Arsenal vs Brentford

Premier League pacesetters Arsenal and European hopefuls Brentford are set to face each other at the Emirates Stadium in a tricky league fixture.

Following an outrageous 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League (W11, D2), Arsenal fell to a disheartening 1-0 defeat at Sean Dyche’s Everton last time out. However, the Gunners’ fierce cross-town rivals Tottenham Hotspur did them a favor by beating second-placed Manchester City, helping Mikel Arteta’s charges keep hold of a five-point lead at the summit. Back at home after back-to-back 1-0 losses in all competitions, the hosts will fall back on their impressive nine-game unbeaten league record at the Emirates (W8, D1). Moreover, Arteta’s men have won both competitive home encounters against Brentford in the new millennium by an aggregate score of 5-2.

In the meantime, visiting Brentford thrashed relegation candidates Southampton 3-0 last weekend, extending their stellar undefeated league streak to nine games (W5, D4). With only Newcastle United (16) enjoying a longer ongoing unbeaten run in the Premier League, the ‘Bees’ will be confident about upsetting the odds again, having already outscored Man City and Liverpool during that patch. Adding to manager Thomas Frank’s confidence, his men have kept a clean sheet in their last three league outings and could make it four shutouts on the trot as a top-flight side for the first time. That’s easier said than done, as after a disastrous 3-0 home defeat in the reverse fixture, the visitors could succumb to a first-ever league double against Arsenal.