Arsenal host Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night as they bid to extend their lead at the top of the table back to five points
Ryan Taylor
09:56, 03 Dec 2025Updated 09:57, 03 Dec 2025
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta is expected to be without at least four Arsenal stars against Brentford
Bukayo Saka was not spotted in Arsenal's training picture gallery ahead of tonight's clash against Brentford.
The Gunners have posted a series of training images on their website ahead of facing the Bees and while it's still possible that Saka did train, he wasn't captured on camera.
The same also applies to back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, however, it must be noted that the majority of pictures are of the club's outfield players on the grass.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal's four injured stars - William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes - were also absent.
Speaking during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Mikel Arteta indicated that both Saliba and Trossard were unlikely to be available to face Brentford.
Saliba missed Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea with a knock while Trossard is battling a calf problem sustained in the 3-1 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich one week ago.
Meanwhile, both Havertz and Gabriel remain "weeks away" from a return to action due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.
There is a firm chance Arteta could shuffle his pack tonight and relish the chance to rotate his starting XI.
Martin Odegaard is pushing for his first start since suffering a knee injury against West Ham in early October while Noni Madueke is also in contention for his first start since facing Manchester City in September. In defence, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Ben White all trained. In midfield, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri were all pictured.
Bukayo Saka applauds
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Arsenal fans are sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka as he was not spotted in the club's pre-Brentford training picture gallery(Image: Getty Images)
In attack, Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman all trained which indicates Arteta is not short of options even if Saka is unavailable.
Gyokeres is out to prove he is ready to start for the first time since he netted the opener on November 1 in the 2-0 win at Burnley.
The Swede was subbed off at the interval due to a muscular strain and returned from the bench at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Arteta says he wants his side to go after the win "like animals" as they prepare for tonight's early kick-off.
He said yesterday: “It’s an opportunity tomorrow at 7.30pm – everybody, 7.30pm – to be at the Emirates, bouncing and putting energy to win the game.
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“7.30pm. Like animals, everybody at the Emirates, to go again and beat Brentford. That’s the opportunity. Vital. Massive.”
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