"Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have eventually been forced to settle for a single point away at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, Mikel Arteta's men are in the midst of what has become a real fairytale. Despite ending the 2025/26 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, the Gunners are almost universally regarded as the standout title contender this time around. Opening the midweek fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack, Arsenal will be looking to make another statement here. Cruising their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket and winning all of their first five European appearances by an aggregate score of 14-1, Arteta's high-flying squad have rightfully received a fearsome reputation from across the continent."
"Picking up a muscle injury while away with Brazil during November's international break, defensive talisman Gabriel Magalhães will once again miss out here. Likewise, former Chelsea star Kai Havertz remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue and will play no part here. However, making a pair of cameo appearances off the bench over the past week, skipper Martin Odegaard will get some more minutes under his belt. Bagging a second-half equaliser away at Chelsea over the weekend, Mikel Merino should once again be deployed in a false nine role."
Arsenal enter the midweek match against Brentford as clear favourites, aiming to widen a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The team has impressed domestically and in Europe, securing a Champions League knockout berth and dominating early continental fixtures. Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz are sidelined through injury, while Martin Odegaard has returned from the bench and Mikel Merino is expected to operate as a false nine. Brentford have defied relegation predictions, recently beating Burnley 3-1 and climbing into the top half under Keith Andrews. Betting markets favour Arsenal to win, best odds 4/11.
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