Arsenal travel to Brentford in Premier League action on Thursday evening as they seek to take another important step towards the Premier League title (8pm)
Ryan Taylor
16:00, 10 Feb 2026
Mikel Arteta Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal travel to Brentford on Thursday night
Mikel Arteta has been handed plenty of food for thought ahead of Arsenal's Premier League trip across London to Brentford.
The Spaniard is looking to ensure his side take another important step towards the title when Arsenal travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to square off with the Bees.
Arsenal are fresh from Saturday's 3-0 win over Sunderland but the impact of substitutes Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli means the two forwards are now pushing for starts.
David Raya will undoubtedly keep his place in goal while Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are all staples in defence.
Riccardo Calafiori should also start after helping the Gunners keep a third successive clean sheet against Sunderland but Piero Hincapie previously impressed in the 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg triumph over Chelsea.
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In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice remain undroppable while Kai Havertz is pushing to keep his place in the side following another impressive outing against the Black Cats.
He was withdrawn on 67 minutes after registering another assist and it's not yet a given that Martin Odegaard will be back from injury.
Havertz should start while in attack, there's a chance Arteta could well shuffle his pack. Gabriel Jesus led the line last week but Gyokeres' brace from the bench means he should return to the starting XI.
No Premier League player has mustered more goals across all competition than the Swede (six) in 2026. Gyokeres is in red-hot form and will be relishing the chance to continue his purple patch in west London.
Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres
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Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres are both pushing to start against Arsenal
On the left, Arteta is also facing a dilemma as he awaits news on Leandro Trossard's fitness after the Belgian was subbed against Sunderland.
He went to ground off the ball and was swiftly subbed, though he didn't go down the tunnel for treatment which suggests Trossard may just have been suffering from fatigue.
It's a good chance to bring Martinelli back into the starting XI anyway and he was on target in this same fixture last season.
The Brazilian has shown a good attitude in recent weeks and made an impact from the bench when he has not made the starting XI.
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On the right, Noni Madueke should start if Bukayo Saka is not quite yet ready to return from injury.
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