Arsenal take on Brentford in the Premier League this evening with the Gunners aiming to make it 12 games unbeaten in all competitions. However Mikel Arteta’s side will have to try and get the three points without two of their main players in Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.
It was already known before the match that Bukayo Saka would be unavailable after undergoing surgery on the hamstring injury he picked up against Crystal Palace. Other known absentees include Raheem Sterling, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White.
However seeing no Kai Havertz in the starting line-up was a big surprise. Tonight will be the first game the German has missed through injury/illness since moving to North London.
Another surprise was to see Declan Rice starting on the bench. However we understand there is no injury involved, which will be a huge sigh of relief for the Arsenal fans. The midfielder isn’t fully fit and that’s the reason Mikel Arteta has decided to rest him tonight.
Ethan Nwaneri makes his first Premier League start for Arsenal, in a ground where he holds fond memories. The Hale End graduate made his debut at Brentford when he was just 15-years-old, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League game. It’s a big night for the 17-year-old.
Despite the absentees, the Gunners will still believe they have enough quality to get the job done at the Gtech Community Stadium this evening. A win would take Arsenal to within six points of league leaders Liverpool.
