The 2021-22 Premier League season kicks off on Friday with a clash between newly-promoted Brentford and 13-time winners Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The Gunners are coming off of an underwhelming pre-season campaign in which they lost three of their six matches, including back-to-back defeats to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
But they will be buoyed by the fact they have not lost an away game on the opening day of the Premier League season since a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland in 2000.
Brentford, meanwhile, are preparing for their first game in England’s top-flight in 74 years. Thomas Frank’s side secured promotion after finishing third in the Championship and winning the playoffs.
The most recent meeting between the two sides came in 2018 in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Arsenal defeated Brentford 3-1 on that occasion.
Brentford vs Arsenal – Team News
Brentford
Star striker Ivan Toney has shaken off a neck injury and is fit for Friday’s clash. Josh Dasilva will miss the game due to a hip problem, while Mathias Jensen is also unavailable due to injury.
Inside your Match Programme 📕 @Arsenal
Featuring an exclusive interview with Christian Nørgaard, our first issue of the @premierleague season is available to pre-order now!
What's inside ➡️ https://t.co/qL8f9jFEsc@AcaCreative | #BrentfordFC 🐝 pic.twitter.com/IZ4PVfeiYt
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 12, 2021
Thomas Frank is likely to employ a three-man defence consisting of Pontus Jansson, Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer.
Arsenal
Arsenal will be without the services of midfielder Thomas Partey, who picked up an ankle problem against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly. Striker Eddie Nketiah has also been ruled out due to an ankle injury, while the game comes too soon for Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
New signings Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokongo are expected to make their Premier League debuts. Bukayo Saka could feature from the bench, with Nicolas Pepe retaining his spot on the right flank and Alexandre Lacazette leading the attack.
Brentford vs Arsenal – Predicted Lineups
Brentford predicted lineup: David Raya; Pontus Jansson, Kristoffer Ajer, Ethan Pinnock; Mads Roerslev Rasmussen, Vitaly Janelt, Frank Onyeka, Christian Norgaard, Rico Henry; Brian Mbeumo, Ivan Toney
Arsenal predicted lineup: Bernd Leno; Calum Chambers, Ben White, Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney; Albert Sambi Lokonga, Granit Xhaka; Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette
Brentford vs Arsenal- Key Players
Brentford – Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney was instrumental in Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League, scoring a record 31 goals last season. He will have a crucial role to play this season as well if Brentford are to stay up.
Toney will look to exploit the spaces behind Arsenal’s defence with his well-timed runs. He is a superb finisher and if he gets the slightest sniff at goal, Arsenal will be in trouble.
He is also strong in the air and can trouble the likes of Pablo Mari and Ben White, who are not the most physical defenders.
Arsenal – Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe had a breakout campaign last season and he will look to build on that success this year.
The young English midfielder will be tasked with unlocking the Brentford defence and creating chances for the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette. Smith Rowe also has a great engine and will be responsible for pressing Brentford high up the field.
Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Arsenal
