Brentfordvs.Arsenal

The all-capital clash sees the Gunners travel to a ground where their opponents have picked up a staggering 22 points this season - not even Liverpool can beat that total - while finding the back of the net an unprecedented 26 times.

As exceptional as Brentford's home exploits have been throughout the campaign so far, Arsenal are fond of a goal-laden performance on the road, making English football history with a handful of merciless away performances in 2024.

The Gunners became the first team in English top-flight history to score five or more goals in six away matches in a single calendar year, and Germany international Kai Havertz was often in the thick of the action.

The former Chelsea man was responsible for the Gunners' last goal of 2024, getting onto the end of Leandro Trossard's cross and sealing a 1-0 success over Ipswich Town on December 27, where he started in a deeper midfield role again.

Why Havertz should start up front for Arsenal at Brentford

Havertz had to be content with the left eight role in order to accommodate Gabriel Jesus, who unsurprisingly reprised his role up front after netting five goals in back-to-back matches against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup and Premier League.

However, the Brazilian struggled to impose himself against a compact Ipswich defence, and while he may experience more joy against a more expansive Brentford side, Arteta has a couple of good reasons to consider demoting him.

Havertz took up a typical poacher's position to score the winner against Ipswich, and the 25-year-old has developed a penchant for standout performances in London derbies, having a direct hand in eight goals in his last eight such games.

Havertz has scored six goals of his own while providing two assists in that timeframe, directly contributing to a goal in his last three London derbies in the top flight against Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

It seems a shame to force the German to occupy an engine room role at the Gtech Community Stadium given his predatory instincts and affinity for scoring against fellow teams from the capital, not to mention his winner in this exact fixture last season.

Furthermore, Arteta dropping Jesus to the bench and moving Havertz to the number nine role would open the door for an out-and-out midfielder to come into the starting XI, which could be crucial to Arsenal's chances of success if their recent defensive streak is anything to go by.

Arsenal struggling to keep clean sheets on the road

After recording nine clean sheets in 10 Premier League away games between February 11 and September 15, Arsenal have now conceded at least one goal in each of their last seven top-flight matches on enemy territory.

Chelsea, Bournemouth, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Newcastle United have all breached Arsenal's defence in that time, spelling optimism for Brentford and their well-documented proclivity for scoring at home.

Rather than going for the attack-minded midfield of Havertz, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, an enforcer such as Thomas Partey would help to plug any gaps, and even a Jorginho could allow Arsenal to slow down the tempo and suck the life out of Brentford's attacks.

With Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling still in the treatment room, the only attacking player among Arteta's substitutes In Arsenal's victory over Ipswich was Ethan Nwaneri. If the Gunners boss wants another offensive option on the bench who can change the complexion of a game, Jesus surely fits the bill.

Written by

Ben Knapton