Brentford make three changes to the starting XI named for the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool. Nathan Collins, Mathias Jensen and Mads Roerslev are all out of action; Frank Onyeka, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Saman Ghoddos take their places.
Arsenal also make three changes to their team, after their 3-1 victory over Burnley. Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard both return from injury; Jorginho and Kai Havertz drop to the bench. Meanwhile in goal, Aaron Ramsdale takes over from David Raya, who is ineligible against the club he’s on loan from.
Brentford: Flekken, Ajer, Mee, Pinnock, Janelt, Onyeka, Norgaard, Yarmolyuk, Mbeumo, Ghoddos, Wissa.
Subs: Goode, Maupay, Jorgensen, Strakosha, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Baptiste, Olakigbe, Brierley.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Saka, Rice, Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard, Martinelli.
Subs: White, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Havertz, Hein.
Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).
August 2021, and in the opening match of the new Premier League season, this happened …
… and after another couple of defates, Mikel Arteta’s jacket was hanging from a shoogly peg. But the Arsenal boss turned things around, de-shoogled his coat-dangling device, and now his team are serial title-chasers. Since that famous chastening defeat, the Gunners have returned to the Brentford Community Stadium twice, winning 3-0 last season, and knocking the Bees out of the League Cup a couple of months ago. They arrive in good form and looking to make it three wins here on the bounce.
Brentford meanwhile are still Brentford. Relative minnows but ones capable of sheer brilliance on their day. It’s going to be fun finding out which Brentford turns up this evening. Kick off is at 5.30pm GMT. It’s on!