Arsenal team news vs Brentford: Predicted XI as Gabriel, Havertz and Jesus picks made

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side will welcome in the new year when they travel to Brentford for the first Premier League match of 2025.

Arteta will still be crossing his fingers that 2025 is the year their league title drought comes to an end, but with a six-point gap between themselves and leaders Liverpool having already opened up, the Gunners can ill-afford any more slip-ups.

A visit to Brentford isn’t the ideal place for Arsenal to kick their year off though, given no side in the Premier League have taken more points at home than the Bees this term.

Ahead of the New Year’s Day clash, Express Sport have predicted who might be in the Arsenal starting XI…

Arsenal predicted XI vs Brentford

Goalkeeper: Raya

Approaching the halfway point in the Premier League season, David Raya sits joint top in the Golden Glove standings, having kept seven clean sheets so far.

If Arteta and Arsenal have any hopes of maintaining their title challenge into the spring, Raya staying fit and on top form will be paramount.

Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly

It’s rinse and repeat at the back for Arsenal from their victory over Ipswich Town earlier this week, which means Myles Lewis-Skelly maintains his spot at left-back.

Riccardo Calafiori was on the bench, but with 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly having caught the eye as he did, Arteta would be harsh to take him out of the side.

No surprises in the other three defensive positions, with the usual trident of Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel providing stability at the back, as well as a potent threat from set-pieces down the opposite end.

Midfield: Rice, Odegaard, Merino

Hearts were in mouths when Martin Odegaard went down during the game with Ipswich, but the Norwegian was quickly back on his feet.

He should be fit enough to start in midfield on Wednesday night, with his trusty partner Declan Rice beside him.

Given the packed nature of the fixture list, Arteta could look to rotate one or two of his options into the side, with Brentford looking like a decent time to give summer signing Mikel Merino a run out.

Attack: Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli

Kai Havertz should return to his usual centre-forward position in an orthodox-looking Arsenal front three for the Brentford clash.

In Bukayo Saka’s absence, Leonardo Trossard will get another chance to impress off the right, while Gabriel Martinelli is likely to feature on the left-hand side of the attack.

It means no spot in the starting XI for Gabriel Jesus, who failed to impress when played from the off against Ipswich.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Odegaard, Merino; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli