Brentford host Arsenal on Wednesday with an intriguing clash to kick off 2025 in the Premier League.
WATCH — Brentford v Arsenal
The Bees have lost their way a bit in recent weeks as injuries continue to pile up for Thomas Frank’s side. They drew 0-0 at Brighton on Friday but they’ve now failed to score in their last two games, have just one win in five and they lost their unbeaten home record last time as they were defeated by Nottingham Forest. Still, all things considered this has been a very solid start to the season for Brentford as Mbeumo, Schade and Wissa are a real handful up top.
Given the expectation at levels Arsenal will be happy enough, but not overjoyed, with their first half of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side edged past Ipswich 1-0 on Friday to close the gap to leaders Liverpool but with Bukayo Saka out injured for the next few months, Arteta will have to find a new hero to call on. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri will all back themselves to fill in for Saka and Arsenal do need to find a little bit more creativity and cutting edge in the final third.
How to watch Brentford vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Wednesday (January 1)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Brentford team news, focus
The Bees just keep on picking up injuries, especially at the back, as starting goalkeeper Mark Flekken went down against Brighton and had to come off. That meant young Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson made his Premier League debut and he did well. Young Korean center back Kim Ji-soo also made his debut as he came on against Brighton (for the injured Ben Mee) and could get his first Premier League start. Brentford’s squad is basically down to a starting XI and then plenty of youngsters on the bench.
OUT: Kristoffer Ajer (ankle), Mathias Jensen (hamstring), Ethan Pinnock (hamstring), Sepp van den Berg (groin), Igor Thiago (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Josh Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Mark Flekken (thigh), Ben Mee (undisclosed)
Arsenal team news, focus
Arteta revealed that Saka will be out for the next few months after having hamstring surgery, which is a big blow. He also said that Raheem Sterling won’t be out for as long as was previously feared, so he could be back soon and is another player who could help soften the blow of being without Saka. Martinelli struggled on the right against Ipswich so we could expect to see Jesus out there and Havertz returning to the No. 9 position. The back four is solid and the likes of Merino and Partey could start in midfield to keep things fresh.
OUT: Bukayo Saka (hamstring - MORE), Raheem Sterling (knee), Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee)
Brentford vs Arsenal prediction
The Gunners always seem to struggle against Brentford but their is a ruthless streak to them now and they will find a way to win. Brentford 1-2 Arsenal
