Will Arsenal hold on to the top of the PL table?

A state of emergency has prevailed in the English capital in recent days. Until recently, it was even discussed whether the Brentford vs. Arsenal match might also fall victim to the increased security. In the meantime, however, both clubs have been given the green light, which pleased Gunners coach Arteta in particular, who would hardly have been able to find alternative dates with his team in view of the packed schedule.

On paper, meanwhile, we can look forward to an exciting London derby between two clubs who have made a very good start to the new season. After all, the surprise eighth and the leaders will face each other in a direct duel on Sunday afternoon at 13:00 German time. Of course, it is still understandable that Brentford are the clear underdogs against Arsenal according to the odds.

However, the home side should not lack confidence. After only one defeat in the first six matchdays and due to the outstandingly well-functioning offence so far, Thomas Frank’s men have set their sights high. The Gunners will oppose them with quality and footballing class, but will certainly have to push themselves to their own performance limits for a prediction of an away treble to pay off between Brentford and Arsenal.

Brentford – Statistics & current form

In the run-up to this season, Brentford were considered one of the hottest candidates for relegation to the Championship. Because the Bees were already in a steady decline in the second half of last season and lost their most important player, Christian Eriksen, in the summer, this assessment did not seem too far-fetched.

After six matchdays, however, the capital club has silenced all critics for the time being. With bold, attractive attacking football, the Red and Whites have so far been a real surprise team in England’s top division. Thanks to a record of two wins, three draws and only one defeat, the Frank team is in eighth place and has exactly as many points as Liverpool, for example.

Brentford’s attack is on a roll

The 15 goals already scored are particularly impressive. Only defending champions Manchester City have scored more goals than the west London club in their first six games. Another interesting fact is that the Bees are currently averaging 2.5 goals per match, compared to an average of only 1.3 goals, or almost half, last season. By the way, four goals have already been scored from outside the penalty area. No other Premier League club can beat that figure at this stage.

Not least because of these figures, the home side will not want to hide on Sunday. However, an attacking approach could boomerang against a solid and strong opponent. However, the task does not seem hopeless, as the Red and Whites have only lost one of the past 17 London derbies (13 wins, three draws). To put this into perspective, however, it has to be said that the majority of these city duels date back to their time in the second division.

Ivan Toney is the hopeful and forward leader

After five points from their last three matches, as well as a 5-2 win at home to Leeds in their last Premier League game to date, the in-form relegation candidates should not be underestimated. However, we think the Gunners will probably be out of their depth on Sunday, which is why we refrain from betting on the underdog between Brentford and Arsenal.

Norgaard and Pinnock are likely to continue missing. Ivan Toney will definitely be available. The English attacker has already scored five goals this season and is currently the second highest scorer in the English top flight behind Erling Haaland with seven goals.

Predicted Brentford line-up:
Raya; Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa

Last matches played by Brentford:

Premier League
18/09/2022 – Brentford 0 – 3 Arsenal FC

03/09/2022 – Brentford 5 – 2 Leeds

31/08/2022 – Crystal Palace 1 – 1 Brentford

27/08/2022 – Brentford 1 – 1 Everton

Carabao Cup
24/08/2022 – Colchester 0 – 2 Brentford

Arsenal – Statistics & current form

Actually, the second consecutive English week would end for Arsenal Football Club on Sunday. However, the death of the Queen has changed everything. First the complete Premier League matchday was cancelled last weekend, then the Europa League home match against PSV from Eindhoven could not take place either. Fresh and rested, the Gunners return to match action after ten “off” days.

Immediately before the start of the international break, it can therefore be assumed that coach Mikel Arteta will send his best possible team onto the pitch. Nelson and Elneny are the only two players who are definitely out. Smith-Rowe and Soares are still question marks. On the other hand, Thomas Partey, an important midfielder, returned to team training last week and could make his comeback as early as this weekend. The issue of fatigue should therefore not play a role at all.

Arsenal dominate opponents and look more mature than last year

Regardless, it seems that this season the Londoners have finally taken the final step from an extremely talented team to a Premier League championship contender. Their performances so far certainly suggest as much. They have won five games and lost just one, although with a bit more luck they could have won the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago. In terms of football, there are hardly any teams in England at the moment that can hold a candle to Saka, Martinelli and Co.

Since the Gunners have won five of the last eight London derbies away from home, still lead the league with 15 points and have also won four of the last six direct duels against their upcoming opponents, it is only logical that our Brentford vs Arsenal prediction is aimed more in the direction of the visiting team. With a concentrated and serious performance in the west of the capital, the next three points, which would be tantamount to defending the top of the table until the beginning of October, should be achieved.

Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

Last matches played by Arsenal:

Premier League
18/09/2022 – Brentford 0 – 3 Arsenal FC

Europa League Grp. A
08/09/2022 – FC Zurich 1 – 2 FC Arsenal

Premier League
04/09/2022 – Manchester United 3 – 1 FC Arsenal

01/09/2022 – Arsenal FC 2 – 1 Aston Villa

27/08/2022 – Arsenal FC 2 – 1 Fulham

Brentford – Arsenal Direct Comparison / H2H Record

The fact that Brentford lead the head-to-head comparison of these teams in the Premier League with six wins, three draws and three defeats is secondary in that ten of the twelve games referred to took place just before or after the Second World War. It is more interesting to look at the most recent two head-to-head duels from pre-season, in which the home team prevailed on each occasion. Arsenal won 2-1 at home, Brentford even 2-0.

Brentford – Arsenal Tip

On Sunday noon at 13:00 (live on Sky) it’s time. In the English capital London it comes to the derby Brentford vs Arsenal. Betting odds of 4.30 on a home win for the Bees underline the underdog role of coach Thomas Frank’s team, which has, however, been able to surprise in a positive way so far. Hardly anyone would have expected the West Londoners to open with nine points after six games.

The Gunners are therefore warned, but have a lot of momentum on their side and are brimming with confidence after their performances so far. Five wins in six games and an equally good performance against Manchester United that went unrewarded, combined with strong footballing displays, are enough of an argument to place a bet in the direction of Arteta’s eleven.

We have therefore decided to place a bet on the visitors’ treble between Brentford and Arsenal.