Arsenal tasted defeat for the first time in the Premier League this season when they were gunned down by Manchester United at Old Trafford and a second major test of their character awaits when they cross London to take on Brentford today. The Bees are unbeaten on home soil and they put nine goals combined past Manchester United and Leeds at the Community Stadium.
Below, we’ve assembled a treasure trove of stats for today’s game with nuggets on shots, xG, corners, cards, fouls and more, all of which can be used in your bet builders for the contest.
Predicted Lineups
Brentford hammered Leeds 5-2 in their last league assignment and Bees’ Head Coach Thomas Frank could stick with the same XI that performed so well against the Yorkshiremen.
In that scenario, 21-year-old Keane Lewis-Potter would keep his place in attack ahead of Yoane Wissa. Ivan Toney, who notched a hattrick against Leeds, was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week.
Oleksandr Zinchenko joins Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe on the sidelines this week, though Thomas Partey should be fit enough to slot back into midfield.
Arsenal’s front four picks itself, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli operating in the spaces behind Gabriel Jesus.
Team Stats
Brentford have only lost once in six games this season, though stats buffs will tell you that their underlying numbers suggest a prolonged surge in form is probably unlikely.
The Bees are conceding more shots (15.20) and shots against (5.83) p/90 than they are mustering at the other end, while their xG against (1.78 p/90) is also meatier than their xG for (1.67).
Arsenal are the Premier League’s early pace-setters and their match stats for the campaign provide Gunners’ supporters with plenty of reasons for optimism.
Mikel Arteta’s charges are letting loose with 17.33 shots p/90 – which is the league’s second-highest figure behind Liverpool, while their xG against (0.82) is the division’s second-best after Man City.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Yoanne Wissa carries the heaviest numbers for both shots (2.68) and shots on target per 90 (1.34) for Brentford, though he has been fielded from the start just three times by Thomas Frank this season.
Brian Mbuemo also ranks well in both metrics, though Ivan Toney’s shots on target p/90 rate (0.83) is surprisingly low. Incredibly, the 26-year-old has scored five goals from just six shots on target this season overall.
Every member of Arsenal’s formidable front four features heavily in the club’s list of players with the most prolific shot stats with Brazilian pair Gabriel Jesus (3.46 p/90) and Gabriel Martinelli (3.44) leading the way.
Centre-half Gabriel sneaks onto the list with 1.33 shots per 90, highlighting the Gunners’ threat from set plays. Only Liverpool (5) have scored more goals from set pieces than Arsenal (4) so far.
Player Goals and Assists
Ivan Toney (7 goal contributions) has been Brentford’s star attraction in attack and the ex-Newcastle youngster is well on his way to smashing his haul for the previous campaign (12).
Yoane Wissa, Brian Mbuemo and Josh Dasilva have all netted twice each, with the latter hoping to see minutes against his old club today.
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have had a hand in 12 of Arsenal’s 14 Premier League goals this season. Bukayo Saka finally got up and running for the year with a consolation effort at Old Trafford last time out.
Granit Xhaka seems to have a slightly more creative brief this term and the Swiss international already has two assists. He finished the previous campaign without a single one to his name.
Brentford Cards
Aaron Hickey has been keen to make an impression with the Bees following his summer move from Bologna and the young Scottish fullback’s over-enthusiasm has led to three bookings already.
Directed to press from the front, Yoane Wissa (2.33) and Ivan Toney (1.67) commit a decent number of fouls p/90 and while centre-half Ben Mee (1 card) isn’t shy about taking one for the teams if Brentford’s lines are broken.
Gabriel Martinelli is a confident dribbler in one-on-one situations and the Brazilian can give just about any defender a torrid time (fouled 2.93 p/90). Watch out for the 21-year-old’s tussles with Aaron Hickey today.
Ben Mee won’t relish the prospect of facing Gabriel Jesus (4.66 dribbles p/90) and his array of body swerves and feints, while Bukayo Saka (fouled 2.37 per 90) should test the discipline of Rico Henry. Saka produced a Man of the Match performance down Henry’s side when Arsenal last played Brentford in February.
Match-Ups to watch
Aaron Hickey vs Gabriel Martinelli
Ben Mee vs Gabriel Jesus
Rico Henry vs Bukayo Saka
Arsenal Cards
Gabriel Jesus (2.24 fouls p/90) has been a thorn in defenders’ sides in several ways this season and the energetic attacker has already been booked three times this season.
French centre-back William Saliba (2 cards) can get too hands-on at times, especially when he is drawn into uncomfortable areas in midfield, while Martin Odegaard (1.09 fouls per 90) has a mean streak to complement his finesse at number ten.
Shandon Baptiste has been drawing a whopping 4.55 fouls per 90 this term and the 24-year-old’s penchant for getting up close and personal with opponents leads to plenty of intervention from referees. His skirmish with Martin Odegaard today could make for interesting viewing.
Aaron Hickey’s flow tends to get disrupted when he joins the attack (fouled 1.89 p/90) and pressing machine Gabriel Jesus could drift out to his side at times to cut him off at the source.
Ivan Toney meanwhile, often gets buffeted from behind when linking play with his back to goal. William Saliba is the defender most likely to apply the pressure on Toney this afternoon.
Match-Ups to watch
Gabriel Jesus vs Aaron Hickey
William Saliba vs Ivan Toney
Martin Odegaard vs Shandon Baptiste
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And that’s it for the Brentford vs Arsenal stats pack. Hopefully this has given you everything you need for your bet builders. Good luck to anybody placing a bet and remember to keep the stakes low and stay in control.
