Arsenal set for back-to-back London derbies as Brentford visits.
Arsenal vs. Brentford kicks off at 19:30 [GMT] on Wednesday, December 3, at the Emirates.
It’s back-to-back London derbies for Arsenal [WWDWD] as they host Brentford following the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. The Gunners continue to build momentum while the Bees search for stability on the road. Since losing their first-ever Premier League meeting with Brentford back in August 2021, Arsenal have established a strong grip on this fixture, going unbeaten in their last seven matches against the Bees (W5 D2). The home dominance stretches further back historically—Brentford are winless in their last seven away games against Arsenal in all competitions, failing to claim victory at Arsenal since a 2–0 league win way back in April 1938. Mikel Arteta’s side enter the contest with impressive form in evening kick-offs. Arsenal have won 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches that kicked off at 7pm or later (D2). Their only defeat in that sequence was a home London derby loss to West Ham in December 2023, a result that will remind the Gunners not to take anything for granted despite their strong record. Arsenal’s home form has also been particularly sharp. They have won six of their last seven Premier League fixtures at the Emirates (D1), including each of the last three. Another victory here would mark their first run of four consecutive home league wins since between April and August 2024. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Viktor Gyökeres in attack is expected against Brentford.
Brentford, meanwhile, enter this clash with a worrying pattern in both midweek and away performances. The Bees have won just one of their last 11 midweek Premier League matches (D3 L7), though that lone win did come in their most recent midweek outing—a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest in May. However, their away form this season paints a darker picture. Brentford have lost five of their six league matches on the road (W1), marking the second consecutive campaign in which they have suffered five defeats in their first six away games. The last time Brentford endured this kind of road struggle in any league season was in 1997–98. Their London derby form is similarly concerning. Brentford have won only four of their last 23 Premier League derbies (D6 L13), and all four of those victories have come against Crystal Palace and West Ham. The Bees have yet to carry that success into matches against the league’s traditional top sides. They will be hoping to do so here when they arrive with the familiar 4—2—3—1 formation having Igor Thiago in attack.