[Teams] Arsenal vs Brentford: Confirmed lineups as Arteta rests key men

Arsenal take on Brentford at the Emirates Stadium tonight, looking for a win to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City cut Arsenal’s lead to just two points with a thrilling 5-4 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening, so the Gunners are under pressure to respond tonight.

Mikel Arteta has taken the opportunity to rotate his squad and rest some key players after a hectic week that saw Arsenal take on Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in seven days.

David Raya once again retains his place between the sticks, but a change takes place at right back, with Jurrien Timber getting a well-deserved breather. Ben White will be given a chance to impress after losing his place at right-back.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes remain on the treatment table, so Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie once again occupy the centre-back positions after both impressed for Chelsea last time out.

Riccardo Calafiori retains his place at left back, so Myles Lewis-Skelly remains on the bench. Martin Zubimendi again anchors the midfield, while Declan Rice partners the Spaniard in the middle of the park.

Martin Odegaard comes in after making a cameo off the bench on Sunday after returning to fitness. Eberechi Eze is given alongside Bukayo Saka after the English duo started in each of Arsenal’s last three games.

Leandro Trossard remains on the sidelines, so Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli will start on the wings tonight. Mikel Merino retains his place up front, with Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus both on the bench.

These are the setups:

Arsenal

Raya, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Merino.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Eze, Saka, Jesus, Gyokeres

Brentford

Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Pinnock, Van den Berg, Henry; Jensen, Yamroliuk, Janelt; Too bad, Ouattara.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Collins, Arthur, Henderson, Onyeka, Damsgaard, Donovan, Thiago, Lewis-Potter