Arsenal vs Brentford preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Arsenal will move to the top of the Premier League table with a victory over Brentford on Saturday evening.

The Gunners extended their domestic winning run to seven games on Monday night as they put a woeful Sheffield United to the sword on Monday night, winning 6-0 after taking a 5-0 lead into the break.

Their imperious run has thrust them right back into the mix, and they'll be looking to take advantage of Liverpool's duel with Manchester City this weekend. Arsenal are currently two points adrift of the league-leading Reds.

Brentford recorded a controversial draw at the Emirates last season and pushed Mikel Arteta's side all the way in the reverse fixture. However, the Bees are enduring a dire run of form (winless in four) and are just six points adrift of the relegation zone.

Arsenal supporters will be pleading for no VAR controversies on Saturday evening, although Paul Tierney, whose error allowed Liverpool to win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, is on duty at Stockley Park for this one. Eek.

Here's our preview of Arsenal's upcoming Premier League clash.

The boss confirmed that little has changed on the injury front heading into Saturday's game.

Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are both expected to be fit despite being withdrawn during Monday's 6-0 win as a result of injury and illness, respectively.

Thomas Partey also made his first appearance since October, but Jorginho is likely to retain his place.

Jurrien Timber continues to train with the Gunners but his return isn't expected for another few weeks. Brentford loanee David Raya is ineligible to face his parent club.

Ben Mee is a newish addition to the injury list for the visitors after he broke his foot during Brentford's 4-2 defeat at West Ham last month.

Thomas Frank will also be without Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Kevin Schade (groin), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Rico Henry (knee) and Josh Dasilva (knee) this weekend.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Brentford: Flekken; Zanka, Ajer, Collins; Roerslev; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Reguilon; Wissa, Toney.

Brentford are in a rut, and it's no surprise to see them in the position they're in when you assess the significance of their injuries and the underlying metrics.

The Bees aren't counter-attacking proficiently, underperforming from set-pieces, have missed David Raya, and have simply been much easier to play against compared to season's past. Perhaps Bryan Mbeumo was the glue all along?

Anyway, it's hard to envisage a Brentford side short on confidence and less capable of shutting opponents out of slowing down the Gunners on Saturday. Everything Arsenal do is turning to gold, at the moment.