3 talking points ahead of Arsenal vs Brentford

  • Gunners host Brentford at Emirates
  • Team must take a certain approach
  • Bees won't be a walkover
The Gunners will still be flying after their win over Madrid
The Gunners will still be flying after their win over Madrid | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
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Arsenal play host to Brentford on Saturday evening as they look to transition their sublime European form onto the domestic front.

The Gunners secured an emphatic 3-0 win over Real Madrid in their last outing to put themselves in a comfortable position ahead of next week's second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Two brilliant free kicks by Declan Rice had Mikel Arteta's side cruising before Mikel Merino put the seal on victory with a well-taken effort.

Their last league outing wasn't as successful however as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in their final visit to Goodison Park. Leandro Trossard had put Arsenal ahead but a controversial penalty decision in the second half allowed Iliman Ndiaye to score from the spot and ensure the spoils were shared.

As the Gunners look to get back to winning ways in the league, there are three key talking points ahead of their clash with London rivals Brentford.


1. Must take a certain approach

Mikel Arteta
Arteta won't want to give anything away | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

With a crucial second leg against Real Madrid just days after the matchup with Brentford, there is no doubt that will be very much on Mikel Arteta's mind when he decides how to approach the tie.

It may be tempting for the Gunners boss to rest most of his key players in order to protect them from injury but he mustn't succumb to those desires. While there will be some room for maneouvere in the starting XI, he should be fielding a relatively strong side to go to battle with the Bees.

The Premier League title race is still alive and with Liverpool's recent stumbles, it does look like if Arsenal can keep their foot on the pedal, they could do a good job of fighting for the crown. The only way they can maintain their hopes however is to take every remaining game seriously and they must do so against Brentford. Of course, Arteta can afford to rest some players but they can not approach this game as if it is a dead rubber.

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