Brentford vs Arsenal predicted line-ups: Confirmed team news & expected XIs

The first Premier League action of 2025 comes up on New Year’s Day when Arsenal cross London to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The game is being shown live on TNT Sports 1 with a 17:30 kick off.

Brentford v Arsenal predicted line-ups

Brentford (4-3-3): Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Collins, Ji-Soo, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey; Martinelli, Odegaard, Trossard; Havertz

Brentford v Arsenal team news

Brentford are suffering from a raft of injuries and could find the walking wounded are into double figures here.

Thomas Frank has a lengthy list of absentees, possibly as many as 11, with the likes of Kristoffer Ajer, Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey and Mathias Jensen missing out.

Ajer missed the draw with Brighton on Friday and looks likely to miss out again, while fellow defender Ben Mee went off injured in that game and will have to be assessed late for this.

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken had to be subbed off at the Amex Stadium and Hakon Valdimarsson may don the gloves again.

In the opposite dugout, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are dealing with the absence of Bukayo Saka, one of their key attacking weapons.

The loss of Saka for a couple of months is a big set-back for Arteta, with the Gunners also missing Ben White, Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arteta anticipates Saka may be ruled out for as much as two months with a hamstring problem and the England forward’s presence will be missed greatly.

Defenders White and Tomiyasu are also sitting on the sidelines, while Sterling’s limited impact since switching across London from Chelsea remains a source of frustration for the player and his boss.

Havertz leading Arsenal’s title challenge

Kai Havertz is leading the way for Arsenal as they try to stay in the title chase behind leaders Liverpool.

The German netted the only goal against a spirited Ipswich side at the Emirates, making it three in four games alongside a couple of assists in his last five.

Facing Brentford will be something he’s looking forward to. He came off the bench to net the winner at the Gtech Community Stadium last season as Arsenal triumphed 1-0 and he also scored the winner at the Emirates in a 2-1 success.

The Gunners have won their last three visits to this part of London without conceding a goal.

Brentford, however, are a reliable New Year’s Day proposition. The Bees haven’t lost any of their six games on January 1st.

If they are to get something from this one, Bryan Mbeumo could be the key to it. He’s had 14 goal involvements in his last 15 Premier League games against London opposition and will be a talisman for the home side.