Arsenal vs Brentford 12.04.2025 - KO 17:30 GMT

This could be one of those after the Lord Mayor’s show matches. Brentford are certainly dangerous going forward with Mbeumo and Wissa so really it depends who we put out.

I want us to finish as high up the table as possible, but equally I want us to be able to rest players for the match at the Bernabeu next week


Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Partey, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino, Sterling


Have Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard on the bench in case they are needed

0-3 Wissa hatter

we need to rest as many players as possible

ofc it would be a good game to play Neto rather than Raya but, oh wait, he's a loanee from Brentford... :doh:

anyway...

Setford
Nicholls Sweet Kucynski Tierney
Jorg
M'Hand Zin
Kabia NBO Sterling

I'm kind of torn about this one. Momentum is important and a win against Brentford would be the best way to go into the RM tie. I think we also need to finish second in the league rather than suffering a late reversal in position with Forest - and show that we can at least maintain our position despite CL obligations - it's important for our players to feel we have what it takes to compete on multiple fronts. I also feel that you can't necessarily legislate against injury...while overplaying is clearly an issue we are coming to the point in the season where resting players for an individual game won't make much difference in this regard.

That said, Areteta's rotation in the Everton game worked for the first RM tie, and I would like to see some sharing of minutes in key positions. I agree that Timber and Martinelli should be rested, but I think Saka should start with a view to coming off after 60 - he needs to try to progress his match sharpness. I also think Partey should not play the whole game - I've heard that he is the most played Arsenal player this season, incredibly. Also happy for Trossard to play in the Odegard role for at least part of this match.

Will likely be another slog like most league games have been since we bowed out of the title race.

1-1

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Originally Posted by IBK

Momentum is important and a win against Brentford would be the best way to go into the RM tie.

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I think that's proven demonstrably untrue by the fact we got a scrappy draw against Neverton and then went on to wipe out Real

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Originally Posted by IBK

I think we also need to finish second in the league rather than suffering a late reversal in position with Forest - and show that we can at least maintain our position despite CL obligations - it's important for our players to feel we have what it takes to compete on multiple fronts. .

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Second would be nice but if we're fourth and win the CL does anyone really care?

a workmanlike draw would be fine

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Originally Posted by IBK

That said, Areteta's rotation in the Everton game worked for the first RM tie

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Quite, it was a promising development to see him do that and I'd like a continuation, he must see he CL is a real possibility now and grasp with both hands, but it ain't happening without our key players

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Originally Posted by IBK

I agree that Timber and Martinelli should be rested, but I think Saka should start with a view to coming off after 60 - he needs to try to progress his match sharpness. I also think Partey should not play the whole game - I've heard that he is the most played Arsenal player this season, incredibly. Also happy for Trossard to play in the Odegard role for at least part of this match.

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Despite my team selection above (which is obviously something of a slight of fancy) I agree Saka needs some minutes but my preference would be either just the first half or a 25-minute cameo

I don't think Trossard has much to offer in the Ode role and tbh I think we should be trying to Nwaneri in that position, he can't play the way Ode does (which if it means missing out on some of the pointless noodling isn't a bad thing IMO) but for some matches i think it would be a good switch to maybe make us more direct and we should develop the idea of his playing there - or alternatively sometimes having Nwaneri on the left and moving Saka inside - both the FKs the other night were from him coming infield

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Originally Posted by Mac76

0-3 Wissa hatter

we need to rest as many players as possible

ofc it would be a good game to play Neto rather than Raya but, oh wait, he's a loanee from Brentford... :doh:

anyway...

Setford
Nicholls Sweet Kucynski Tierney
Jorg
M'Hand Zin
Kabia NBO Sterling

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He’s a loanee from Bournemouth.

I think Arteta will go with mainly with the Everton lineup.

I think that's ok for now ( though I'd prefer Rice doesn't have to do the whole 90 mins and Martinelli starts).

Our record in games when having played midweek in the UCL is 5 wins and 5 draws

City (A) - 2-2 (after playing Atalanta)

Southampton (H) - 3-1 (after playing PSG)

Liverpool (H) - 2-2 (after playing Shatkah)

Chelsea (A) - 1-1 (after playing Inter)

West Ham (A) - 5-2 (after playing Sporting)

Everton (H) - 0-0 (after playing Monaco)

Wolves (A) - 1-0 (after playing Dynamo Zagreb)

City (H) - 5-1 (after playing Girona)

United (A) - 1-1 (after playing PSV)

Chelsea (H) - 1-0 (after playing PSV)


Given we’ve been drawing games left, right and centre anyway…I’d say if there’s a hangover effect it’s negligible

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Originally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE

I think Arteta will go with mainly the Everton lineup.

I think that's ok for now ( though I'd prefer Rice doesn't have to do the whole 90 mins).

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Yeah I think I’d want Rice not to start if possible

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Originally Posted by HCZ_Reborn

He’s a loanee from Bournemouth.

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hmm, fair enough, I guess I'm getting mixed up with Raya