Brentford kick off 2025 with a visit from third placed Arsenal on New Years’ day. The questions being asked less to do with the calibre of the Gunners and more as to whether The Bees have anybody left to select.
A lot has gone on in the last few days. Manchester United’s utter incompetence, Chelsea missing out on the chance to make ground on Liverpool, Nottingham Forest going second and even the much-loved Neal Maupay once again doing what he does so well. It’s fair to say that the world of football is the gift that keeps on giving. So much so that it now seems an eternity since The Bees drew 0-0 at Brighton.
That game, one which will be remembered less for Brentford coming home with a point and more João Pedro’s attempted assault on Yehor Yarmoliuk. Pretty much the entire football family, those from Brighton aside, since coming together in unanimous condemnation of both VAR and a player who can count himself very lucky not to have received an immediate red card. Not even Maupay received this much flak for his jibe at Everton.
Instead we’ve all been left chewing over the detritus of a decision which, quite frankly, should have been made on pitch. Let alone after time had been taken for a considered review. Utterly baffling.
Fortunately, João Pedro missed from close range with the target wide open (seemingly, Brighton’s theme for the night) and The Bees survived without further players being added to the injury list. As it was, Ben Mee and goalkeeper Mark Flekken both had to be subbed out leaving Thomas Frank’s group of fit players looking thinner than a 90’s super-model.
The Bees’ Head Coach used Monday’s press conference to confirm that Ben Mee has a minor muscle injury and will be out for a couple of weeks whilst Mark Flekken is “hopefully available”. Despite his prognosis being more positive it is still too early to say he will play against Arsenal.
On the plus side Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jensen will both be in the squad. Whether either is in a position to start remains to be seen but, if not, it leaves Nathan Collins as the only fit centre back from the regular starting XI. If Sepp doesn’t begin then it will be in at the deep end for Kim Ji-Soo, who came on at Brighton.
In regards to the goalkeepers, I can’t see Thomas taking any risks. Mark Flekken has been in outstanding form this season, with only Mikkel Damsgaard ahead of him in the game by game player of the season review. Hákon Valdimarsson looked more than comfortable in the hour or so he played at The Amex with Thomas telling the press that Iceland’s number one “Will be more than ready for his first Premier League start, if needed. He did very well against Brighton and I was very pleased with his performance.”
As such, and for what it’s worth, The Bees will likely line up with two at the back and a starting XI of: Valdimarsson, Roerslev, Collins, van den Berg, KLP, Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard, Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Kevin Schade looked a little off the pace at Brighton but his hat-trick heroics at the Gtech in the 4-2 humping of Newcastle earlier in the month are worthy of another chance.
As for Arsenal, they are third for a reason. Their squad is to die for and they haven’t lost in the league since going down to Newcastle at the start of November. The only slight positive for Bees fans being the absence of Bukayo Saka who will now be out for two months. The England international aside, it looks ‘as was’ on the fitness front for Arsenal. The main decisions for Mikel Arteta being tactical.
Specifically, does he go for it in pursuit of Nottingham Forest or adopt a more cautious approach given Brentford’s well-documented home form? Regardless of which option he picks, Arsenal have the personnel available to make this one seem a done deal – at least, to those looking in. I would also accept – at least, on paper.
Football doesn’t work like that though. Just ask Chelsea and Ipswich. Whilst Thomas Frank may have challenges on the fitness front, those he does pick have more than enough ability to give anybody a run for their money. Only four points have been dropped at The Gtech all season and it is sure to be a cauldron of noise when the teams walk out at 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Most neutrals will see this as nothing more than an away win but The Bees have more than enough about them to continue their fine home form. Bryan Mbeumo (whose prospective sale Thomas Frank laughed off) is chasing down those at the business end of the Premier League goal scorers chart, Mikkel Damsgaard ripping up trees through the middle and KLP having the time of his life. If Brentford spark, they can beat anybody.
Bring it on and see you there.
