offensive prowess in spectacular fashion. Goals from the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Ben White, along with an unfortunate own goal from Sheffield United, underscored Arsenal's dominance on the field. With an astonishing tally of 31 goals scored and a mere three conceded during this winning streak, Arsenal find themselves in a position of strength, perhaps unseen since Arteta took the helm.
A standout amongst Arsenal's impressive performances in recent weeks has been the resurgence of Kai Havertz. Following his high-profile move from Chelsea in January, the German international had struggled to find his level in the opening months of the campaign but a recent switch of position from midfield to striker has seen him flourish, with Havertz now looking like one of the squad's most valuable members. The decision to deploy Havertz in a more advanced position has garnered widespread acclaim in recent weeks, and it now feels like Mikel Arteta's go-to option in big games. His evolution epitomises Arsenal's upward trajectory, with the team, just like Havertz, going from strength to strength with the belief that they can win a fourth Premier League title growing by the week.
On the other hand, Brentford's journey this season has been one of trials and tribulations. Despite their impressive performances in the past two seasons, their first seasons as a Premier League club, the Bees find themselves grappling with inconsistency and the looming threat of relegation. Their current position, languishing in 15th place, belies the challenges they've encountered on the field. While two of the three promoted sides from the Championship have been so poor it's largely deflected attention away from everyone else, Brentford's own struggles cannot be overlooked.
The recent form of Brentford mirrors their turbulent campaign, with just one win, one draw, and three defeats in their last five league fixtures. However, a glimmer of hope emerged from their recent clash against Chelsea, where they managed to hold the Blues to a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Goals from Mads Roerslev and Yoane Wissa showcased Brentford's resilience, as they fought back from an early deficit to secure a valuable point. Despite the positive performance, the result extended Brentford's winless streak in the league to seven games, emphasising the need for a turnaround in fortunes sooner rather than later.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.