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Arsenal are poised for a return to Earth this weekend following the otherworldly highs of Tuesday night.
After welcoming the galacticos of Real Madrid to north London in the week, the Emirates is now preparing for the visit of Brentford on Saturday evening. While bereft of household names - Bryan Mbeumo notwithstanding - Thomas Frank's side are well-drilled opposition who have proven to be mightily tough to beat on their travels in 2025.
The Bees have rumbled Mikel Arteta's outfit before, and there's scope for the visitors to have more joy against the Gunners this weekend. Arteta will surely be prioritising Wednesday's all-important trip to the Spanish capital, so we should expect his Arsenal XI to be heavily rotated from Tuesday's 3-0 victory.
Here's how the Gunners could line up against Brentford in the Premier League.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - Raya's performance understandably went under the radar in midweek, but he was brilliant. He's been excellent all season, and he faces up against his former club here.
RB: Ben White - Jurrien Timber will be needed for the entirety of Wednesday's second leg, so I expect White to return to the fold on Saturday for his third start since returning from injury.
CB: William Saliba - There are bound to be changes from Tuesday's game, but Saliba may have to endure Brentford's physicality and speed in transition for the duration of the contest.
CB: Jakub Kiwior - After a sturdy showing in midweek, Kiwior gets another start ahead of the biggest game of his club career at the Bernabeu,
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly - I don't think Arteta turns to Kieran Tierney or Oleksandr Zinchenko, instead opting to retain the blossoming teenager. Riccardo Calafiori will hopefully return soon.
CM: Jorginho - The Italian midfielder got the nod at Goodison Park and will likely keep his place in the Premier League XI. Brentford are masters of the breakaway goal, so Jorginho must be at his astute best.
CM: Mikel Merino - Declan Rice may be fit for Saturday's game, but I don't think he should perform anything more than a cameo role after his midweek heroics. Give Merino another shot in midfield after he scored again on Tuesday.
CM: Martin Odegaard - If Bukayo Saka starts, we could see Ethan Nwaneri drift into midfield, but I think Saka appears off the bench, allowing the skipper another chance to build some confidence.
RW: Ethan Nwaneri - Saka's influence was distinct against Madrid, and Arteta would be wise to offer him more respite ahead of the second leg. Crucially, he's not injured after gingerly making his way off the pitch on Tuesday.
ST: Leandro Trossard - With Merino filling in for Rice, Trossard should assume centre-forward duties on Saturday. The Belgian was on target at Goodison, opening the scoring with a lovely finish across goal.
LW: Raheem Sterling - Arteta may as well use Sterling here, although he is available for the second leg after serving a suspension. The winger performed well at Everton last week, and should be used to give Gabriel Martinelli a rest.