Brentford vs Arsenal: Premier League team news and prediction

Premier League football returns tonight as Brentford welcome Arsenal across the capital to kick off the 2021/22 season. The Premier League newboys will hope to upset the odds in this London derby and kick off their debut campaign in style. 

Ahead of this clash, we provide all the necessary pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs... 

When is kick off?     

Friday 13th August, 20:00 GMT     

Where is the match?     

Brentford Community Stadium, London 

What TV channel is it on?     

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event 

2020/21 Season Recap 

Having lost the playoff final to Fulham last year, Brentford went one better earlier in the summer as they secured their Premier League spot at Swansea's expense back in May. First half goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes saw the Bees earn a fairly routine victory at Wembley to land their place in the Premier League for the first time in their history. 

Arsenal missed out on European football for the first time in 26 years as they finished eighth in England's top tier last term, one place and one point behind rivals Tottenham. The Gunners did end the season with the third best defensive record in the division, conceding just 39 goals, and they'll hope to make a prolonged push for a top-six finish, starting with their trip across the capital tonight. 

Team News 

Thomas Frank will hope to have star striker Ivan Toney fully fit and firing on all cylinders in west London tonight. Toney missed Brentford's final pre-season game and after scoring 33 league goals term, Frank needs the 25-year-old available for selection. However, Josh DaSilva and Mathias Jensen both sit out the welcome of the Gunners. New arrivals Kristoffer Ajer and Frank Oneya are both hoping to play some part in this London derby, though only the former may start. 

Another high-profile centre-back arrival is expected to debut at the Brentford Community Stadium tonight with Ben White set to start alongside Pablo Mari. That's because Gabriel is unavailable and Rob Holding is a fitness concern for Mikel Arteta, with the former joining Thomas Partey on the sidelines. Summer arrival Albert Sambi Lokonga is set to make his league debut alongside Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka as Arteta looks to pack the midfield in the absence of forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the pair absent through illness.  

Probable XIs

Brentford (3412) - Raya; Jansson, Ajer, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Norgaard, Canos; Fosu-Henry; Mbeumo, Toney

Arsenal (433) - Leno; Chambers, White, Mari, Tierney; Xhaka, Elneny, Lokonga; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe

Key Battle: Bryan Mbuemo vs Bukayo Saka 

While Ivan Toney has been the focus of attention for Brentford on the back of their promotion, Bryan Mbuemo is another dangerman at Thomas Frank's disposal. The Frenchman had a direct hand in 18 league goals for the Bees in 2020/21, notching 10 assists, and with six of those for Toney, the dynamic duo will hope to pick up where they left off against the Gunners.

Bukayo Saka may have only recently returned to training following England's Euro 2020 campaign, yet in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 19-year-old could be thrust back into action earlier that expected as a patchwork Gunners frontline seek to fire Arteta's side to an opening day victory.

Score Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Arsenal