Brentford vs Arsenal: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

We don't have to wait long for our first taste of Premier League action in 2025 as Arsenal travel to Brentford on New Year's Day.

The Gunners extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games on Friday night by beating Ipswich Town 1-0 in north London. The Premier League title hopefuls are unlikely to dazzle while Bukayo Saka recovers from hamstring surgery, so efficiency will be the name of the game in their bid to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

The Reds extended their advantage over Arsenal at the summit to nine points with a 5-0 victory at West Ham on Sunday.

Liverpool's brilliance means the Gunners' margin for error is slim, and they're travelling to one of the best-performing home sides in the division on Wednesday. Brentford, however, are currently decimated by injuries and are winless in four games.

The west Londoners were beaten at the Gtech for the first time this season on their previous home outing against Nottingham Forest before Christmas and currently lie 12th in the table.

Here's 90min's guide to Brentford vs Arsenal on New Year's Day.

What time does Brentford vs Arsenal kick-off?

Brentford vs Arsenal H2H Results (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Brentford vs Arsenal on TV and live stream - UK & US

Brentford team news

Brentford currently have a long list of injury concerns / Julian Finney/GettyImages

Brentford's injury woes are seemingly only getting worse. Crucially, Thomas Frank has Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa available on New Year's Day, but the Bees are particularly hamstrung in defence.

They lost Mark Flekken and Ben Mee to injuries at Brighton on Friday night, with both players doubtful for this New Year's Day bout. Mathias Jensen and Sepp van den Berg are the most likely to return from their respective knocks, but the pair may miss out again.

Ethan Pinnock could miss much of January with a hamstring injury, while Kristoffer Ajer, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago are also absent for the hosts.

Brentford predicted lineup vs Arsenal

Brentford predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Collins, Kim, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade.

Arsenal team news

Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute on Friday night / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

There are no fresh concerns from Friday night's triumph over Ipswich, but there may be a small reshuffle from Arteta.

Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute last time out having recently returned from a groin injury. He'll surely feature at the Gtech, but Myles Lewis-Skelly's form at left-back doesn't warrant a dropping.

Mikel Merino could also come into the team with Kai Havertz starting up top. Arsenal are without star winger Saka and loanee Raheem Sterling due to respective hamstring and knee injuries, while full-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also out.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus.

Brentford vs Arsenal score prediction

The decimated hosts have often blown teams away on home soil this season, but they have their work cut out here having been beaten by the transition-heavy Forest before Christmas.

Arsenal will dominate possession in west London and aim to suffocate the Bees via an aggressive defensive line and fierce counter-pressing. Brentford's efficiency once they've regained possession will be key in determining how much success they'll have against a stout Gunners team which lacks a ruthless edge.

Given the absence of Saka in attack, Arsenal are even more prone to enduring outings akin to their Fulham and Everton draws in December.

This could be one of those days for Arteta's men against a depleted Brentford outfit.