Arsenal vs Brentford — Match Preview
A London derby under the lights awaits at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday as league leaders Arsenal host Brentford.1 Mikel Arteta’s Gunners sit top of the Premier League table with 30 points, but they missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead after a gritty 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend.2 With Manchester City and Liverpool breathing down their necks, Arsenal know that home form is non-negotiable if they want to lift the title.
Visiting them is a Brentford side that has found stability under manager Keith Andrews. Sitting 10th in the table, the Bees arrive with renewed confidence after a convincing 3-1 victory over Burnley.3 However, their away form remains a concern, and the Emirates has historically been a fortress against them. With Arsenal looking to reassert their dominance and Brentford hoping to claim a massive scalp, this mid-week clash promises intensity and tactical intrigue.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Arsenal vs Brentford
- Competition: Premier League (Matchweek 14)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London (Capacity: 60,704)
- Date: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
- Kickoff Time: 19:30 GMT / 20:30 CET / 01:00 IST (Thursday)
- Referee: Tony Harrington
- VAR: TBC
- TV Channel (UK): Amazon Prime Video
- TV Channel (USA): Peacock Premium
- TV Channel (India): Star Sports Select, Disney+ Hotstar
- Live Stream: Amazon Prime (UK), JioStar (India)
Arsenal vs Brentford — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Arsenal:
- Position: 1st in Premier League (30 Points).6
- Form: Strong but slightly stalled. Before the 1-1 draw at Chelsea, they had won three in a row, including a massive 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich and a 4-1 thrashing of Tottenham.7
- Current Challenge: Managing a mounting injury list. With defensive leader Gabriel out and key attackers like Kai Havertz questionable, Arteta’s squad depth is being tested during this busy festive period.
Brentford:
- Position: 10th in Premier League (19 Points).8
- Form: Mixed. They have won 2 of their last 5, with the recent 3-1 win vs Burnley snapping a brief losing streak.
- Current Challenge: Away form consistency. While strong at home, they recently lost 2-1 to Brighton and 2-0 to Crystal Palace on the road.9 Keith Andrews needs to find a formula that works away from the Gtech Community Stadium.
Arsenal vs Brentford — What’s at Stake
For Arsenal:
- Title Momentum: Dropping points in back-to-back London derbies would invite unnecessary pressure. A win keeps them in the driver’s seat and restores the “fear factor” at the Emirates.
For Brentford:
- Top Half Consolidation: A result here would be a massive bonus and solidify their status as a top-10 side. It would also prove that life after Thomas Frank is heading in the right direction.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Team Form
Arsenal (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Chelsea (1-1)
- W vs Bayern Munich (3-1 – CL)10
- W vs Tottenham (4-1)11
- D vs Sunderland (2-2)12
- W vs Slavia Prague (3-0 – CL)13
Brentford (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Burnley (3-1)14
- L vs Brighton (1-2)
- W vs Newcastle (3-1)15
- L vs Crystal Palace (0-2)16
- W vs Grimsby (5-0 – EFL)17
Arsenal vs Brentford — Team News
Arsenal:
- Gabriel Magalhães: Out (Muscle Injury – A huge loss at the heart of defense).
- Kai Havertz: Questionable (Knee Injury – Late fitness test required).
- Leandro Trossard: Questionable (Injury – May make the bench at best).
- Jurriën Timber: Likely to partner Saliba in central defense if Gabriel is out.
- Mikel Merino: Expected to continue in midfield to add physicality.
Brentford:
- Fábio Carvalho: Out (Knee Injury – Missing his creative spark against his former rivals).
- Josh Dasilva: Out (Knee Injury).
- Antoni Milambo: Out (Knee Injury).
- Igor Thiago: Questionable (Injury – The Brazilian striker is a major doubt; if he misses out, Kevin Schade or Yoane Wissa will lead the line).
- Bryan Mbeumo: Fully fit and will be the main danger man.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Head to Head
- 12 Apr 2025: Arsenal 1–1 Brentford18
- 01 Jan 2025: Brentford 1–3 Arsenal19
- 09 Mar 2024: Arsenal 2–1 Brentford20
- 25 Nov 2023: Brentford 0–1 Arsenal21
- 28 Sep 2023: Brentford 0–1 Arsenal (EFL Cup)
Arsenal vs Brentford — Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Arteta is forced to shuffle his defense. Calafiori continues at left-back.
- GK: David Raya
- RB: Ben White
- CB: William Saliba
- CB: Jurriën Timber (Replacing Gabriel)
- LB: Riccardo Calafiori
- CM: Declan Rice
- CM: Thomas Partey
- CM: Martin Ødegaard (C)
- RW: Bukayo Saka
- ST: Gabriel Jesus (or Havertz if fit)
- LW: Gabriel Martinelli22
Brentford (4-3-3):
Keith Andrews will likely stick to a counter-attacking setup.
- GK: Mark Flekken
- RB: Mads Roerslev
- CB: Nathan Collins23
- CB: Ethan Pinnock
- LB: Rico Henry
- CM: Vitaly Janelt
- CM: Christian Nørgaard (C)
- CM: Mathias Jensen
- RW: Bryan Mbeumo
- ST: Kevin Schade (Replacing Thiago if unfit)
- LW: Keane Lewis-Potter
Arsenal vs Brentford — Impact Bench Options
Arsenal:
- Raheem Sterling: The veteran winger offers directness and experience if Arsenal struggle to break down the low block.
- Ethan Nwaneri: The youngster has been electric in cameos and could provide a spark in midfield.
Brentford:
- Mikkel Damsgaard: A creative option off the bench who can unlock defenses with his passing.
- Yoane Wissa: If he doesn’t start, he is a proven goalscorer who can change the game in the final 30 minutes.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Tactical Outlook
Arsenal:
- Playing Style: Possession Dominance. Arsenal will camp in Brentford’s half, looking to move the ball quickly side-to-side to stretch the Bees’ defensive block. With Gabriel out, they must be wary of long balls over the top targeting Timber’s lack of aerial height compared to the Brazilian.
- Weakness: Set-Piece Defense. Without Gabriel, Arsenal lose their most dominant aerial defender. Brentford are masters of set-plays and will target this weakness.
Brentford:
- Playing Style: Mid-Block & Counter. Andrews has kept the core principles of the “Brentford Way.” They will look to absorb pressure and release Mbeumo and Lewis-Potter into the channels behind Arsenal’s full-backs.
- Strength: Transition Speed. They transition from defense to attack incredibly fast. If Arsenal overcommit, Brentford will punish them.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Riccardo Calafiori vs. Bryan Mbeumo | The Danger Zone: Mbeumo is Brentford’s best player. Calafiori loves to invert into midfield; if he gets caught out, Mbeumo has a free run. | Brentford |
| Martin Ødegaard vs. Christian Nørgaard | Captain’s Duel: Ødegaard needs space to create. Nørgaard’s job is to man-mark him out of the game. | Arsenal |
| Bukayo Saka vs. Rico Henry | Speed vs. Speed: A classic duel. Henry is one of the few full-backs fast enough to keep up with Saka. | Arsenal |
Arsenal vs Brentford — Spotlight Players
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal):
The “Starboy” is always the man for the big occasion. With Brentford likely defending deep, his ability to beat his man 1v1 and deliver quality crosses or shots will be the key to unlocking the defense.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford):
He is the talisman. Whether creating or scoring, everything good Brentford does goes through him. Against an Arsenal defense missing Gabriel, Mbeumo will fancy his chances of cutting inside and curling one home.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Fan Reactions
Arsenal Fans:
“No Gabriel is scary, but Timber is class. We need to bounce back after the Chelsea draw.”
“Saka hat-trick incoming! We own London derbies at the Emirates.”
Brentford Fans:
“We beat Burnley, now let’s shock the league leaders! Mbeumo is going to cook Calafiori.”
“Just don’t concede in the first 15 minutes. Stay in the game and we have a chance.”
Arsenal vs Brentford — Match-Defining Factors
- The Early Goal: Arsenal have been lethal when scoring early at home (like vs Spurs). If they get one in the first 20 minutes, Brentford could crumble.
- Set Pieces: This is the key battleground. Arsenal (without Gabriel) vs Brentford (set-piece specialists). A corner or free-kick could decide this game.
- Havertz’s Fitness: If Havertz plays, Arsenal have a focal point. If not, they might lack physical presence in the box against Pinnock and Collins.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Prediction
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Brentford
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Arsenal to Win.
- Total Goals: Under 3.5 Goals (Brentford will defend deep; Arsenal might control rather than thrash).
- Clean Sheet: Arsenal (Raya will be motivated against his old club).
Analysis: Arsenal are simply too strong at home to bet against, even with injuries. Brentford’s poor away form suggests they will struggle to contain the Gunners for 90 minutes. While Mbeumo is a threat, Arsenal’s control of possession should limit his opportunities. Expect a professional, controlled victory for Arteta’s men.
Arsenal vs Brentford — Final Word
Arsenal need to get back to winning ways to keep their title charge on track, and a home derby against Brentford is the perfect opportunity. While the Bees will offer a stern physical test, the quality of Saka and Ødegaard should prove too much in the end. Expect the Gunners to retain their spot at the summit of the Premier League.
Arsenal vs Brentford — FAQs
When is the Arsenal vs Brentford match?
The match kicks off on Wednesday, 03 December 2025, at 19:30 GMT.24
Is Gabriel playing for Arsenal?
No, Gabriel Magalhães is ruled out with a muscle injury.
Who is the Brentford manager?
Keith Andrews is the current head coach of Brentford.25
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can watch live on Star Sports Select and stream on Disney+ Hotstar or JioStar.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Will Arsenal stay top of the pile, or can the Bees sting the Gunners? Drop your score predictions below!
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