Arsenal vs Brentford Prediction & Tips
Arsenal increased their chances of finishing the campaign in the top four of the table with a decisive 1-0 win against Wolves on the final matchday, despite receiving their 15th red card under Mikel Arteta – nearly double than the next worst team on that record during that period. Arteta commented after the match that he “ran out of ideas” on how to combat the problem, but at least it highlights the team’s new determination that has seen them keep 11 clean sheets in the Premier League (PL) this season – a figure that it certainly could have been higher if they had kept 11 players on the field more often.
That win against Wolves was Arsenal’s first of 2022, but with teams around them letting points slip recently, avenging their opening day loss to Brentford could put the “Gunners” in a great place in the contention for the positions that give access to the Champions League. However, they are winless in two PL home games, and struggle to score goals, but are generally strong at the Emirates, where they have opened the scoring in nine PL games and only conceded two goals in the first half.
That has been Brentford’s Achilles heel this season, as they have conceded the first goal in 17 league games – tied for the most in the competition – resulting in them trailing at half-time on 12 occasions – the worst record in the PL season. They put a stop to the bad timing last weekend with a 0-0 draw, a result that also stopped their PL losing streak (five games).
Recent away performances have played a part in the early season euphoria surrounding the club which is now perilously close to the relegation zone, with the ‘Bees’ failing to win in their last eight league games in rival ground (E2, P6) after being undefeated in their first four games. The manner in which those defeats played out worries manager Thomas Frank, with Brentford being beaten by multi-goal margins in each game.
Players to watch: Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has scored on Matchday 26 in three successive years (G3), while Brentford will be relieved Ivan Toney is back after he scored his last three goals.
Featured fact: No team has recorded more PL defeats both at half-time and at the end of the game this season than Brentford (ten).
Arsenal – Brentford FREE TIPS
Arsenal – Win @ 1.55
