Thomas Frank does not expect that the distraction from the Champions League will offer its Brentford any respite against Arsenal on Saturday.
This Premier League match falls between the two legs of Arsenal's European quarter-final draw against Real Madrid.
The men of Mikel Arteta won 3-0 at home with the defensive European champions on Tuesday, so that they were brought in pole position before the return match next Wednesday.
With Liverpool, closer to completing the league title, the second placed Arsenal can be tempted to let some stars rest with one eye on Madrid.
Bukayo Saka, who was excellent against Los Blancos, only recently returned from an injury and would seem like an obvious candidate to enjoy a break.
Yet Brentford -Baas Frank does not anticipate a change in the game of Arsenal, even if the staff is different.
“Whatever players they have, they will be good players,” he said.
Thomas Kent Ball pic.twitter.com/ffwqezfqux
– Brentford FC (@brentfordfc) 10 April 2025
“They play the same style, with the same principles, regardless of who is on the field. There are a few positional changes, but the overall structure and principles will be the same.”
Brentford has been strong away from home lately and won five in a row before he lost to Newcastle United last week, but their last victory in Arsenal came back in 1938.
Frank knows that he must take the opposition into account as he prepares the bees.
“I would like to play as offensive as possible,” he said, “but we have to defend a little against Arsenal!
“Hopefully we can be in the middle and high pressure as much as possible.”
Players to watch
Arsenal – Bukayo Saka
Brentford will hope that Saka is one of the equipped, because he has hit the ground on his return of an injury and also likes to play London rivals.
He was directly involved in 15 goals in his last 17 derby's in the capital, scored eight and assists seven.
Brentford – Christian Norgaard
While Saka plays against all capital clubs, Norgaard saves his best for Arsenal.
Of the six Premier League goals that Brentford has detected against the Gunners, Norgaard was involved in three, scored twice and assistes once.
He had scored in back-to-back-road competitions for the defeat of Newcastle too.
Match forecast – Arsenal Win
Arsenal has won five of their last six Premier League matches against Brentford, who attracts the other, to ensure that the defeat in the bees' debut season is now strong in the past.
The Gunners have also won 12 of their last 15 London derby's and have only lost once and score five or more goals in five of them.
So while Madrid's tie up, Brentford can still be relieved to get away without a heavy defeat. However, they won their last two Derbies in London.
Opta wins probability
Arsenal – 56.4%
Drawing – 22.9%
Brentford – 20.7%
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