**By Danong and 1970s Gooner**
**Arsenal return to action with a short trip across London to the G-Tech Community Stadium, where they face Brentford.**
**Having watched Manchester City ruthlessly dispatch Fulham 3-0 on Wednesday night, the Gunners head into this clash highly motivated to secure all three points.**
**For Mikel Arteta and his side, nothing less than victory will do as they look to re-establish their six-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table.**
**History favours Arsenal in this fixture. In the last five meetings, the league leaders have claimed four wins and drawn the other, a record they will be eager to extend with another convincing performance tonight.**
**However, Arteta must do so without some of his key players. Mikel Merino remains sidelined, Kai Havertz is out with a muscular issue.**
**In addition Leandro Trossard is nursing a cramp and Bukayo Saka remains a doubt. The possible return of Martin Ødegaard, though, may offer a significant boost.**
**However if the above players are only ready to be on the bench then I** **will expect Arteta to still field a formidable line-up and he could do it if he goes with:**
**Raya**
**Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori**
**Zubimendi, Rice, Eze**
**Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli**
**On paper, this XI should have enough to deal with the Bees, who have been quietly impressive under Keith Andrews.**
**However if the returning players are ready to start then the starting line up will be fantastic:**
**Raya**
**Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori**
**Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard**
**Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard**
**Seventh in the table, Brentford have defied expectations. Many anticipated they would struggle following the departures of manager Thomas Frank and key players Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.**
**Yet, Andrews, once the club’s set-piece coach, has inspired a resurgence. With Igor Thiago leading the line, Brentford have rediscovered their bite, recently stunning fellow title contenders Aston Villa.**
**That result serves as a timely warning: Arsenal must bring their A-game to avoid any slip-ups that could embolden City in the title race.**