Game Week 14 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Brentford

Arsenal vs Brentford Preview: Pressure to beat in-form Bees at Emirates, long throws & counter-attacks threaten, but Arteta's side expected to win.

Arsenal must beat Brentford to restore their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table when the Bees visit on Wednesday. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Arsenal vs Brentford

Emirates Stadium

8:30pm

Manchester City played out an entertaining 5-4 result at Fulham on Tuesday. We will come back to how they conceded four and nearly settled for a draw, but three points took them to within two of Arsenal.

Arsenal is condemned to win on Wednesday against Brentford. Coached by someone football folks would typically call a “P.E.” teacher with no prior senior coaching experience, what a season he’s having with the Bees, and next on their plate is the log leaders.

Arsenal is under pressure, not only from Manchester City and Chelsea but also from the media, who over-index on every Arsenal result. While a win over Brentford restores some calm into the Arsenal fold, anything short of that reinforces the noise from the outside.

Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, albeit with their hosts reduced to ten men since the first half. There will always be scrutiny into whatever Arsenal does, and the club must try everything they can to shut out the noise. The title remains theirs to lose; however, the chasing pack is getting stronger.

Brentford isn’t under any form of pressure here. They can easily see this as a free hit which could swing anywhere. The Bees have taken points off the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool already this season; they won’t mind a sweeter one off the Gunners.

Depending on surrounding results, Brentford could move up to sixth on the log if they manage to do what only Liverpool has been able to do this season, which is to beat Arsenal. It might be a tall order considering it’s happening at the Emirates; however, this is the Premier League, and nothing is impossible.

How can Brentford hurt Arsenal? Long throws are back, and the Bees are the major protagonists. Keith Andrews can unleash Kayode and his long throws to trouble the Arsenal defence; that is one way they can rattle the Gunners on Wednesday.

Beyond that, the pace of Kevin Schade, the trickery of Django Outtarra and the hold-up play and finishing skills of Igor Thiago could help Brentford on the break; however, do they have what it takes to stop Arsenal at the other end?

Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard returned against Chelsea. Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba’s injury is a matter of days, which means if he misses this one, he could be available for Aston Villa. This means Arsenal has rich options in the final third. Does Brentford have a chance?

Verdict: Arsenal to win.