(4-2-3-1) Lewis Skelly and Nwaneri to starts”, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Brentford – as Arteta makes sterling decision

When Arsenal visit Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on January 1, Riccardo Calafiori could finally make his first start at left-back.

The player returned from injury to participate for 32 minutes of the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on the 21st of December, whereby he notched an assist, but was handed a complete rest on the 1-0 victory against Ipswich Town six days later.

Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches have seen Myles Lewis-Skelly feature, but the young left-back may miss out for Calafiori because of the schedule ahead for the Gunners.

The list of absences Arsenal have for this match against Brentford includes a few other players, heading with Bukayo Saka, as fitness uncertainty hangs above Raheem Sterling.

Speaking at a press conference, Arteta has provided an injury update on both of them for their battle with the Bees. ‘Saka had a procedure. ‘Everything went well. However, he must be absent for many, many weeks. ‘Regarding Raz, I believe the news is positive. We have to monitor this week how it develops But that’s what we expected, the knee injury which will probably take longer than actually the way the knee is evolving in the last few days. So, hopefully that’s good because we need him.’

To face Brentford, Arsenal will miss the services of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu for injuries suffered as the north London clubs carry their Premier League title chase on.

Predicted Arsenal XI to face Brentford
Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard