Brentford Hope to Revive Past Glory over Arsenal | OneFootball

Irrespective of what unfolds in Manchester on Wednesday night, Arsenal know the equation heading into Thursday’s Premier League clash at Brentford is a simple one: keep winning.

Bees Look to Channel the Past

Second-placed Manchester City’s match at home to Fulham may yet tighten the title race further, but Mikel Arteta’s side are focused on its own job across London at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford lie in wait with memories of a famous night still fresh in the club’s folklore.

It was here, in August 2021, that Brentford announced themselves to the Premier League with a stunning 2–0 victory over Arsenal in their first-ever match at this level. Since then, however, the pendulum has swung firmly the other way. The Bees are winless in their last eight league meetings with the Gunners (D2 L6), a run Arsenal will be keen to extend as the pressure at the top of the table intensifies.

The backdrop to Thursday night’s contest is unmistakably tense. Just two days prior, Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham sacked former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, a reminder of how unforgiving the margins have become in a season where reputations and league positions are under constant threat.

Despite Arsenal’s Rotation Concerns…

For Arsenal, squad management remains a central concern. Arteta confirmed he will make late decisions on several key players, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both pushing to return after spells on the sidelines.

Leandro Trossard is also being assessed after limping out of Sunday’s 3–0 win over Sunderland, while Mikel Merino remains unavailable following surgery on a broken bone. Teenage talent Max Dowman continues his rehabilitation after injury.

“We will see,” Arteta said when asked about the fitness of Saka, Odegaard and Trossard. “We are managing a squad with a lot of games and a lot of players who have been sidelined.”

… Arteta Still Confident

Arsenal’s ability to maintain momentum has been one of the defining features of their campaign. Even City’s dramatic comeback win at Liverpool on Sunday did little to rattle Arteta, who insists his side are conditioned for the pressure that now comes with leading the league.

“Everybody was watching it,” he said. “We’ve discussed the way we have to take this constantly and just put all the energy into what we do. That’s it. For us it’s something normal, natural, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Arteta’s record in London derbies offers Arsenal further cause for confidence. The Spaniard has won 41 of his 67 Premier League matches against fellow capital sides –  a 61% win rate, the best of any manager to oversee at least 20 such fixtures. Arsenal have lost just one of their last 23 London derbies, and only one of their last 20 away games against London opposition since the start of the 2022–23 season.

Brentford Remain Unfazed

Yet Brentford, under Keith Andrews, will not be overawed.

The Bees have built a reputation for intensity, chaos and efficiency, particularly at home, where striker Igor Thiago has been devastating. The Brazilian has scored nine goals in his last 10 Premier League home games, including four braces – a record bettered this season only by Erling Haaland.

“This is a massive game against Arsenal,” Andrews said. “You’re up against the best team in the league. The table doesn’t tend to lie. They’ve got so many talented individuals who can hurt you in different phases of the game.”

Andrews was quick to stress that his side are relishing the challenge rather than fearing it. “We cause a lot of chaos ourselves,” he added. “But we’ll have to produce a top, top performance. You have to be calm in the chaos to get through spells like this.”

Takeaway

Arsenal will arrive knowing exactly what is required. With 13 games to go, there is no room for slip-ups, even in hostile territory. Brentford may dream of recreating their famous opening-night victory from three years ago, but for the league leaders, Thursday night is about control, composure and continuing to set the pace.

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