Viktor Gyokeres is predicted to start for Arsenal against Brentford in Thursday’s Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium
06:00, 12 Feb 2026
Bukayo Saka could make his return to action against Brentford on Thursday evening
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Bukayo Saka could make his return to action against Brentford on Thursday evening(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Brentford today, looking to respond to Manchester City’s clash with Fulham. The Premier League title race is heating up, and the pressure is growing each week, swelling around the North London side as it seeks to end this 22-year wait for the top prize.
Mikel Arteta has some selection decisions to make, but has the benefit of knowing that the weekend’s FA Cup game is a favourable home tie against a lower league opposition: Wigan Athletic. However, that does not mean there could be changes to the side that won 3-0 over Sunderland.
Two of the three goals were scored by a substitute, and another who came on set up the third goal too. Arteta has a squad which is performing from the start, while his “finishers”, as he calls them, are also delivering regularly.
With that said, here is how football.london believes Arteta will select for his Arsenal starting XI...
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David Raya
The Spanish keeper kept yet another clean sheet last weekend against Sunderland, taking his tally to 13, which is four clear of his nearest competitor.
Jurrien Timber
Nominated at the London Football Awards for player of the year, it says it all about just how good and important the Dutchman is for Arsenal.
William Saliba
The Frenchman has hit a new vein of good form, and it comes at the perfect time for a battle with the in-form Igor Thiago.
Gabriel
The Brazilian will also be on Thiago duty, looking to lock down the forward, who will be without his strike partner Kevin Schade, who is suspended.
Piero Hincapie
Replacing the shaky looking Riccardo Calafiori who endured a difficult afternoon against Sunderland and the Ecuadorian has been a safer pair of feet lately.
Martin Zubimendi
Another goal, taking his tally to six, the most of any season at the top level for the Spaniard, and he could be looking for another in West London on Thursday.
Declan Rice
A mainstay in the team and will perhaps be run more than ever against a Brentford team who love to transition and hit on the counter.
Eberechi Eze
With Kai Havertz injured it makes sense that Eberechi Eze comes back in, however there is also a chance Martin Odegaard makes his return too which is well-timed considering the recent issues with the German.
Bukayo Saka
There is a chance that Bukayo Saka could be involved in this game, the winger is understood to be ahead of schedule in his return to action and if he passes a late fitness check could indeed come into the side. Arteta's pre-match press conference failed to rule out a return for the winger which, historically, has been telling.
Viktor Gyokeres
The form of the Swede has finally been found with eight goal contributions in his last eight games and looks almost undroppable, what a turnaround.
Leandro Trossard
A doubt for the game, but hopefully, he should shake off whatever it was that had been troubling him against Sunderland to play in this game.
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