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The festivities have drawn to a close and we're entering a new year. Arsenal open their account for 2025 at the first attempt by travelling to Brentford on New Year's Day.
The mood in the red half of north London doesn't reflect that of a fanbase supporting the Premier League's second-best team that still remains in all the cup competitions. Arsenal are seemingly well-placed to enjoy a memorable 2024/25 but the long-term hamstring injury sustained by Bukayo Saka has dampened expectations considerably.
Liverpool's nine-point advantage at the summit means the margins for Arsenal are ever so slim as we veer into 2025. Victories are paramount for Mikel Arteta's side, and efficiency is the name of the game while Saka's sidelined.
The Gunners have enjoyed their trips to the Gtech since they succumbed in August 2021, but Thomas Frank's side are one of the Premier League's best performing home outfits this term. Wednesday's bout will be far from simple for a team that have seldom made things look easy in 2024/25.
Here's the team Arteta could pick on New Year's Day.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Brentford
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya (GK) - The Spaniard is finally eligible to face his former club after joining the club permanently in the summer. Raya couldn't face the Bees while on loan at Arsenal last season.
Jurrien Timber (RB) - With no timeframe for the returns of either Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu, Timber's going to continue at right-back for the foreseeable. Arteta must carefully manage the Dutchman amid a busy January.
William Saliba (CB) - A mainstay in the Arsenal XI this term, Saliba will have a big role to play in shunning a Brentford side who have scored freely at the Gtech this term.
Gabriel (CB) - This feels like a game where set-pieces could be ever so important for Arsenal. Their two victories at Brentford last season arrived by a single goal, and Wednesday's bout will likely be decided by fine margins. Gabriel remains Arsenal's primary threat from the dead ball.set pieces.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - Riccardo Calafiori is fit again, but the teenager deserves to retain his place after starring on Friday night in the slender win over Ipswich.
Midfielders
Declan Rice (DM) - Rice's legs will be needed at the base of midfield to contain Brentford's transitions, and I don't think Arteta will need Thomas Partey working in tandem with the Englishman. Rice impressed without the ball on Friday and his counter-pressing will be cruial in shunning the hosts.
Mikel Merino (CM) - With Rice occupying the base, Merino could get a chance to start. The Spaniard hasn't set the world alight since joining the club, but this feels like a game where his profile would be valuable.
Martin Odegaard (CM) - Ødegaard grew into the contest last time out and we should get used to the skipper dropping deep in a bid to influence Arsenal's possession play. Frank will doubtlessly aim to limit the Nordic playmaker on New Year's Day.
Forwards
Gabriel Martinelli (RW) - Martinelli struggled last time out, but Arteta won't give up the Brazilian down the right after one start. He'll get another opportunity to impress on Wednesday.
Kai Havertz (ST) - The German was brilliant in midfield against Ipswich but I think we'll see Arteta move Havertz back into his frontline at the Gtech. Havertz scored twice against Brentford last season, including a late winner in west London.
Gabriel Jesus (LW) - There's life in Jesus yet and he's got a big role to play for the Gunners while Saka's out. The Brazilian can perform across the frontline and he'll maraud from wherever he's stationed on Wednesday.