Not many would have envisioned such a strong start to the season for Brentford, given how they lost key members of staff over the summer, but the Bees have been flying under Keith Andrews. However, there has been a real dichotomy in form at home, compared to away. Five of Brentford’s six wins have come at the GTech Community Stadium, while their only loss has come against Man City. By contrast, Brentford have lost five of their six Premier League matches on the road, shipping multiple goals in all of their defeats. 

The one victory came against an out-of-sorts West Ham side, who currently sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference. Based on that, this upcoming trip to the Emirates is set to be a tough test, especially given that Arsenal have won six of the last eight head-to-head encounters against Brentford.

Brentford have an incredibly poor defensive record on their travels, so there is a real chance that Arsenal cover this selection on their own, just as they did on their last visit to the Gtech Community Stadium. Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus all managed to get on the scoresheet in that game, but Brentford did take the lead through Bryan Mbeumo, so they were at least able to give their fans something to cheer about. 

With key defensive injuries to Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, the Bees will fancy their chances of troubling the scorers once more. After keeping eight successive clean sheets from October to the start of November, the Gunners have conceded in each of their last four, including all the games that Gabriel has missed. 

With 27 goals scored from their 10 matches at the Emirates this season, Arsenal have remained a strong unit going forward, and goals are on the agenda. 

Under Thomas Frank last season, Brentford would set up in a deep block against the big sides and look to play on the break. Keith Andrews opted for similar tactics against Man City earlier in the season, and to good effect. It is likely to be one-way traffic at the Emirates, and Brentford should have plenty of defensive work to get through. If they do sit deep, the Gunners should spend most of the game in their attacking third, which brings corners into play. 

Arsenal rank 2nd in the Premier League for total corners accumulated this season, only behind London rivals Chelsea. Mikel Arteta’s men have been proficient from set piece situations this season, and they are averaging 5.7 corners per game at the Emirates. Meanwhile, Brentford have conceded a total of 13 corners across their last two league games, with this selection landing against Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Riccardo Calafiori was substituted at half-time against Chelsea, which Mikel Arteta later revealed to be because he was at risk of being sent off. Anthony Taylor dished out five yellow cards in the first-half alone, with one of those going to the Italian international.

Calafiori has typically been rested for midweek games this season, but due to his lack of involvement against the Blues, could be given a start on Wednesday night, especially given how Myles Lewis-Skelly didn’t look particularly comfortable. 

Calafiori is averaging 1.54 fouls per 90 in all competitions this season, rising to 1.65 fouls per 90 when playing at home. He is strong in his challenges, and has landed this selection in each of his last four starts. His primary matchup midweek will be Dango Ouattara who is averaging 1.77 fouls drawn per 90 this season, the highest in the Brentford squad.

Jurrien Timber opened the scoring for the Gunners in their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich last week.

In the absence of Gabriel, the Dutchman seems to have become the primary target from set pieces, and he has registered five shots in his last three games alone. Timber had an excellent chance to score the winner in stoppage time against Chelsea at the weekend, but missed from inside the box. Still, the 24-year-old has shown a tendency to pop up in dangerous positions, and already has three goals to his name this season. 

Along with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice finds himself on corner duties under Mikel Arteta, with his wand of a right foot able to deliver some quality crosses. It was Saka who provided the assist for Jurrien Timber against Bayern, but Rice accrued three key passes, including one big chance created, which was wasted. 

Rice repeated that feat against Tottenham the game before - three key passes and one big chance created, but was this time rewarded for his pinpoint accuracy, as Eberechi Eze tucked away his first of the game. That was Rice’s fifth assist of the season after just 20 appearances, underlining just how important he has been in the final third.

The 26-year-old got into double figures last season, with 10 assists from 52 appearances, and he is well on track to better that tally this campaign. Brentford are a physical side, but Arsenal have simply been a cut above from set pieces, and Declan Rice is a key reason why.

Kevin Schade has featured much more regularly this season, and has become a key player under Keith Andrews. The main reason for that is his ability to press - Andrews’ has brought a much more aggressive style of football to the GTech Community Stadium, and Brentford have seen a notable increase in their foul counts. 

Kevin Schade has been a notable contributor to that, as he is averaging 1.91 fouls per 90 this season. Last time out against Burnley, the German international accounted for three of Brentford’s seven infringements, highlighting just how intense his press can be. Schade has already been booked four times this season, including against Man City and Liverpool. 

Schade was benched when these sides last met in West London, but he started alongside Yoane Wissa in the reverse fixture at the Emirates. He only committed one foul in that game, but it was enough to earn him a booking.