What should Arsenal's approach to Brentford game be?

Arsenal welcome London rivals Brentford to Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening off the back of a brilliant 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Gunners' encounter with the Bees comes sandwiched in between the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final, and that could make the game a bit awkward. With Mikel Arteta's side tasked with protecting a hefty advantage in the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu, some will be torn over how they should approach this weekend's cross-capital clash.

A number of fans will want Arsenal to take a lax approach to the tie in order to rest key players but it will be important to keep them match fit so they are fully ready to face off against Los Blancos. There will be disagreements no matter what but just what should Arsenal's approach to their game against Brentford be?

What should Arsenal's approach to Brentford game be?

Following on from Declan Rice's free kick heroics on Tuesday night, Arsenal boast a comfortable advantage as they look towards next week's second leg against Real Madrid. However, an awkward clash with Brentford arrives before they make the trip to sunny Spain.

Many are unsure what Arsenal's approach to this game should be with such a huge game just around the corner. With the prospect of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League potentially just 90 minutes away, the Gunners won't want to waste their supplies on a home tie against an up-and-down Brentford side.

It's likely that the fans will be calling for Mikel Arteta to give the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino a well-deserved rest on Saturday, but that might not be the wisest decision. The Gunners should probably keep some high-profile names in the side for the game against Brentford.

Of course, the Champions League should be the Gunners' key focus but they have to acknowledge that the title race is still alive. Liverpool's shaky form in recent weeks has shown they are not indestructible with their advantage at the top of the table now dropped to 11 points. While overtaking them will be some task, Arsenal showed with their first leg performance against Madrid that they are capable of thrashing any side and if their title rivals continue to struggle, a grandstand finish to the league season does all of a sudden look doable.

Obviously we can't be getting our hopes up too much but I would personally be very frustrated if Arsenal field a weakened side against Brentford, fail to win and then come the end of the season, there is a matter of a few points separating them and would-be champions Liverpool.

Arteta opted to play a weaker XI in last weekend's trip to Everton and that ended up a 1-1 stalemate. Liverpool went onto lose 3-2 to Fulham a day later, meaning if Arsenal had come out that bit stronger at Goodison Park, the points gap could have been two less. Granted, the Gunners were on the end of a controversial penalty decision that helped the Toffees snatch the draw, but the lack of strength in the side from off was frustrating to say the least.

No way should Arteta send all of his best men out against Brentford but he must include players that can make a difference. He needs to have one eye on next week's second leg but should also remember his side will be presented with another chance to put pressure on Liverpool.

The Bees are a tricky side and if they have the stronger XI out at the Emirates, they will more than favour themselves to grab a result. A win has to be the priority for Arsenal, regardless of future games.

Arsenal's approach to their game against Brentford should be more of the same. Arteta has to field some important players but can afford to rest some of his bigger names. The Champions League has to be the Gunners' main focus for the rest of the season but while the title race is still mathematically alive, they must not take a lax approach to any more games, and Saturday's London derby is no exception.

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