Preview: Arsenal targeting second in 2025 opener at Brentford
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign is back on track, but insofar as the title fight goes, that challenge may have already fallen by the wayside and a trip to Brentford to kick off 2025 might show why.
By Karl Matchett
Fortress Gtech
Up until recently, the Bees enjoyed a near-perfect home record at the Gtech Community Stadium. Thomas Frank’s side have been poor on the road, without a win all season, but on home soil they have been nothing short of excellent: seven wins from eight games up until they lost to Nottingham Forest in their most recent match. Given Forest sit second in the table, above even the Gunners, that’s nothing to be ashamed about and they’ll have every reason to hope they can trouble Arsenal too.
The Gunners’ own recent record at the stadium is impressive though; after being overwhelmed in 2021, with Brentford making their Premier League bow on a Friday night in front of super-noisy home fans and winning 2-0, Mikel Arteta’s team have since won 3-0, 1-0 and 1-0 across league and cup in the ground. At the Emirates it has also been almost all Arsenal’s way, so six in a row unbeaten against this opposition – and the promise of second place being theirs if they win – means the Gunners have both motivation and reason for optimism, even if their away form has wavered this term. Still, two wins and two draws on the road from the last four shows they’ve steadily improved there too – but eight points fewer than leaders Liverpool away from home is a big indicator of where they’ve fallen short.
Recent form
A big win at Crystal Palace and a narrow one over Ipswich mean Arsenal have second place in their own hands, given Man City’s ongoing decline and Chelsea’s Christmas hangover. A battle with Nottingham Forest was unexpected, but consistency and experience should see Arsenal win that battle over the longer term, with even a point enough to go second here.
As for the hosts, Brentford were on a very decent run up until mid-December, but Frank’s side looked to have run out of steam a little of late. Three straight defeats to Chelsea, Newcastle (League Cup) and Nottingham Forest were a tough run in fairness, and a stalemate at Brighton was a show of defensive resolve and a return to taking points.
Team news
The Bees’ fine winter form was all the more notable because of an ongoing injury crisis, which goalkeeper Mark Flekken looks to have joined. He’s among 11 possible absentees: Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer and Sepp van den Berg are big defensive absences, but Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Thiago, Ben Mee and others could all be starters too.
The Gunners remain without Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Ben White but otherwise look strong.
Key player
Martin Ødegaard took four shots and created two chances against Ipswich but hasn’t been as electric since returning from injury. His team need the captain to shine again, given he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for creativity. He’s overdue a goal.
Prediction
A noisy and enjoyable way to kick-start the league in 2025, with both teams going at each other and the goals flowing freely: 2-2.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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