Brentford v Arsenal Preview: The fixture that announced the Bees as more than just a bus stop in Hounslow

Memories of that Friday night in August 2021 are still ripe in the minds of Brentford fans – a 2-0 win in their first game ever in the Premier League over the mighty Arsenal. We caught up with Brentford boss, Thomas Frank, who’s well rested after a trip to Spain and Denmark over the international break.  

“It’s crazy how time flies, but of course, we remember that,” Thomas said. “Because it was the first game in the Premier League and it was against a fantastic club. We are very proud of what all of us have achieved together. We are also very aware that we need to keep pushing, keep improving, and keep doing everything we can to keep being an asset to the Premier League.”

Brentford will be without record-signing Nathan Collins, who’s expected to be out for ‘weeks’. The Irish defender picked up an ankle injury while on international duty. Meanwhile, the Gunners will be without goalkeeper, David Raya, with Premier League rules not allowing on-loan players to feature against their parent club.  

His move from Brentford to Arsenal in the summer raised more than a few eyebrows in North London, with fan favourite, Aaron Ramsdale coming off a fine campaign. And those eyebrows remained raised when Raya soon became Arteta’s preferred choice between the sticks. Thomas Frank, who expects Raya to make his loan move permanent, wasn’t entirely expecting him to become Arsenal’s number 1 so soon. 

“I think Ramsdale is a very good keeper as well. Obviously, I’m biased towards David. I worked with him, I know him inside out, I know what he’s capable of. So, In that sense, it’s not a surprise. But I think Ramsdale is a very good keeper as well, but it’s up to Arteta to take that decision.”  

🔴⚪️ David Raya is unable to face his parent club Brentford… and Arteta has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal for Arsenal.

Last PL game for Ramsdale was on Sept 3 vs Man United. pic.twitter.com/fCXum7M076

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2023

The English international will have his work cut out, with the Bees going into this one on the back of 14 consecutive league wins in London derbies. In addition, Brentford have won their last two home games – scoring three goals in each of those games – while Arsenal have lost their last two away days. The Gunners may be just one point off the top of the table, but haven’t replicated the free-flowing football from last season. 

Nonetheless, Thomas Frank acknowledges the ‘very impressive’ work done by Mikel Arteta who is set for his 200th appearance in the Arsenal dugout. 

“We know they’re very tough,” Frank added. “That night, that team (from August 2021), and the team we’re facing tomorrow – they’ve definitely been on an upward trajectory. And there’s been a big development in the team and the level, so it’ll be an even bigger task tomorrow to do it. We know we are good at home, we know in general that we fear nobody, and respect everyone.”