Arsenal must first take on Brentford in the Premier League before turning their attention to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The Gunners are in high spirits after a dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg, making them strong favorites to reach the semi-finals. While their focus may be on the crucial match at the Santiago Bernabeu, they still have a job to do against Brentford.
Football pundits Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Jamie Carragher have shared their predictions for the game, but there is some disagreement.
Brentford, under Thomas Frank, have proven to be a tough opponent, capable of pulling off surprises in the Premier League. Arsenal experienced this firsthand when they lost to the Bees in the opening game of the 2021/22 season. However, in recent encounters, the Gunners have dominated, winning their last four league meetings while scoring seven goals and conceding just two.
Keane and Wright back Arsenal to secure another win, while Carragher and Neville are more cautious, suggesting that Mikel Arteta may rotate his squad.
Here’s how their discussion unfolded on the Stick to Football podcast:
Keane: They’ll still win, won’t they? They’ve got momentum. 2-1?
Wright: Yeah, 2-1 Arsenal.
Neville: Arsenal might rest quite a few players, right?
Carragher: Yeah, 1-1. I see a 1-1 draw.
Neville: I agree. That sounds about right.
Keane: No chance, no chance.
Should Arsenal rotate their squad against Brentford?
Injuries have plagued Arsenal this season, with four key players ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Arteta has yet to have a fully fit squad at his disposal, making player management crucial ahead of the Real Madrid clash.
To minimize injury risks, it would be wise to rest key figures like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Jurrien Timber. Giving Mikel Merino a break could also be beneficial ahead of the decisive Champions League showdown.
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