Having seemingly come away from the November international break with no new injury concerns, Mikel Arteta will be relishing Arsenal’s return to Premier League action this Saturday.
The Gunners travel to Brentford at the weekend as they look to pick up from where they left off prior to the international period. Arsenal have won their last two matches, most recently beating Burnley 3-1 in the Premier League.
Arteta will have his fingers crossed that the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White will all return, but he will still be without a few important members of his squad for the clash with the Bees.
Here’s how Arteta could line his Arsenal side up against Brentford on Saturday.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – With David Raya ineligible to face his parent club, Ramsdale will get a chance to impress Arteta on his return to the starting lineup. The 25-year-old kept a clean sheet at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Carabao Cup earlier this term.
RB: Ben White – The former Brighton man was a surprise absentee for the clash with Burnley before the international break, but should be fit after a minor injury. However, in Takehiro Tomiyasu he has an able deputy.
CB: William Saliba – The Frenchman has been in brilliant form yet again this season, blossoming into one of the best central defenders in the league. Scored his first goal of the campaign against Burnley and will need to be sharp to keep Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo at bay.
CB: Gabriel – Arteta may be slightly concerned about his freshness given he played 72 minutes for Brazil against Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning. However, he should start for Arsenal.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – His Ukraine side were unfortunate not to qualify automatically for Euro 2024 after a goalless draw with Italy, robbed of the opportunity to grab a winner after a late penalty claim was waved away. Zinchenko, who also scored against Burnley, will need to use his frustration positively against Brentford.
CM: Martin Odegaard – The Norwegian has been unavailable for Arsenal’s last three games but could be set for a recall to the starting lineup. Brentford will certainly be hoping the influential Odegaard is still missing.
CM: Jorginho – The midfielder has enjoyed more minutes than he may have expected this season, preferred in recent weeks as the holding player in a central three. Jorginho may start again to allow Declan Rice to take up a more advanced role.
CM: Declan Rice – Unfortunately for Arteta, Rice was used in both of England’s dead rubbers over the international break. The midfielder came out unscathed and is likely to be pivotal against Brentford such is his significance to the Arsenal team already.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Without a goal in his last four Premier League matches, Saka will want to add to his season tally against Brentford. With Rico Henry sidelined, the 22-year-old should get some joy down the right flank.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Returned to action against Argentina for Brazil and could be in line for a first Arsenal start since the away victory over Sevilla in October. However, given Jesus played on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, Eddie Nketiah could potentially get the nod.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – The third Gabriel from the Gunners to feature for Brazil midweek, Martinelli could also be rested in place of Leandro Trossard if fatigued. However, the 22-year-old’s explosivity could cause Brentford problems down the right-hand side, especially if 6’5 Kristoffer Ajer starts at wing-back.
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