Arsenal will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 11 February. Last Word on Football tries to put together the Arsenal predicted starting lineup for what is expected to be a challenging game against an in-form Brentford side
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Brentford
Øur skipper ❤️ https://t.co/zQSfwBBgh2 pic.twitter.com/5n8J39rsaB
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 9, 2023
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
The Gunners have stuck with a winning combination for the majority of the season – but their transfer business towards the end of the January window indicated that Mikel Arteta could be eyeing potential rotation in his squad for the second half of the season. New signings Leandro Trossard or Jorginho are yet to start a league game for the Gunners and will be hopeful of doing so on Saturday.
Arteta has organized a disciplined yet expressive 4-3-3 system in which he has moved away rom being overly defensive – as was the case in his initial years at the club. Now, Granit Xhaka is given a license to play as a more attacking midfielder. The Swiss international often gets himself into key areas in the final third which has seen an increase to his goal involvement numbers.
Read More: Arsenal Player Ratings in Disappointing Everton Loss
The front four consisting of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah have formed impressive chemistry in recent months. Saka is a livewire with his clever movement in the final third, while he appears to have also improved his final product. Odegaard is leading from the front, often getting into pockets of space; and creating key chances for the Gunners as a result.
Nketiah has proved himself a very good alternative to Gabriel Jesus, scoring some great goals and linking up well with his teammates. Martinelli is also enjoying his best-ever season at the Emirates but has shown signs of exhaustion in recent games.
That could lead to Artetat giving a full Premier League debut to Trossard against the dangerous Brentford and allow him to add a unique goal-scoring threat. Like Martinelli, Ben White looks in need of some rest after featuring all through the season – with Takehiro Tomiyasu ready to come in for him.
Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
After finishing 2022 on a high, the Gunners have had a little bit of a topsy-turvy start to 2023. In six games across all competitions, they’ve won just three and ended up losing twice – including a shocking defeat to relegation battlers Everton. The Gunners can’t let the pressure get to them at this stage of the season and depend on Manchester City’s poor results dictating the title race.
Arteta will want his side to be less sloppy and more decisive against Brentford and hope the thunderous Emirates crowd can elevate the performance levels of the players. As has been the case all season, Arsenal have played a high-octane attacking style that encourages the majority of their players to romp forward in the attack.
Read More: Gabriel Martinelli Signs New Arsenal Contract
Most of their attacks are normally created through the wings, with Saka and Martinelli looking to move inwards to more central positions or get into the box before trying to set up chances. Arteta also encourages his full-backs to often come narrow to almost act like centre-midfielders, which allows Xhaka and Odegaard more freedom to occupy the spaces outside the box and set up big chances.
With Brentford having won four of their last five games in the Premier League, the league leaders cannot afford to take them lightly. Inspired by their devastating striker Ivan Toney, the Bees are devastating in counter-attacks and already have big wins over clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool this season. Thomas Partey will be tasked to be extra alert in cutting out Brentford’s swift breaks, while all the defenders need to be on their guard to not allow the visitors too much space to manoeuvre inside their own half.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are all making good progress in their respective recoveries, but are all still a doubt for this match. Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is also still ruled out.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah
