"As Arsenal gears up to face Brentford in a pivotal Premier League clash, Mikel Arteta's lineup selection will be crucial in determining the outcome. With the Gunners seeking to maintain their momentum and solidify their position in the table, the Spanish tactician must carefully balance his team's attacking flair with defensive solidity. Here, we predict the starting XI that Arteta is likely to deploy against the Bees, as Arsenal aims to secure a vital victory and keep their title aspirations on track."
Although Arsenal leads the Premier League going into 2025 and has gone 11 games without losing, the atmosphere in north London isn't exactly positive.
which will keep him out for at least a few months, is mostly to blame for that. Their 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Friday night marked the start of life without their great winger. The game perfectly captured Mikel Arteta's team's most recent incarnation: strong and well-managed, but lacking a vicious edge.
The championship contenders will have a difficult time, but they are still a strong enough team without Saka to have a chance. Surely Liverpool deserves a blip? In any case, they have a very small margin of error and will only need three points when they visit Brentford on New Year's Day.
The Gunners may line up at the Gtech like this.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - After joining the Gunners on an initial loan, Raya was unable to play against the Bees last season. However, the Spaniard is now available to play against his old team after completing a permanent transfer in the summer.
RB: Jurrien Timber - Due to Arsenal's full-back injuries, there has been a lot of Timber over the previous month. Although he is an excellent football player, burnout is a possibility.
CB: William Saliba - On Wednesday, Saliba will play a significant part in avoiding the swift Bees. There is potential for the defender to rack up another incredible haul on New Year's Day after Ipswich gave the Frenchman the freedom to complete passes on Friday.
CB: Gabriel - Arsenal's success this season has been largely attributed to set pieces, and while Saka is out, they will need Gabriel to maintain his supremacy in the opposition's box. On Friday night, he lost a gilt-edge opportunity.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly - Although Riccardo Calafiori will undoubtedly contribute, Lewis-Skelly is not deserving of being benched. Since he joined the senior setup, he has appeared completely at ease.
CM: Declan Rice - Recently, Arteta discussed how Rice's midfield position depends on the opposition. Rice should start at the base of midfield once more rather than Thomas Partey since Brentford poses a serious danger on the counter and Arsenal is expected to dominate territorially.
CM: Mikel Merino - Merino's tumbling might be useful on Wednesday when the Gunners need bodies in the box. In north London, the midfielder's career has not yet taken off.
CM: Martin Odegaard - We should anticipate seeing the captain drop wider and deeper in an attempt to control the game as he is beginning to show greater success as a metronome. But Arsenal will also need his lock-picking skills in the closing third.
RW: Gabriel Martinelli - After just one start, Arteta will not abandon the Martinelli right-wing venture. The Brazilian should get another try after faltering on Friday night.
ST: Kai Havertz - The German might play center forward again here, but he gave his greatest performance in a long time against Ipswich. Last season, Havertz scored two late goals against Brentford.
LW: Gabriel Jesus - Jesus will continue to play a flexible role off the left for the team. He will have lots of chances to occupy the box and be able to rotate freely. Last time out, he ended his mini-scoring run.