Game Week 8 Predictions: Brentford to haunt Arsenal again

It will be a straight battle between Ivan Toney and Gabriel Jesus on Sunday when both clubs meet in the premier league. (Photo credit: ESPN)

Brentford vs Arsenal
Brentford Community Stadium
12:00pm

This fixture brought surreal experience to fans of Brentford last season as their first ever topflight football ended in a sensational win over the Gunners.

The win set the tone for a fine first attempt for the Bees but this would be a different ball game literally with Arsenal having reasons to respond to Saturday results after Manchester City and Tottenham both picked vital wins.

Arsenal will feel a sense of déjà vu with few players coming out as doubts for the fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday; Alex Zinchenko has been ruled out for two weeks and word on the street is that William Saliba and Martin Odegaard may miss the game as well.

The Gunners lost for the first time this season at Old Trafford last time they played in the league but there were clear signs of the good works they have been on to since the season began; the burial arrangements of the Queen necessitated the postponement of their Europa fixture against PSV on Thursday and the game will now be played in a fortnight with the visit of City postponed.

Brentford can win on Sunday to prove it wasn’t a fluke last season and to also establish themselves as a force; the Bees already recorded a high-profile win at home to Manchester United and boy, didn’t they do it emphatically?

Brentford will press Arsenal and punish every single mistake; Arsenal must be at their very best to stand a chance. The Gunners have won a few difficult games this season, especially away to Palace and at home to Fulham – where they went behind and bounced back to win.

Ivan Toney is a man to watch for the hosts on Sunday, his tweet after the opening day win last season drew Arteta’s attention and it was one of the tools the Arsenal manager used to motivate his men last season, will he do it again?

Arsenal will need Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli to fire them to greatness; Bukayo Saka scored against Manchester United, he would hope that begins a good run for him in the league but the key to success in this fixture will be the quality of both defenses.