Arsenal's lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League stands at just four points after Mikel Arteta's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford. Noni Madueke headed Arsenal in front on the hour mark with a fine header.
But the hosts were back on terms only ten minutes later when Keane Lewis-Potter headed home following Michael Kayode's long throw. Following their equaliser, Brentford, who knew a win would take them above Liverpool in the table, looked the more likely to score with Igor Thiago wasting a golden chance in stoppage time.
However, substitute Gabriel Martinelli might have then won it for Arsenal only to be denied by Caoimhin Kelleher in a frantic end to the match. The result means Gunners have missed the chance to restore their six-point lead at the summit while the Bees have now reached the magic 40 points mark in their quest for European qualification. Follow Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE back with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the Gtech Community Stadium!
Brentford vs Arsenal highlights
- GOAL! Lewis-Potter pulls Brentford level
- GOAL! Madueke heads Arsenal in front
Fan reaction
22:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneShocking performance. Probably deserved to lose. Brentford are insane tbf. Only a four point lead now…. #BREARS
— Doug (@DSinger89) February 12, 2026
Fan thoughts
22:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePoor performance today boys😢 #BREARS
— Want3🇸🇿 (@LikeKobe100) February 12, 2026
Fan reaction
21:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMartinelli cost us this game #BREARS
— Isaiah Afolabi (@eyesaiah) February 12, 2026
FULL-TIME
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford 1-1 Arsenal
More dropped points by Arsenal in the title race.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+6 min: Brentford with a throw-in, but Raya claims it well.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Now Kelleher denies Martinelli with a fine block at the other end.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: Thiago with a chance to win it for Brentford but he blasts over.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: FIVE minutes of added time as Rice takes the ball off Damsgaard’s toes!
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: Mosquera does brilliantly to get back at Thiago and makes a superb last-ditch tackle.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Ouattara booked for dissent.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: So many bodies in the box whenever Brentford have a corner. This latest one has to be retaken and defended well by Gabriel, not once but twice.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDear me, Gabriel is so lucky. It's a wild hack from the Brazilian to commit the foul and he's already on a booking. Could so easily have been a second yellow.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Brentford fans calling for a second yellow card for Gabriel after he catches Ouattara with a wild swing. The Arsenal defender escapes further punishment but another free-kick is on the way.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Two changes for Arsenal as Martinelli and Calafiori replace Trossard and Hincapie.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Only one side looks like getting the next goal here - and it’s Brentford. Another set-piece for Arsenal to defend and Ouattara can’t quite grow enough to get his head on the ball.
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Damsgaard and Henderson have come on for Brentford. Meanwhile, Odegaard is attempting to shake off a knock he sustained in the build-up to Lewis-Potter’s equaliser.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLewis-Potter had a massive chance at the back post that he wasted just after Arsenal's goal. They didn't learn their lesson from that and this time he makes no mistake. Such poor defending.
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Arsenal | Keane Lewis-Potter ‘71
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: GOAL!
Pressure from Brentford is increasing. Corner after corner and now another throw-in which brings about the equaliser as Lewis-Potter heads home after ghosting in at the back post.
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: Madueke makes way for Saka. Will he be tonight’s match-winner?
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Gabriel with a brave block to divert Kayode’s effort behind for a corner. Just threw himself in the way of that shot.
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Chances for both sides, first Gyokeres has the ball taken off his toes in the box, then at the other end Raya denies Thiago from close range.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSaka was getting ready to come on before that Arsenal goal and you'd think it would have been for Madueke. He's sat back down now though.
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
21:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: CHANCE!
Brentford corner picks out Lewis-Potter free at the back post but he puts his header wide.
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
21:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: Brentford look for an immediate response as Kayode’s throw-in causes chaos in the Arsenal box, Raya does his best but the visitors are forced to concede two corners in quick succession.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWhat a header that is from Madueke at the back post! Towered over Henry and looped it back into the far corner. Arsenal haven't been at their best but Brentford now have the tough ask of breaking them down.
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Arsenal | Noni Madueke ‘61
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: ARSENAL LEAD!
Noni Madueke with a well-taken header at the back post and there’s the goal Arsenal’s play at the start of the second half has deserved.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt's been better since half-time from Arsenal and Odegaard has looked sharp. Rice more involved too and the threat is coming down their left, with Trossard buzzing around. The tweaks made at the break have had an impact.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
21:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Nice play from Arsenal down the left as Trossard dummies a pass from Rice, which presents Odegaard with a chance but he strikes the ball high and wide.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Trossard effort deflected behind for an Arsenal corner. Good play from the Gunners, but there needs to be an end product if they’re to force an opener.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Brentford have weathered that early Arsenal storm, Lewis-Potter strides forward, lays the ball off to Ouattara who plays in Thiago and his shot is blocked by Gabriel.
Jensen is then booked for a foul on Madueke.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Suggestion of handball after Trossard’s shot is charged down the box. Much better this from Arsenal since the break.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
21:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Good start to the second half by Arsenal as Hincapie fizzes the ball across the face of goal, Gyokeres stretched but couldn’t make contact.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
21:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArteta doesn't often make changes at half-time but he was clearly unimpressed with that. Odegaard on to replace Eze, who can have no complaints about coming off.
KICK-OFF!
21:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in west London!
Mikel Arteta has turned to his bench.
Brentford vs Arsenal highlights
21:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSuperb save from David Raya to keep Arsenal from falling behind.
David Raya with an incredible save to deny Brentford an opener 😲@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
Fan reaction
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBig second half ahead!
Arsenal need to bring it in the 2nd half if we want to stay 6 points clear of Man City. #BREARS
— 🇿🇦 (@laesonas) February 12, 2026
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal Half Time
Fan thoughts
20:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal fans getting nervous...
Arteta has to make Changes, the team look leggy and devoid of Ideas.
— Chidi Ekweonu (@chidi_ekweonu) February 12, 2026
Maybe they are fatigued, but he needs to tweek things a bit, if saka is fit he should come in for Noni, then Odegaard for Eze.
This match is a must win.#BREARS
Fan reaction
20:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis Arsenal fan is calling for changes already.
Get Gyokeres off. Its not his night. #BREARS
— Black & Blue Gooner (@NerazzuriGooner) February 12, 2026
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOne shot from Arsenal, none on target. Don't think the analysis of their attacking display in the first 45 minutes needs to go much beyond that.
HALF-TIME!
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGoalless at the break.
Brentford have come closest to breaking the deadlock with Igor Thiago forcing a superb save from David Raya.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: One minute of added time to be played.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGood clearance there from Raya, as Brentford looked to get in behind. So good that it was about two feet from hitting me.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Arsenal just stepping it up as a Hincapie’s header back across goal is cleared. At the other end, Raya dashes off his line to make a clearance after Ouattara was bursting through.
From the resulting throw-in, Lewis-Potter slices an effort wide.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Madueke now being booed by the Brentford fans. Assuming that is related to the penalty appeal and not his connections to Chelsea.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Madueke goes down under contact from Henry. There are appeals for a penalty which are waved away. VAR check is cleared and they agree with the on-field decision.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: Rice is allowed to carry the ball a long way right through the heart of Brentford’s defence, he gives the ball to Hincapie whose cross is dealt with. Arsenal retain possession but can’t muster a shooting opportunity.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Brentford deal with an Arsenal set-piece and then Ouattara goes down under contact from Eze which allows the hosts to break up the Gunners’ attacking momentum.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal have been miles off it so far. Plenty of sloppy passes, losing their individual battles across the pitch, and the likes of Eze and Madueke have been anonymous. The fact it's 0-0 is the only positive news for the visitors.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Gyokeres pleads his innocence but he clearly tripped Yarmoliuk to go into the book. Perhaps a bit of frustration from the Arsenal striker after failing to make the most of a counter-attacking opportunity.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: Ouattara with a great cross into the box but none of his Brentford team-mates had gambled and Zubimendi was on hand to make a timely clearance for Arsenal.
Home side calling the shots at the moment.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Brentford on top here, Arsenal have barely seen the ball in the past five minutes.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRaya making his own entertainment. It's a ridiculously bad roll of the ball to Janelt when trying to set Rice away, but he makes up for it seconds later with a superb stop to keep out Thiago's header.
Can call that quits.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: Thiago looks destined to put Brentford ahead but Raya pulls off a great save to deny his former club.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Gabriel is late on Igor Thiago and that tackle earns the Arsenal captain, for tonight, a yellow card. Brentford have a free-kick in a dangerous position and their set-piece coach is trying to get some instructions across.
It comes to nothing as Arsenal defend the set-piece well.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAt the next break in play, the referee is across to the touchline to book Andrews. I'm no lip-reading expert, but Andrews' apology looked a lot like 'f****** shambles".
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: Keith Andrews booked for saying one to many words down there on the touchline.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCan't be much fun being a fourth official. He has Andrews in his left ear absolutely screaming for a foul as Ouattara goes down.
Nothing given... and Arteta marches over to complain Brentford even asked for it.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Brentford fans starting to get on the referee’s back here. They feel a couple of decisions have gone against their side.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Good pressure from Brentford, forcing Trossard to put the ball out of play.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFPL managers around the world nearly had the champagne out. Rice's corner finds Gabriel at the back post, decent chance but it's cleared away. Ominous start at defending set pieces from Brentford.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: CLOSE!
Gabriel meets Rice’s header at the back post but van den Berg makes a clearance.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: First chance to see Kayode’s long throw but he launches the ball straight out of play.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Few hearts in mouths among Arsenal fans as the ball rolls dangerously close to Raya’s goal but he deals with it only for an attack to break down with Madueke failing to control Gyokeres’ pass.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Confident start by Mosquera up against Thiago. That is a couple of aerial duels won by the Arsenal defender, who is in for Saliba tonight.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
20:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAway end were in fine voice serenading Gabriel but literally as they completed the chant he passed it straight out for a corner. Not ideal timing.
That actually works out for the Gunners - Janelt booked very, very early on for stopping a counter.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Gabriel with a sloppy pass back, completely sells Raya short and Brentford have the first corner of the game.
The delivery is not great as Raya comes and claims before Janelt is booked for pulling back Gyokeres.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: It’s as expected with the Arsenal line-up, Eze in behind Gyokeres with Madueke and Trossard on the flanks.
KICK-OFF!
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAway we go in west London!
As it stands
19:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneVictory for Arsenal will restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Brentford can move to within two points of a potential Champions League qualification place if they can pick up a win tonight.
HERE WE GO!
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI can't remember the last time I was at a football match and there wasn't a pre-match light show. Make it stop.
Merino injury update
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Merino has undergone surgery on a foot injury as the Arsenal midfielder begins a lengthy recovery process.
The midfielder picked up the issue late in the defeat to Manchester United last month, when he came off the bench and scored.
Merino was sent to see specialists to determine the severity of the problem, and it was discovered that surgery would be required on a bone injury in his right foot.
That procedure took place on Monday, with Merino taking to Instagram to share a picture from his hospital bed.
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Igor Thiago eyes Golden Boot
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIgor Thiago is having a superb season for Brentford.
In the Premier League, only Erling Haaland has scored more goals than the Brazilian.
Will he notch goal number 18 tonight?
Igor locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/1FXbvSrWo1
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 11, 2026
Kick-off approaching in west London
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Gtech.
Around the grounds
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is the final fixture from the midweek Premier League action.
One key result that stands out for Arsenal, while Brentford will have seen Manchester United and Chelsea drop points on Tuesday.
Chelsea 2-2 Leeds
Everton 1-2 Bournemouth
Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle
West Ham 1-1 Manchester United
Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton
Crystal Palace 2-3 Burnley
Man City 3-0 Fulham
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Wolves
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Five weeks ago
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe two sides met at the Emirates Stadium at the beginning of December and Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Thiago, Ouattara
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Henderson, Collins, Damsgaard, Donovan, Furo, Bentt
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Madueke, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus.
Saliba absence explained
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWilliam Saliba is not involved for Arsenal against Brentford tonight because of illness.
Saliba took part in an Arsenal training session on Wednesday but has been left out of the matchday squad for the London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium.
It is not yet known whether the Frenchman will be available for Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Wigan at the weekend, but he must be considered a huge doubt.
Arsenal changes
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres all start as Mikel Arteta makes four changes from the win over Sunderland.
Leandro Trossard has shaken off a knock, while Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are back in the matchday squad.
Fan reaction
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNot feeling confident about tonight. That 9 point lead I was hoping for at the weekend could be 3 tonight.
— Al Clarke (@cqx76s) February 12, 2026
Can't help feeling this could have a massive impact on where the title goes#BREARS
Fan thoughts
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSaliba out, Mosquera in.
— Uncle Abu ™ (@iamabubakhr) February 12, 2026
Havertz out. Eze in.
Nothing to fear. Let’s go!🔥#BREARS https://t.co/YRIy704BtL
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport’s Matt Verri is in position for us in west London and has delivered his verdict on the Arsenal team news.
🗣 "Real options for Mikel Arteta in the second half if required."@MattVerri gives his thoughts on the #AFC team news!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 12, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/5b6JZHQo1Z#BREARS pic.twitter.com/xmdWQcN1E1
Fan reaction
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNo Saliba, no problem. Says this Arsenal fan.
Mosquera always steps up when we need him. Don’t expect tonight to be any different. #BREARS pic.twitter.com/WVhjyq26jZ
— jeffery. (@notjeffery_) February 12, 2026
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneObviously a blow for Arsenal to not have Saliba tonight but Mosquera has been really impressive whenever he's been required to fill in. Arteta will be confident of him delivering again.
Further up the pitch, with Havertz and Merino both out, it does feel so important that Odegaard is available again. Need those options in that No10 role.
Brentford team in full
18:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Thiago, Ouattara
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Henderson, Collins, Damsgaard, Donovan, Furo, Bentt
Arsenal team in full
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Madueke, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus.
CONFIRMED BRENTFORD TEAM NEWS
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for the hosts tonight...
Your Bees to take on Arsenal#BREARS pic.twitter.com/459U6fgH95
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 12, 2026
CONFIRMED ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Arsenal team selected by Mikel Arteta...
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔘
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 12, 2026
💪 Mosquera in at the back
🪄 Eze pulling the strings
🎯 Gyokeres leads the line
Give it everything again, Gunners ✊
🤝 Presented by @deel
Brentford vs Arsenal live - team news imminent
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
Matt Verri at Gtech Community Stadium
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAll eyes on the Arsenal bus... and both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have arrived with their team-mates. Potentially a huge boost for the Gunners to have them back in the squad.
Trossard here too. And he’s doing the pre-match interview.
No sign of Saliba though.
Brentford make key new appointment
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford have appointed Dave Rainford as their new academy director to replace Stephen Torpey, who left in September to take on the same role at Manchester United.
The Bees conducted interviews in January before settling on the appointment of Rainford.
The 46-year-old former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder joins Brentford having been the head of education and academy player care at the Premier League since 2020.
Rainford’s role at the Premier League has involved working closely with academies across England, with a particular focus on player pathways.
Havertz injury latest
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal forward Kai Havertz is set to for a spell on the sidelines.
Standard Sport understands Havertz has suffered a minor muscular injury which could keep him out for a number of weeks.
Crucially, he is expected to miss tonight's game and the north London derby against Tottenham on February 22.
Andrews relishing set-piece battle
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKeith Andrews is "looking forward" to a set-piece battle tonight.
Ahead of kick-off, Arsenal have scored 15 goals from set-pieces this season - the best in the Premier League.
While, the Bees have conceded just four from set-pieces, which is the lowest figure across the entire division.
"I've got no doubt that [set-pieces] will be a huge part of the game," Andrews said.
"We can cause a lot of chaos ourselves from those situations.
"We're all looking forward to seeing how that story unfolds."
Gyokeres transformation explained
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is too soon to say that Viktor Gyokeres is now the man to fire Arsenal to the Premier League title, but he is showing clear signs of the kind of form he showed in Portugal to persuade Arsenal to spend £64million last summer, writes Matt Verri.
Asked after the win over Sunderland what had changed in his use of Gyokeres to get the striker firing, Mikel Arteta replied: “Well, obviously, he came on in moments as well when the game probably was a little bit more open. Today he had more company as well, in and around him.”
Space and support have been the two keys factors in Arsenal getting the best out of Gyokeres.
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Arsenal predicted XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneViktor Gyokeres is pushing to return to the Arsenal side for their trip to Brentford.
The striker scored twice off the bench against Sunderland at the weekend and could be rewarded by getting the nod at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Bukayo Saka is set to be unavailable again as he continues to manage a hip injury, but it remains uncertain whether Martin Odegaard will be available.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli; Gyokeres.
Zubimendi defies expectations
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt does not require much digging to find out just how highly Mikel Arteta rates Martin Zubimendi, writes Matt Verri.
Zubimendi is the only outfield player to start every single one of Arsenal's 25 matches in the Premier League this season, especially impressive considering this is his first experience of a campaign without a winter break.
He ranks second across the entire league for interceptions in the opposition half and only Declan Rice has had more touches of the ball for Arsenal.
Those stats are no real surprise for a player of Zubimendi's profile and quality, but it is his form in front of goal that has defied expectations.
Today's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 of Brentford's 39 Premier League points this season have been won here at the Gtech Community Stadium.
This includes wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle, in addition to draws with Tottenham and Chelsea.
Arsenal, though, have won on each of their last four visits to the ground.
Brentford vs Arsenal latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford to win: 4/1
Arsenal to win: 8/15
Draw: 5/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Bees last beat Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021-22 campaign, with their 2-0 home win sealed by a late goal from a certain Christian Norgaard.
Brentford wins: 6
Arsenal wins: 10
Draws: 5
Brentford vs Arsenal prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal are in fine form at the moment, but will need to keep their wits about them as they face the upwardly-mobile Brentford.
Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
