Thomas Frank has played up the task that his Brentford team face when they travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After beating Southampton and keeping clean sheets in their last three games, the Bees are exactly the type of opponent Arsenal won't have wanted to face right now.
Mikel Arteta's men have had their confidence take a hit in the past fortnight, losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup before then falling to a more damaging league defeat to Everton last weekend. Although the Spaniard said he loves his team more for the experience, there will be an undeniable feeling.
Paul Merson has labelled this game the biggest of Arsenal's season - though he will likely say the same about their hosting of Man City on Wednesday night, too. But that misses the point. Brentford are aggressive, compact, willing to play without possession and, for a team that have had such good home results against top sides, boast a solid away record too.
